Zephaniah’s reference to God’s searching almost sounds as though it denies God’s essential characteristic as omniscient, all-knowing. But in fact he is doing precisely the opposite: “He shows God can and will find everything about you. Nothing escapes God’s attention (cp. Psalm 139:1)."1
12 At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps, and I will punish the men who are complacent, those who say in their hearts, ‘The LORD will not do good, nor will he do ill.’