The people of Judah and Jerusalem are cast out. We’re told it is because of the anger of the Lord. God is patient and kind. But there comes a point. God would be doing a disservice to His children if He just let them continue forever in their sin. He gets the attention of a remnant by letting it all be destroyed.

It’s poignant reading the list of all the items they carried away from God’s temple. Earlier in Scripture those items are listed time and again in detail. God cared for each one in how it was made.

David and his leaders gave cheerfully and willingly to provide for the construction of those things. Thousands upon thousands of talents of gold, silver, and bronze were collected. God’s Spirit came on workmen that they might work with skill and follow the Lord’s instructions for His temple, where He would dwell with His people.

There’s the thing. He wasn’t with them any longer, not in the same way. God loved Judah and Israel. God loves His people. But love looks different at different times.

Think of the story of the prodigal son.

We have the older son who stays home and diligently serves. We have the son who leaves to live selfishly.

The father loves them both. Does the father feel a proud, warm love for the dutiful son, saying to him, “You have always been with me and all that I have is yours?”

Does he feel a sad, pained love for the one who has rejected him and left home?

He doesn’t seek after the son. We have some wrong ideas about God seeking and saving the lost. The father runs to the son after the son repents. In the prodigal story we see God’s hand in seeking the lost by sending the famine on the land so that the son comes to his senses.

That’s what God is doing here with Judah. He’s going to help them come to their senses.

If you wander off, yes, God may go after you, but it’s not going to be pleasant. Better to cling to Him and hear Him say, “All that I have is yours.”