“This is what the lord said to me: ‘Make a yoke, and fasten it on your neck wiht leather straps. Then send messages to the kings of Edom, Moab, Ammon, Tyre, and Sidon through their ambassadors who have come to see King Zedekiah in Jerusalem. Give them this message for their masters: ‘This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel says: With my great strength and powerful arm I made the earth and all its people and every animal. I can give these things to anyone I choose. Now I give your countries to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, who is my servant. I have put everything in his control. All the nations will serve him, his son, and his grandson until his time is up. Then many nations and great kings will conquer and rule Babylon. So you must submit to Babylon’s king and serve him; put your neck under Babylon’s yoke! I will punish any nation that refuses to be his slave, says the Lord. I will send war, famine, and disease upon that nation until Babylon has conquered it.'” (vv. 2-8, NLT)