The crucial point to be made is that in the canonical process material has been organized about a theological centre.The 'day of Yahweh' theme includes a word of judgment and promise which is directed to Israel and the nations.Because of this overriding eschatological perspective, temporal differences have been transcended.The misunderstanding in the usual application of the historical critical method arises from assuming that each prophetic passage must be interpreted from a specific historical setting.When the canonical process has disregarded historical differences and organized material theologically, the effect of the critical approach is to fragment the book into various editions and thus misunderstand the total witness.Indeed, the historical distinction between the pre- and post-exilic passages of Zephaniah can be highly misleading when disconnected from its canonical function.However, the inner logic of the book is clear once the theocentric starting point of the book is recognized.