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27. Remove Judah. This was also the repeated warning of Jeremiah (Jer. 4:5-20; 6:1-4; 7:12-16, 20, 32-34; 11:17, 22, 23; 16:9-13). Zephaniah, too, pronounced the nation’s imminent doom (Zeph. 1:2-18; 3:1-8). Calls for reformation were still given and promises of forgiveness and personal acceptance were made on the basis of true repentance (Jer. 7:3-7; Zeph. 2:1-3). But by this time it had become clear that no genuine repentance was in prospect and that national ruin was inevitable (Jer. 7:8-34).

Cast off this city. It was not easy for the Lord to cast off Jerusalem. That city had been chosen by Him as His own city. It was to be the capital, not only of Judah, but of the world. The Lord intended that from Jerusalem streams of light and salvation should go out to encircle the globe. The Israelites prevented the carrying out of the original design. Now God’s purpose will be carried out in the creation of the new earth, with the New Jerusalem as the capital and the multitudes of the redeemed constituting the new nation.