2 Kings 24–25
A series of weak and ungodly rulers led Judah into ruin as the sins of Manasseh came up for judgment. The consequences of decisions may not appear immediately, but they eventually come. Leaders may forget their decisions, but their decisions will not forget them. “Be sure your sin will find you out” is the sure word of God (Num. 32:23).
The nation had been rotting away at the center for years and was no match for the mighty Babylonian army. The king was captured, the city and temple were destroyed, and the people were taken into captivity. During the period of the judges, God had chastened them in the land; now He would chasten them outside their land. If they wanted to live like the idolaters, let them live with the idolaters.
As they were led off into captivity, do you think any of the people remembered Solomon’s prayer to God (1 Kings 8:46–53) or God’s message to Solomon (
Submit to God
The governor urged the Jews to submit to God’s chastening in Babylon and be good citizens (1 Kings 25:24). The prophet Jeremiah wrote them a letter saying the same thing (