The Destruction of Jerusalem - an Example of God’s Wrath against Sin.

"For Thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness, neither shall evil dwell with Thee." Psalms 5:4.

Great were the blessings bestowed upon the children of Israel. Time and again God had proved to them that He was a faithful God. Wonderfully did He lead and bless them. He gave them kings, judges, and prophets. He took them under His arms and guided them. And He sent His only Son to redeem them, to save them and all mankind. But did Israel appreciate what God had done for it? Alas, it rejected all this saving knowledge and trans­ gressed His commandments wilfully and knowingly. We hear the sorrowful complaint of the Son of God: “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate!”

How terribly this prophesy was fulfilled! Forty years later the Romans besieged and finally took and destroyed the city. About a million people lost their lives through famine and through plague or were distributed over the whole Roman Empire to be torn by wild beasts or sold into cruel slavery. The scenes of misery and distress during the siege are simply beyond description. It was great tribulation, such as was not seen since the beginning of the world, nor ever shall be, as the Lord had foretold.

The destruction of Jerusalem is an example of God’s just wrath against sin. Let us often think of this warning example. Here we behold God’s just punishment upon an ungrateful and hard-hearted people. Let us heed this warning and ask ourselves: Have we dealt better with God than Israel? All the days of our lives God has showered His grace and mercy upon us. Have we been as grateful as we should have been ? Have we grown in faith, in love, and in good works? Have we shown any true, loving in­ terest in His Church and the work it is doing ? Do you still cling to your God and Savior as the chief Treasure of your soul?

Prayer.

O God, how shamefully has many a one departed from the way and suffered himself to be misled by the devil and evil companions! From a vessel of honor, hallowed to Thee, many a one has become a vessel of wrath and must needs perish forever, unless Thou wilt graciously cleanse him with the blood of Thy dear Son, Jesus Christ, and save his poor soul. O Lord, look upon him in mercy, for the sake of the most perfect obedience of Thine own dear Son. Amen.