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{{DOD-April}}
In the final chapters of II Kings we see that [[God]] keeps His [[Word]] according to His promise, as He brings terrible wrath upon His people in the kingdom of [[Judah]]. [[God]] had called His people out from among the world to worship Him in spirit and truth. The people had violently opposed [[God]], turning away from Him to the [[God]]s of the heathen nations. Therefore, [[God]] pours out His anger and wrath upon them.
These chapters record the people being deported from their land and the city of [[Jerusalem]] being destroyed. The Book of Lamentations records [[Jeremiah]]'s graphic description of the destruction of [[Jerusalem]]. One of the [[Babylon]]ian officers gathered together the nobles that were left and had them slain. All that remained in the land were the poorest people. [[Nebuchadnezzar]] set up a system of governors over the land, making Gedaliah the first governor. Gedaliah established a reasonable amount of safety, [[peace]], and security for those who were left behind; but he was murdered and many of the [[Jews]] fled to [[Egypt]] for safety. Everything [[God]] had given them was taken from them. They had no king on [[David]]'s throne, nor do they have one today. They had no Temple, for it had been burned and its sacred vessels confiscated. Their land was taken from them and they were scattered among the nations. They lost everything, including their national character, until 1948.
The tragic results of [[sin]] can be seen in these chapters. [[God]] will not tolerate [[sin]]--not in the nation of [[Israel]] and not in the lives of individuals. Neither will He tolerate [[sin]] in our nation. As [[Christians]], our lives should demonstrate the [[love]] of Christ within us. We should witness to all those about us and try to draw our nation back to [[God]]. The hope of America lies within the hands of [[Christians]] who are willing to give of themselves to rally this nation back to [[God]].
