But the weakness of Zedekiah was a crime for which he paid a fearful penalty. The enemy swept down like a resistless avalanche and devastated the city. The Hebrew armies were beaten back in confusion. The nation was conquered. Zedekiah was taken prisoner, and his sons were slain before his eyes. Then he was led away from Jerusalem a captive, hearing the shrieks of his wretched people and the roaring of the flames that were devouring their homes. His eyes were put out, and when he arrived at Babylon he perished miserably. This was the punishment of unbelief and following ungodly counsel. {4T 184.2} | |
Vidnesbyrd for menigheden bind 4 kapitel 17. 184. Fra side 184 i den engelske udgave. | tilbage |
Men Zedekias' svaghed var en forbrydelse han betalte så frygtelig en straf for. Fjenden fejede ned over byen, ligesom en mindre lavine og lagde byen øde. Hebræerhærerne blev slået tilbage i forvirring. Nationen var besejret. Zedekias blev taget til fange og hans sønner blev dræbt for hans øjne. Da blev han ført bort fra Jerusalem som fange og hørte sit ulykkelige folks skrig og flammernes brøl, der opslugte deres hjem. Hans øjne blev stukket ud og da han kom til Babylon omkom han ynkeligt. (185) Dette var straffen for vantro og efterfølgelsen af ugudelige råd. |