Because the Jewish nation was wed to Jehovah, their unrepentant idolatry was spiritual adultery in the eyes of God. For this reason He brought judgment upon them. The Lord had already judged the northern kingdom for the same thing through Assyria—taking them into captivity. In the face of such a strong message, Judah had the dangerous attitude—they could continue in their sin and that would never happen to them. Having ignored God’s warnings, abused His patience and grace—judgment came and Jerusalem finally fell to Babylon in chapter 24.