23 July | Teens
«Now it came to pass in the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, on the tenth day of the month, that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and all his army came against Jerusalem and encamped against it; and they built a siege wall against it all around.» Jeremiah 52:4
Jerusalem fell for a combination of reasons, but one of the main ones was the alienation of God’s people and their practices of injustice. In Jeremiah 52, we read about the conquest of Jerusalem by the Babylonians, a tragic event that marked the end of the kingdom of Judah. But this downfall was not just because of the military power of the Babylonians. The Bible shows us that the fall of Jerusalem was also the result of the actions of the people themselves.
Over the years, the kings of Judah and the people strayed from God’s ways. They worshipped other gods, practiced injustice, and did not listen to the warnings of the prophets, like Jeremiah, whom God sent to guide them back to the right path. These actions not only displeased God but also weakened the kingdom morally and spiritually, making it vulnerable.
The story of Jerusalem is a great lesson in how our choices and actions affect not only ourselves but also the people and world around us. When we choose to live according to the values God teaches us, we are building a stronger community and a better future for all. This means helping those in need, being fair in our decisions, and treating everyone with kindness and respect. In this way, each of us contributes to an en-vironment where good prevails, inspired by the love and wisdom that God shares with us through His words.
Take Action
With the help of an adult, do a search for images of Jerusalem before its fall and compare it with photos of the city today. Look at how it has changed over time and reflect on how it would have been if it had stayed true to its calling.