There was 70 yrs. of silence from God since the martyrdom of Isaiah by King Manasseh. Zephaniah was the last chance prophet who warned that the day of the Lord is near(1:7) to the Southern Kingdom during King Josiah's time. It may seem as a repetition, but the truth is, the sins that the Jews committed after countless warnings, have become a part of us, woven into our lives, thinking it's all but normal. Sounds very familiar.

God poured out His indignation & anger on Jerusalem and surrounding nations (3:8) using the Babylonians. After destruction came the purification, a new generation of people who shall seek refuge in the name of the Lord (3:12) Israel's restoration and joy.

What is God's justice for? To destroy us? No, but to cleanse us, have mercy on us through Jesus Christ our Savior. As we hear God's judgement to the "people" who carry his name, it's for us "Christians" to repeatedly examine & correct ourselves. God judges His people because He's preparing us for a time of great rejoicing in that beautiful kingdom (3:17-20). May God bless you!