1. Punishment for a nation's disobedience (1-30)

King Zedekiah suffered so much. The people were literally starving. The temple was destroyed and the temple furnishings were carried away. The high priest, court officials and temple servants were executed. Then Judah was sent away into captivity. It was such a high price to pay for their stubborn refusal to obey the Lord.

2. Jehoiachin is shown mercy (31-34)

Jehoiachin was taken care of by the ruler of Babylon. He was set free from prison and allowed to sit at a place of honor at the king's table. Actually, it was God who was showing mercy to Jehoiachin. He and the other people who submitted to God's will and went to the first exile in Babylon were considered like good figs. God promised to watch over the first exiles from Judah. Their hearts would return to the Lord and some even to Judah (24:4-7).