After hundreds of years of forgiving and giving mercy and time for repentance, enough was enough. The northern kingdom of Israel had been captured by the Assyrians, and now the judgment of God had come for the people of Judah. They would be hauled away by Babylon. It was the judgment of God.
Zedekiah was the King of Judah at the time when Babylon advanced. They murdered his sons right before his eyes, and they took him in chains to Babylon (2 Ki 25:7). They also carried off the treasures of the temple and the people of the land. They also took the time and effort to destroy the walls of the city for its utter destruction. In the end the only people that remained were the poorest of the poor that they could still tend the land.
The Babylonians did leave a leader in place to lead the few poor people that remained. But even that man named Gedalia was killed. In fear of retaliation, the remaining ones took flight to find refuge in Egypt.
Jerusalem was no more.
Unlike the northern kingdom of Israel who had gone into Assyrian captivity and then disappeared even to this day, the kingdom of Judah in the hand of the Babylonians did do well. The Babylonians weren’t as barbaric and let the people live in their land somewhat of a peaceful situation. Even Zedekiah as an old man was pardoned and allowed to eat at the table of the other conquered kings. He was even given an allowance.
But it was over. God has warned them that if they had acted like the people of the land whom the LORD had driven out from Israel, that he would do the same to them. For hundreds of years they acted as if God wasn’t serious. But then he had to be.
It was a sad day for Israel. A sad day for history.
Make no mistake. God is not a push over. He is good and because of he is also just. And because of his justice, he will need to bring judgment if there is not repentance.
Choose repentance while it is still available.
