Jeremiah 21-23: Beyond Hope

There does come a time when God is fed up with his people, with the kings and their followers.  As the Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar, marches on Jerusalem, Zedekiah asks Jeremiah to ask the Lord if he will '"perform wonders for us as in times past so that he will withdraw from us." - Jer. 21:2 NIV

But it is too late, the people have gone too far.  This is the end of the line for Judah.  God tells him that the only hope is to surrender to Nebuchadnezzar, but no matter what they do, Jerusalem is lost.   "People from many nations will pass by this city and will ask one another, 'Why has the LORD done such a thing to this great city?' And the answer will be: 'Because they have forsaken the covenant of the LORD their God and have worshiped and served other gods.' "  - Jer. 22:8-9 NIV

Zedikiah has seen his two brothers, Jehoahaz and Jehoiakim,  who preceded him as king, as well as his nephew, Jehoiachin, taken captive and sent to another land from which they will never return.  The people of Israel will now pay the price for their years of excess and disobedience.
 
I warned you when you felt secure,
but you said, 'I will not listen!'
This has been your way from your youth;
you have not obeyed me.
The wind will drive all your shepherds away,
and your allies will go into exile.
Then you will be ashamed and disgraced
because of all your wickedness. - Jer. 22:21-22 NIV

There comes a time when it is too late to plead for God's forgiveness; to run to him for mercy.  All the warnings have gone unheeded, and now it is to late.