Babylon is still being used as the hand of judgement against Israel.
Well, as expected, Zedekiah's rebellion against Babylon was ridiculously ill-conceived and short-lived. Nebuchadnezzar responded with seige, and killing. It reads like a depressing last-ditch effort by Zedekiah to reclaim what was taken, instead losing all. After trying to flee, the royal family was wiped out, the officials of the army and temple and the palace were killed, and all the treasures from the palace and the temple were taken. I wonder if the Babylonians knew about the Philistine's troubles with the ark...if they took it, and it survived the fire.
Babylon's soldiers basically ran in and tore the place down. They set fires and knocked down walls. I imagine there was little resistance. Already weakened by famine and defeat, the inhabitants of Jerusalem were no match for the professional invaders.
I wonder if it would have been any different had Zedekiah consulted God before attacking Babylon. Perhaps he would have been reminded of how one of Joshua's first incursions failed.
Anyway, Nebuchadnezzar puts Gedaliah in charge of Judah, and they assassinate him and run for the hills.
Eventually, Nebucadnezzar's son, Evil-Merodach releases the still-imprisoned Jehoiachin, and seats him at his table, and even gives him an allowance. What's that about? Was Evil-Merodach being good, or condescending? Just seems kind of odd.
Judah and Israel appear to have come to an end. They have no leader. No one has been anointed. And this is because they turned to the right or the left from God's commands. Everything happened as God promised, even if it was bad stuff.
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