Some of the Israelites were captives already in the land of the king of
Babylon. Ezekiel was one of them; and just four years after he spoke
this prophecy, Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, came up against
Jerusalem, and took it once more, and made King Zedekiah prisoner as
he was trying to flee away. Zedekiah's sons were put to death before
his eyes; and after that his eyes were put out, and he was carried in
chains to Babylon, and there slain.
Beautiful Jerusalem was set on fire, the walls were thrown down, and
all the gold and silver in the Temple was carried off to Babylon; and
the Jews themselves were made to go there too, and live as prisoners
there.
This was the way God punished them to make them sorry for their sins;
and still He gave them hope that when seventy years were over, they
should come back, and build up their city; and after that they would
always remember their old fault, and never turn to worship false gods
again. So God was merciful even in His anger, and sent their sorrow to
make them know Him and serve Him better.