V 1–3: ‘THE WORD OF THE LORD’ Zephaniah is to relay ‘the word of the Lord’ to Judah. He is the only prophet of royal descent, with King Hezekiah being one of his ancestors. He starts by announcing to Judah that the land will be consumed and man will be cut off, as well as the animal kingdom, because of Judah’s wickedness. V 4–6: THE JUDGEMENT OF THE LORD He tells God’s people in Judah, and especially the inhabitants of Jerusalem, of His judgement to come because of their idolatrous priests, the worship of the stars, the backsliding of God’s people, and the failure to seek God or enquire of Him. V 7a: ‘THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD’ Judah is told to be silent ‘in the presence of the Lord God’. There is no defence to be made. V 7b–18: ‘THE DAY OF THE LORD’ God’s punishment on His people and on the land will result in crying, wailing, desolation, trouble, distress, devastation, darkness, gloom, alarm, and hopelessness. There will be no defence against God’s wrath.