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Introduction
Zephaniah 1:2-2:3 (NKJV)1 will be the primary topic of research as it strictly focuses on
the “Day of the Lord.” The “Day of the Lord” will be examined thoroughly according to the
context and characterization of Zephaniah (NKJV)2. The examination of the context will include
the way that the context was communicated to the original audience. The significance of the
“Day of the Lord” in Zephaniah (NKJV)3 will also be examined as it is connected to the topics of
hope and reconstruction. The persistent purpose and applicability of the “Day of the Lord” will
also be applied to the modern audience. Research will be followed by a conclusion, which will
include a brief summary of research as well as further commentary.
The Day of the Lord
1The Holy Bible: Containing Old and New Testaments (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2018).
2The Holy Bible: Containing Old and New Testaments (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2018).
3The Holy Bible: Containing Old and New Testaments (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2018).
2
According to Robert B. Chisholm (2009)4, the “Day of the Lord” is characterized as a
prelude to the upcoming day of judgment. Zephaniah 2:1-3 (NKJV)5 provides the first
admonishment as an epilogue to Zephaniah (NKJV)6’s declaration of the “Day of the Lord”.
Chisholm (2009) stated that the original audience experienced a severe “outbreak of divine
judgment (Chisholm, 2009)7” on the “Day of the Lord”. Zephaniah 1:7-18 (NKJV)8 conveyed the
message, “the Day of the Lord is near (Chisholm, 2009)9.” This message is a message of
judgment upon a sinful nation. Judah and Jerusalem have turned away from God and have begun
worshipping Baal. Therefore, the Lord promised to purge Judah and Jerusalem of Baal worship
completely, including the priests. The original audience responded to Zephaniah (NKJV)10’s
announcement in silence.
Chisholm (2009)11 stated that the “Day of the Lord” is a recurring theme throughout the
Old Testament. Chisholm (2009)12 defined the “Day of the Lord” as the day when God would
intercede in world events to judge those who oppose Him (Chisholm, 2009)13. Chisholm (2009)14
stated that the “Day of the Lord” would include Babylon’s annihilation of Judah in the year 586
B.C. Chisholm (2009)15 stated that Zephaniah (NKJV)16 collated the “Day of the Lord” with an
act of sacrifice, in which God would sacrifice those who worshipped Baal.
Significance and Ultimate Impact
4Robert B. Chisholm, Handbook on the Prophets (Grand rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2009).
5The Holy Bible: Containing Old and New Testaments (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2018).
6The Holy Bible: Containing Old and New Testaments (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2018).
7Robert B. Chisholm, Handbook on the Prophets (Grand rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2009).
8The Holy Bible: Containing Old and New Testaments (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2018).
9Robert B. Chisholm, Handbook on the Prophets (Grand rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2009).
10The Holy Bible: Containing Old and New Testaments (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2018).
11Robert B. Chisholm, Handbook on the Prophets (Grand rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2009).
12Robert B. Chisholm, Handbook on the Prophets (Grand rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2009).
13Robert B. Chisholm, Handbook on the Prophets (Grand rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2009).
14Robert B. Chisholm, Handbook on the Prophets (Grand rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2009).
15Robert B. Chisholm, Handbook on the Prophets (Grand rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2009).
16The Holy Bible: Containing Old and New Testaments (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2018).
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According to Jason S. DeRouchie (2018)17, Zephaniah (NKJV)18’s prophecy is
sosignificant that it was also reiterated in Matthew 3:11, Isaiah 4:2-4, Malachi 3:1-3, 23-24, and
4:5-6 (NKJV)19. In John 4 (NKJV)20, John the Baptist reiterated the prophetic “Day of the Lord”
by describing an upcoming “harvest (v. 35).” According to Greg A. King (1995)21, the “Day of
the Lord” phrase only appears three times in the book of Zephaniah (NKJV)22, specifically in
Zephaniah 1:7 and 14 (NKJV)23. King (1995)24 explored the context of the word “day” as it
appeared in Zephaniah (NKJV)25 as well as other books of the Bible.
Enduring Relevance
17Jason S. DeRouchie, “YHWH’s Future Ingathering in Zephaniah 1:2: Interpreting ףֹסאָ ף ֵסאָ ,” Hebrew Studies 59,
no. 1 (2018): 173–191.
18The Holy Bible: Containing Old and New Testaments (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2018).
19The Holy Bible: Containing Old and New Testaments (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2018).
20The Holy Bible: Containing Old and New Testaments (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2018).
21Greg A. King, “The Day of the Lord in Zephaniah,” The Bibliotheca sacra 152, no. 605 (1995): 16.
22The Holy Bible: Containing Old and New Testaments (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2018).
23The Holy Bible: Containing Old and New Testaments (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2018).
24Greg A. King, “The Day of the Lord in Zephaniah,” The Bibliotheca sacra 152, no. 605 (1995): 16.
25The Holy Bible: Containing Old and New Testaments (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2018).
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According to William R. Osborne (2011)26, God is specifically invested in the judgment
that is involved with reaping and sowing. Osborne (2011)27 stated that God is also personally
involved in utilizing the forces of nature as an act of judgment upon sinful nations. This
judgment was universally depicted as the “Day of the Lord.” Zephaniah 3:8 (NKJV)28 stated
thatthe “Day of the Lord” will affect the entire earth. Osborne (2011)29 stated that the message of
God’s wrath will be followed by a message of hope, salvation, and forgiveness. Osborne (2011)30
stated that the “Day of the Lord” is just as much the day of judgment as it is the day of salvation.
Osborne (2011)31 stated that God is able to spread His judgment throughout the world, but He is
also able to spread His message of salvation. The message of salvation, or the gospel, counters
arrogance and confusion as humility and peace are fruits of the Christian life.
Modern Application
The balance between God’s judgment and God’s grace in the “Day of the Lord” parallels
the gospel message. Ephesians 2:1-10 (NKJV)32 stated that every human being is naturally under
God’s wrath. But God demonstrated His unlimited love, grace, and mercy toward sinful
humanity by sending His only Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross. Jesus experienced the
fullness of God’s anger with unbearable suffering and death. And yet, sinful humanity gets to
experience forgiveness and salvation through faith and trust in Him. Just as Zephaniah (NKJV)33
26William R. Osborne, “The Message of Obadiah, Nahum, and Zephaniah: The Kindness and Severity of God,”
Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 54, no. 3 (September 2011): 620–622.
27William R. Osborne, “The Message of Obadiah, Nahum, and Zephaniah: The Kindness and Severity of God,”
Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 54, no. 3 (September 2011): 620–622.
28The Holy Bible: Containing Old and New Testaments (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2018).
29William R. Osborne, “The Message of Obadiah, Nahum, and Zephaniah: The Kindness and Severity of God,”
Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 54, no. 3 (September 2011): 620–622.
30William R. Osborne, “The Message of Obadiah, Nahum, and Zephaniah: The Kindness and Severity of God,”
Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 54, no. 3 (September 2011): 620–622.
31William R. Osborne, “The Message of Obadiah, Nahum, and Zephaniah: The Kindness and Severity of God,”
Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 54, no. 3 (September 2011): 620–622.
32The Holy Bible: Containing Old and New Testaments (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2018).
33The Holy Bible: Containing Old and New Testaments (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2018).
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Conclusion In conclusion, the “Day of the Lord” is identified as a prophecy of God’s
impending judgment upon Judah and Jerusalem. The crime that warranted God’s impending
judgment upon the two nations of the Middle East was idol worship. Zephaniah (NKJV)34’s
prophecy of judgment was also balanced with the message of salvation and hope. The
significance of Zephaniah (NKJV)35’s prophecy was also reiterated later in the Old Testament,
and it was reiterated again in the New Testament. Osborne (2011)36 differentiated between
individual judgment and collective judgment. The balance between God’s wrath and mercy bears
a strong resemblance to the gospel, in which every Christian is called to testify to in the modern
era. In addition, “reaping and sowing” is an aspect of judgment that implies that every choice and
every deed has a consequence.
But every sinner who repents of sin and trusts in Jesus will only experience judgment in a
positive manner. The reason for this is because the sinner is justified by the blood of Jesus and is
made righteous in the sight of God.
34The Holy Bible: Containing Old and New Testaments (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2018).
35The Holy Bible: Containing Old and New Testaments (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2018).
36William R. Osborne, “The Message of Obadiah, Nahum, and Zephaniah: The Kindness and Severity of God,”
Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 54, no. 3 (September 2011): 620–622.
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Bibliography
The Holy Bible: Containing Old and New Testaments. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2018.
Chisholm, Robert B. Handbook on the Prophets. Grand rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2009.
DeRouchie, Jason S. “YHWH’s Future Ingathering in Zephaniah 1:2: Interpreting ףֹסאָ ף ֵסאָ .”
Hebrew Studies 59, no. 1 (2018): 173–191.
King, Greg A. “The Day of the Lord in Zephaniah.” The Bibliotheca sacra 152, no. 605 (1995):
16.
Osborne, William R. “The Message of Obadiah, Nahum, and Zephaniah: The Kindness and
Severity of God.” Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 54, no. 3 (September
2011): 620–622.
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