Zephaniah reveals that only the judgment of God can cleanse Judah of the sins that she has committed. The day of the Lord is coming and the nation must prepare for its salvation. According to the genealogy at the beginning of the book, Zephaniah was active during the reign of King Josiah.

Zephaniah 3

3:2 She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in the LORD; she drew not near to her God.