Nebuchadnezzar’s invasion of Jerusalem had begun in 605 B.C. during the reign of King Jehoiakim. The complete fall of Jerusalem happened in 588 B.C. during the reign of King Zedekiah. During the Babylonian army’s siege of Jerusalem there was no food for the people to eat (v. 3). The city wall was broken through, and the king with his whole army attempted to flee at night but the king was captured (vv.4-6). The sons of King Zedekiah were killed before his eyes and then they put out his eyes, bound him with shackles and took him to Babylon (v.7), where he would be executed (v.20). The temple of the Lord and the royal palace and all the houses of Jerusalem and every important building were set afire (v.9). All the sacred articles of the temple were carried off to Babylon (vv. 13-17). The people were carried into exile except for some of the poorest people of the land to take care of the vineyards and fields (vv. 11-12). Judah’s captivity to Babylon was not merely the nation’s military or political failure but God’s judgment upon the nation. His judgment was to thrust them from his presence (24:20). However, God’s servants and prophets would not lose hope but repent of their sins and plea for restoration of the nation (cf. Daniel 9:1-19). The God of Israel was a God of hope.
Application: Father, like the people of Judah, I deserve to be thrust from your presence. But thank you for Jesus who bore all the judgment and punishment for me so that I could live in your presence. You are surely a God of hope and help me to share your hope with others.
One Word: God loves and disciplines us