יחזקאל, פרק כ״א, פסוק כ״ח

Facing the imminent threat of the Babylonian empire, the residents of Jerusalem sink into a dangerous state of complacency rather than awakening to repentance. They mock the warning signs of destruction, entirely convinced that the impending disaster will never reach their gates. When news arrives of the Babylonian king using divinations and casting lots to determine his path of conquest, the people of Jerusalem dismiss the results as empty and meaningless. This false sense of security stems from their blind reliance on false prophets who continually assure them of peace [רד״ק, שטיינזלץ, אברבנאל]. Interestingly, a different perspective suggests that the invading Chaldeans themselves initially believed the divination results were false; their original military objective was to attack the nation of Ammon, completely unaware that God was actively orchestrating events to draw them toward Jerusalem [רד״ק בשם אביו].

The depth of Jerusalem's denial is profound, rooted in an illusion of absolute safety. The primary approach among commentators is that the people felt as secure as if the invading army had sworn multiple oaths never to harm them [מצודת דוד, רד״ק, אברבנאל]. Others attribute this unwavering confidence to the solemn oaths taken by their own false prophets, who swore that the King of Babylon would never attack [שטיינזלץ, מצודת ציון]. A contrasting interpretation shifts the focus entirely from oaths to the concept of the number seven. According to this view, the Babylonian king meticulously cast his lots forty-nine times—seven times seven—and on every single attempt, the divination consistently pointed toward Jerusalem [רש״י, מלבי״ם, רד״ק].

Ultimately, these events serve to bring grave sins to the forefront, sealing the city's fate to be captured. One line of thought connects this to the breaking of political alliances. The people's current, misplaced confidence serves as a glaring reminder of King Zedekiah's treacherous rebellion. Zedekiah had sworn allegiance to the King of Babylon and then violated his oath, desecrating God's name in the process. Because of this betrayal, the people have no right to expect the Chaldeans to honor any agreements or show them mercy [רד״ק, אברבנאל]. Another view posits that the very act of listening to and trusting in false prophets is the specific sin that finalizes their doom [שטיינזלץ].

The nature of the remembered sin takes on different dimensions depending on the commentator. For instance, the forty-nine lots cast by the enemy king directly mirror the Israelites' historical neglect of the Sabbatical years—which operate on cycles of seven—alongside other severe crimes of robbery and bloodshed [מלבי״ם]. Another striking image presents the Babylonian king actively reciting the Israelites' sins while performing his divinations. He gathered this incriminating information from neighboring nations like Ammon and Moab, who had eagerly listened to the public rebukes delivered by Israel's true prophets [רש״י]. Ultimately, the residents of Jerusalem are the architects of their own downfall. Through their repeated, unapologetic transgressions, each individual serves as a constant reminder of guilt before God [מצודת דוד]. They proudly and shamelessly flaunt their crimes, ensuring they will inevitably fall into the hands of their enemies [אברבנאל].