A sweeping historical movement of destruction is set into motion, orchestrated by God to reshape the entire region. A massive empire is destined to invade, conquer, and destroy not only Judah but all the neighboring lands. To accomplish this, God stirs the hearts of many nations for war [מצודת דוד, שטיינזלץ]. This mobilization involves the great masses of the common people, rather than just their ruling classes [רד״ק]. Leading this vast army from the north is the king of Babylon. In this grand campaign, he acts directly as God's servant and messenger, carrying out His divine will [מצודת דוד]. God unites these northern masses together with the Babylonian king to execute this mission [רד״ק, מלבי״ם].
The invasion strikes Judah and sweeps through the surrounding nations. Tragically, these are the very neighbors Judah falsely relied upon for help and rescue [מצודת דוד, רד״ק, שטיינזלץ], as well as other specific nations destined for judgment [רד״ק]. The inclusion of these neighboring lands in the destruction reveals a deeper reality about how God governs the world. At that time, the natural and astrological order dictated that the Babylonian king would achieve global dominance. Had the people of Israel remained righteous, God would have miraculously intervened, overriding the laws of nature to humble the Babylonian king and save the surrounding nations from conquest. However, because of Israel's sins, God allowed the natural course to unfold completely. As a result, the Babylonian king was granted seventy years of power, a period corresponding to a complete cycle of the seven planets [מלבי״ם].
The aftermath of this invasion is total death and absolute loss [מצודת ציון]. The once-great region is reduced to a state of shocking emptiness and disbelief. Observers will react physically to the devastation, pursing their lips and whistling in sheer amazement that such an important place could be so utterly ruined [מצודת ציון, שטיינזלץ]. Ultimately, the landscape is condemned to everlasting ruin. While the general emptiness of the land might eventually pass if new people settle the area in the future, the specific homes and cities destroyed in this campaign will never be rebuilt. They will remain permanently shattered, standing as an eternal witness to the destruction [מלבי״ם].