A final family memory

 Jeremiah 39:5–7 (ESV)

5But the army of the Chaldeans pursued them and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho. And when they had taken him, they brought him up to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, at Riblah, in the land of Hamath; and he passed sentence on him.
6The king of Babylon slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah at Riblah before his eyes, and the king of Babylon slaughtered all the nobles of Judah.
7He put out the eyes of Zedekiah and bound him in chains to take him to Babylon.

The fulfillment of the prophecies regarding the land of Judah and the cities was the result of years of disobedience and denial of the words spoken by many prophets. God had reached the end of his patience with the rebellious people, and the day of judgment came upon them. For King Zedekiah and all the leaders of the nation it was a horrible ending to the life they formerly knew. Instead of being recipients of God’s mercy and provision, they were now experiencing his wrath. Zedekiah would live the remainder of his life as a prisoner who could not see and with his last memory of his children being a witness to their death that was caused by his unwillingness to surrender as he was instructed. Sin always costs you more than you can pay and is never worth whatever gain you thought you would enjoy. Zedekiah is an example of failed leadership that led to a failed nation because he would not listen and obey the prophets God sent in his mercy to warn him and call him and the nation to repentance.