Coastal cities are given plenty of notice when a hurricane is advancing in their direction. Meteorologists can accurately predict the destructive force of the storm and the precise moment it will hit. Evacuations are completed by the time the wind and rain begin pummeling the coastland. But afterwards, when folks go back to survey the damage, they are still appalled. They knew it was coming, they knew its danger, and yet they look in horror at its devastation. So it is with the end of Judah as described in 2 Kings 24. The prophets of the LORD had clearly proclaimed that judgment was coming. They warned that it would be severe and irreversible. Yet when it actually happens—as the city of Jerusalem is reduced to a pile of smoking ruins and God’s people are dragged off into exile-how can we not feel the horrible pain and sadness of it all? The last reforming king, Josiah, made a major mistake when he unnecessarily confronted the king of Egypt in 609 BC. Josiah not only lost, but lost his life, while still a relatively young man. His son Jehoahaz became the next king, but his reign lasted a mere three months, until he was captured and transported to Egypt, where he died. The Egyptian king installed another son of Josiah on the throne, Jehoiakim, who ruled for eleven years (23:28-37). By this time, Judah was facing pressure from both Egypt (in the south and west), and Babylon (in the north and east). Babylon eventually got the upper hand, defeating the Egyptians in 605 BC, and forcing Judah to pay tribute to their growing empire. But in 601 BC, Jehoiakim rebelled. In response, King Nebuchadnezzar sent his powerful army to besiege Jerusalem in 598 BC. Jehoiakim died, and was succeeded by his son Jehoiachin, who reigned for three months before surrendering to Babylon in 597 BC. The king and queen, along with all the nobility, men of valor, leading craftsmen, and priestly aristocracy are transported 700 miles away to Babylon. And Zedekiah, Jehoiachin’s uncle, is installed as a caretaker king back in Judah (24:1-20). Repeatedly, the writer emphasizes that all this took place under the sway of a sovereign and faithful God, who was surely fulfilling His Word. The sins of Judah had exhausted the LORD’s patience during Manasseh’s wicked reign, and Nebuchadnezzar became a rod of discipline in the LORD’s hand. God is always faithful to His Word, even in judgment. Forgiveness was not even an option now, for the nation had placed itself beyond such hope, and “the LORD would not pardon” (v 3-4, 20). For further meditation: