This may be a silly question, but I keep coming back to it.
Let $j:V\prec M$ be a non-trivial elementary embedding with $M$ a transitive class and $\kappa$ the critical point of $j$. Define the critical sequence for $j$ as usual, setting $\kappa_0=\kappa$ and $\kappa_n=j^n(\kappa)$ (i.e., the $n^{th}$ iterate of $j$ evaluated at $\kappa$). Finally, let $\lambda=\sup_{n<\omega}(\kappa_n)$. Then $j(\lambda)=\lambda$ and $\lambda$ is a strong limit of cofinality $\omega$.
The trouble I'm having is the claim that $j(\lambda^+)=\lambda^+$. The claim follows from the string of inequalities: $\lambda^+\leq j(\lambda^+)=(\lambda^+)^M\leq\lambda^+$ However, I don't understand why the final inequality is true. I feel as if I'm just overlooking something obvious.
For reference, the string of inequlaities is from proof 2 (due to Woodin) of Kunen's Inconsistency on page 320 in Kanamori's The Higher Infinite.