2 Chronicles 36:12, 13 And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord his God, and humbled not himself before Jeremiah the prophet speaking from the mouth of the Lord. And he rebelled against king Nebuchnezzar, who had made him swear by God: but he stiffened his neck, and hardened his heart from turning unto the Lord God of Israel.
Zedekiah continues a string of evil kings of Judah, and he becomes the last king before the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, and Babylon taking God’s people into captivity. This is God’s judgment.
He responded to God’s Word spoken through Jeremiah by not listening, not repenting, and not humbling himself before the Word of the Lord. The purpose of God’s Word of Law and judgment is to bring us to humility and repentance, and to trust in grace and mercy.
Judgment will come. Count on it. Therefore, humble yourself, repent, and turn to the Lord for escape from judgment, for mercy and grace. Hear the Gospel, be forgiven, and allow yourself to be humbled by believing God to do everything necessary for life and salvation. We knock down pride by giving everything to Jesus.
We by nature see full of pride and harden our heart to grace and help and letting God do it all. The choice is remaining hard and stubborn or letting the Law soften the heart to receive the Gospel. The Spirit must do it all through the Word.