Sorry, Still Reading

Hi.
A quick note to let you know I'm sorry I've been tardy on getting notes out that let you know where we're still reading in Scripture.

I am still using the program for Reading through the Bible in a Year and have continued to read. I've just not been faithful in posting where, what, etc...

SO...if you're still interested in reading along, today's readings are from 2 Kings 23, 24, 25.

We come to the end of 2 Kings and the story is a rather sad one as it recounts the decay and death of the nation as Judah, the last of the nation of Israel is taken into captivity. The writer makes it clear: it all could have been prevented, but they simply refused to turn in truth to God.
2 Kings 24:1 and following says,
1 During Jehoiakim's reign, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon invaded the land, and Jehoiakim became his vassal for three years. But then he turned against Nebuchadnezzar and rebelled.2 The Lord sent Babylonian,t Aramean, Moabite and Ammonite raiders against him to destroy Judah, in accordance with the word of the Lord proclaimed by his servants the prophets.3 Surely these things happened to Judah according to the Lord's command, in order to remove them from his presence because of the sins of Manasseh and all he had done,4 including the shedding of innocent blood. For he had filled Jerusalem with innocent blood, and the Lord was not willing to forgive.

While Josiah's rule is righteous and delays the judgment, nevertheless it moves towards that after his death. It's a sobering passage to read.