II Kings 24-25

“For he filled Jerusalem with innocent blood, and the LORD would not pardon” (24:4).  King Josiah had discovered the Law and led the people of Judah in repentance (ch 23), but generations of wickedness by King Manasseh and others could not be erased.  King Josiah’s reforms were sincere, yet the next king, Jehoiakim, again led the people in wickedness.  Therefore, God allowed the Babylonians to invade Judah and destroy Jerusalem. Sadly, just as northern Israel had been conquered by the Assyrians, Judah was conquered by the Babylonians.

“He cast them out from His presence” (24:20).  Unrepentant and repeated disobedience cost Israel their homeland.  God calls us to holiness because He desires to save us from the damages of sin.