In the ninth year of Zedekiah's reign "Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came, he, and all his host, against Jerusalem," to besiege the city. 2 Kings 25:1. The outlook for Judah was hopeless. "Behold, I am against thee," the Lord Himself declared through Ezekiel. "I the Lord have drawn forth My sword out of his sheath" it shall not return any more. . . . Every heart shall melt, and all hands shall be feeble, and every spirit shall faint, and all knees shall be weak as water." "I will pour out Mine indignation upon thee, I will blow against thee in the fire of My wrath, and deliver thee into the hand of brutish men, and skillful to destroy." Ezekiel 21:3, 5-7, 31.

I Zedekias' niende regeringsår "drog kong Nebukadnezar af Babel da med hele sin hær mod Jerusalem" og belejrede byen. 2Kong. 25,1. Situationen var håbløs for Juda. "Se, jeg kommer over dig," sagde Herren ved Ezekiel. "Jeg, Herren, har draget mit sværd af skeden; det skal ikke vende tilbage! ..... Og når de spørger: "Hvorfor stønner du?" så svar: "Over en tidende; thi når den kommer, skal hvert hjerte smelte, alle hænder synke, hver ånd sløves og alle knæ flyde som vand." Jeg vil udøse min vrede over dig, blæse min harmes ild op imod dig og give dig i grumme menneskers hånd, som er mestre i at tilintetgøre. " Ez. 21,3. 5-7. 31.