- Insight from Butler's Daily Bible Reading: Zephaniah—Day of the Lord. Zephaniah was a great-great grandson of King Hezekiah. His theme was the “Day of the Lord”—a time of judgment and fulfillment of Divine rule. His messages here speak of the things that will occur in the “Day of the Lord.” •Retribution (1:2–18): the calamity of the retribution (great destruction and distress); the cleansing from the retribution (the land of Israel is cleansed of idolatry); the cause of retribution (sin); the certainty of retribution (sinners will be searched out in Jerusalem and money cannot deliver from the wrath of God). •Revenge (2:1–15): judgment is forecast for nations around Judah such as Philistia (cities of Philistia to be destroyed); Moab and Ammon (desolation of their land like Sodom and Gomorrah); Ethiopia (slain with the sword); Nineveh (land to be made desolate). •Rebuke (3:1–7): the people, princes, prophets, and priests are all rebuked for their sinfulness. •Restoration (3:8–20): Israel will be restored, this includes indignation (wrath of God upon the enemies of Israel); purification (Israel will be purified in restoration); jubilation (great joy will come in the restoration); reputation (Israel will be respected by the world).