“Day of the Lord” An Examination of Zephaniah Chapters 12-14

 Introduction

The Lord stands on the Mount of Olives on the day of battle on the day of the Lord (Zech. 14:3-4). There will be darkness, and men will flee as if being chased by a lion on the day of the Lord (Amos 5:18-19). There will be blood, fires, pillars of smoke, and the moon will be like blood on that day of the Lord (Joe 2:30-31). These are three of the many instances throughout the Scriptures where “the day of the Lord” language is used to communicate the coming of divine judgment. It is this language that the prophet Zephaniah uses to communicate God’s coming judgment in his day (Zeph. 1:7).

The Day of the Lord: Original Audience

As Robert B. Chisholm Jr. notes, the day of the Lord in Zephaniah’s day covers the conquest of Judah by the Babylonians and a worldwide judgment. J. J. M. Roberts connects Zephaniah’s understanding of the day of the Lord to the prophets Amos and Isaiah. This understanding sees the coming judgment as a way for God to refine Jerusalem. Roberts also sees that this transformation of Jerusalem follows the prophet Isaiah in that both prophets proclaim judgment on the ruling classes of the city. Coupled with this judgment, Isaiah and Zephaniah point to God’s ultimate goal to bring about a humble and righteous remnant who will rejoice in the Lord. 

To the first hearers and later readers, the urgency builds as the prophet looks to the day of the Lord, as S.D. Snyman points out. The language of the day of the Lord begins in verse 7 of chapter 1, and by verse 14, the word “great” is added, increasing the significance of this particular judgment of God. The mere sound of that “great day” will be “bitter” to those who hear it. The six phrases that follow in verses 15-16 added to the urgency of that “great day,” with a point being made that no one will be able to escape it. The universal reach of that “great day” can not be missed as it bookends God’s judgment (v.1:2, 18); Judah’s judgment will be complete and long-lasting. 

The Day of the Lord: Hope and Restoration

However, not all is lost; there is a glimmer of hope. Zephaniah calls the people to prepare for the day of the Lord (v.2:3). The people do this by seeking the Lord and being humble. Even then, as David Gunn notes, there is no guaranteed rescue from God, “… only the possibility.” To the first hearers, this is a small ray of light in the darkness that lies ahead; yet it is still hope. The hope continues even through the judgment of the nations. It is “the remnant” who will see the nations brought to justice and who will receive the possession of God’s enemies (v.2:9).

Possessions are not the only things that will come out of the nations’ judgment. False gods and idols will “famish (v.211, [ESV]).” They will be made emaciated to the point where they will no longer exist. Instead, there will only be the worship of the Lord throughout the whole world. The hope that rests ahead of those who turn back to the Lord is that not only will they receive the spoils of the nations, but God will receive the worship that is due him.

The Day of the Lord: Relevance and Application for Today

As VanGemeren rightfully notes, the Israelites would see some fulfillment in the Jewish Diaspora, as there would be God-fearers from the Gentile nations. However, a greater fulfillment in the outpouring of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2). Yet, the complete fulfillment is left to the return of Christ. The New Testament picks up “the day of the Lord” concept and applies it to the bodily return of Jesus, which will come swiftly as a thief (2 Pet. 3:10-11). On that day of the Lord, the heavens will pass away, heavenly bodies will dissolve, and the works done on earth will be exposed. Therefore, Peter calls the disciples of Christ to live holy and godly lives. Jesus’ disciples are to wait for the day, and hasten it by preaching the Gospel (v.11-12).

Therefore, every believer, until the day when the Lord returns, is commissioned to be about the Father’s business. They are to preach Christ’s work on the cross, and proclaim that there is still time to repent and be saved. For God “… is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)” Hope his still available for those who would receive it, yet that time is running out as the world moves closer to the final day of the Lord. On that day, which will come swifter than expected, there will no longer be an opportunity to turn to the Lord, for he will separate the goats and the sheep (Matt. 25:32-33)—one to destruction and one to everlasting life. 

Conclusion

The day of the Lord is not something that will be a joyous time for everyone. For the believer, it is a day in which the Lord will come and set all things right. They will see the one whom they have trusted and rejoice as they enter into his eternal life. Yet for those who do not know the Lord, it will be a day of wailing. They will enter into everlasting punishment, having all that was good ripped away form them as payment for their sin (Rom. 6:23). Therefore, the day of the Lord should be a clarion call to every disciple of Christ not to let the preaching of the Gospel fall to the wayside, but fulfill Christ’s commission until the Lord returns.

Bibliography

Chisholm Jr., Robert B. Handbook on the Prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Minor Prophets. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2002.

Gunn, David, John W. Rogerson, and Anthony Gelston. Eerdmans Commentary on the Bible: Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah. Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2019.

Roberts, J. J. M. Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah: A Commentary. Louisville, KY: Presbyterian Publishing Corporation, 1991.

Snyman, S.D. Nahum, Habakkuk and Zephaniah: An Introduction and Commentary. Lisle, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2020.

VanGemeren, Willem A. “Zephaniah,” In The Baker Illustrated Bible Commentary, edited by Gary M. Burge, and Andrew E. Hill, 891-901. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2012.