It Had To Happen

The Lord, the God of their ancestors, repeatedly sent his prophets to warn them, for he had compassion on his people and his Temple. But the people mocked these messengers of God and despised their words. They scoffed at the prophets until the Lord’s anger could no longer be restrained and nothing could be done. [2 Chronicles 36.15-16]

It had to happen. The "Word of the LORD" would have meant nothing if Jerusalem did not fall. The Temple was ransacked and burned along with the rest of the city and Jerusalem's walls were torn down. Desolation was the order of the day and it was ultimately God's doing as it was He Who commissioned Babylon to attack.

However... it might be said that Jerusalem's destruction was the peoples' doing for they refused to repent. God had warned that His anger was going to be satisfied but the people refused to listen.

In this passage of scripture we see God's compassion and justice. It's much like punishment within a family. A father and mother can warn a child over and again that their defiant actions will cause them pain and suffering, but the rebellious child chooses not to believe the warnings and ultimately suffers punishment. The faithful parent sincerely wishes the child would comply for his or her own good (as the parent would rather not punish the child) but genuine love proves itself through punishment in the child's best interests. Like an old song once said, "Love hurts."

Father, I want to learn from You. I want to obey You. I want to comply with Your every wish and direction for my life. I want to experience the blessing of obedience rather than the curse of disobedience. I confess it and plead "Jesus" over my known rebellion and I ask You to reveal more of those indiscretions I may be unaware of so that I might confess them as well. I know You prefer mercy, but I also know that You cannot ignore Your own justice.