The inhabitants of the kingdom of Judah didn't learn from the destruction of Samaria, the part that had been separated from them for more than 300 years. They acted like that kingdom and, as a result, would be sent into Babylonian captivity. But first they would suffer enough to know why they hadn't been spared. Many people call themselves Christians but continue to sin. If they don't repent, they will end up in the lake of eternal torment. You have to be born again to enter heaven (John 3).

        The punishments began to afflict them in a heavy and unbelievable way. Even though they had received the divine warning that they would be sent to Babylon, where they would face extremely severe hardship, they did not change their ways. And so they were delivered into the hands of their enemies. The authorities and the people were completely bewildered, until the bad time came and they had to obey their new masters and march into slavery.

         The plague killed many, but the Hebrews didn't believe that their transgressions were responsible for the suffering and didn't even think about turning back to God. After the pestilence, the war broke out, and the sword killed another part of them. Even so, they didn't bother to search the Scriptures to find out how they should proceed. So the heirs of promise were handed over to their master, who held them captive for 70 years with an iron fist.

           Finally, the famine came, and even when they saw their people dying of starvation, they didn't remember the heavenly warnings. And because they didn't repent, they continued to perish. We see the same picture today. Even families who have lost members to the Covid-19 pandemic have forgotten what they suffered. Stray bullets and violence no longer scare them and they remain far from God!

          Judah has not remembered the Lord's Covenant with David, which said that if the children of the beloved king, a man after God's own heart, stopped following the Most High, they would not be protected. They would be handed over to Nebuchadnezzar, ruler of Babylon. They would suffer the worst punishments at the hands of their adversaries. Now, those who have accepted Jesus and served Him with love and dedication must never give in to the threats of the evil one. God is faithful!

         The rebels would be wounded by the sword with no chance of being spared and would not be able to obtain mercy from anyone. That's the way the world is today, which only thinks about carnal pleasures, gaining advantages and accumulating wealth in an honest way or by resorting to corruption and theft.

           The Lord will hold our actions to account. Unfortunately, many people profit from dishonesty and commit evil against the innocent. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or bad (Ecclesiastes 12:14). The country is rich, and wealth needs to be distributed well!

           In Christ, with love,

           R. R. Soares