Jerusalem had all the advantages: the covenant, the prophets, the temple itself -- yet Zephaniah calls it “rebellious and polluted.” God’s own city had grown deaf to his voice. As one Church Father observes, Jerusalem seemed to repent for a time, but its sorrow was shallow, a passing feeling and not a true change of heart. When the words of the prophet grew uncomfortable, it turned away again. Its repentance was like a flickering light that refused to burn steadily.