The exiles in Babylon had just heard news that their beloved Jerusalem, and the surrounding territory, had been totally destroyed by the Babylonians. So any hope for their return to Judah or for their future was now lost – for they, and their descendants, were now doomed to live out their lives, as captives, in Babylon. And YET! – it is into this totally dire situation that Yahweh steps in and speaks some of the most beautiful, hope-filled, words, to the exiles, promising that He, Himself, would come to take care of them and to lead them back to their land, and promising to send a Prince, who would rule over His people, forever.