Ambassadors came from the various nations named to consult with the king of Judah as to the matter of engaging in battle with the king of Babylon. But the prophet of God, bearing the symbols of subjection, delivered the message of the Lord to these nations, commanding them to bear it to their several kings. This was the lightest punishment that a merciful God could inflict upon so rebellious a people, but if they warred against this decree of servitude they were to feel the full rigor of His chastisement. They were faithfully warned not to listen to their false teachers, who prophesied lies. {4T 169.2}

Ambassadører kom fra forskellige nævnte nationer for at rådføre sig med Judæas konge om at gå i krig mod Babylons konge. Men Guds profet, med underdanighedens symboler, afleverede Herrens budskab til disse nationer og påbød dem at bringe det til deres forskellige konger. Dette var den letteste straf som en nådig Gud kunne give et så oprørsk folk, men hvis de kæmpede mod trældommens dekret, skulle de mærke hans revselse allermest. De blev advaret grundigt om ikke at lytte til deres falske lærere, som profeterede løgne.