Ezekiel 30:20 – 31:18; 2 Kings 25:4-7; Jeremiah 52:7-11; Jeremiah 39:1-7; 2 Kings 25:8-21

Then it happened. Finally, but almost anti-climatically. The walls of Jerusalem were breached by the siege weapons of the mighty Babylonians. All who came before them failed. The Assyrians even lost 185,000 men in one night at the hand of the Angel of the LORD when victory seemed assured. These walls had been a source of security for the people who lived there, for kings and princes and even for the people of the countryside. As long as Jerusalem remained free there was hope for Judah. Then, it happened.

When it happened the soldiers fled out of an unguarded gate, but they didn’t get far. The king fled, but he didn’t get far. Sure enough, several enemies of Judah had seen the backs of her soldiers fleeing the battlefield before. When the sin that caused their defeat was discovered and repented, the LORD would give them victory again. This was different. None of her enemies had seen the army of the king of Judah flee out of the protective walls of Jerusalem. Most importantly, the LORD was standing aside as it all happened. He would not have answered, but the fact remains they didn’t even call out to Him.

When it happened, the looting soldiers went for the riches of the temple. Solomon’s temple. One of the most glorious structures of the age. Tons of gold and silver, massive beams of cedar and finely crafted stones were at the mercy of pillagers. The priests were taken away and killed. All of the wealth carried to Babylon. Sure enough, previous kings of Judah had plundered treasure from this place to pay tribute to foreign kings. This was different. None of the foreign kings ever saw their soldiers enter the outer court, the Holy Place or the Holy of Holies where the Spirit of Yahweh dwelled. Nebuchadnezzar’s men did not see Yahweh or die when they entered the Holy of Holies behind the veil. Why? Because Yahweh lived there no longer.

When it happened, it was simply over. Years and years of warnings from a succession of prophets fell on faithless ears. Who needs God? We have the massive stone walls of Jerusalem that have never been breached. Who needs God? We have the most beautiful temple the world has ever seen. When it was over it all went away so quickly. A few were left to tend vineyards, but most went to Babylon as spoils of war. Yahweh Elohim Shaddai, the LORD God Almighty had brought them out of bondage … but to bondage they now returned. It was over.

I think on the words of Jesus who warns that His return will be like a thief in the night. He chides the wavering listeners with the truth that if the homeowner knew what night the thief would come he would prepare. Jesus said the only recourse is to be prepared today. Stay awake and alert, because you simply will not know when it’s over … until it’s over.

Consider His nature.  Consider His ways.  Strive to love Him more!