July 14

Today's Reading: 2 Kings 24:1-20

The fall of Judah to the Babylonians occurred in stages. Here is a brief overview of how that occurred:

• Beginning with the reign of Jehoiakim in 609 BC, the kings of Judah were basically puppet kings under the control of Babylon.
• In 602 BC, Jehoiakim rebelled against Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar quelled the rebellion and took prisoners back to Babylon—Daniel and his three friends among them. 
• In 597, King Nebuchadnezzar besieged the city of Jerusalem. and Jehoiachin gave himself up and was taken back to Babylon along with the vessels of gold from the Temple and many of the prominent and wealthy residents of Jerusalem.
• In 587/586 BC, Nebuchadnezzar completely conquered Jerusalem and took most of the people into exile in Babylon.

Just as He had done with Israel, God had warned His people through the prophets that this would happen if they did not turn back to Him. But they refused to heed those warnings.

Are there any warnings in the Bible that you are refusing to heed? If so, will you confess that to God and genuinely repent?