The Day of the LORD

The Day of the LORD is mentioned repeatedly by many of the Old Testament prophets. Though it sounds like a reference to a singular day, it is actually more like a mountain range, encompassing a number of days that are part of a larger whole. Zephaniah portrays the day of the Lord as God’s sacrifice by which he satisfies his wrath and gains victory over evil.

This brings up the difficult doctrine of the wrath of God. As unpleasant as this doctrine is, Zephaniah shows us that it is not only necessary, but linked to the love of God. In Zephaniah's day, God's judgment was imminent and inevitable - what could the people do? We cannot avoid the Day of the LORD, but we can be hidden through it by the sovereign grace of God.