The treasured city of God, not just by the people of Judah, but God himself, was destroyed at the hands of the Babylonian Army. Jerusalem, where God’s presence dwelt in the Temple, was destroyed along with the city walls and the people, both small and great were driven from the city by the Babylonian army.
According to the record in 2 Kings 25:9, 10 “And in the fifth month, on the seventh day of the month, which is the nineteenth year of king Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, came Nebuzaradan, captain of the guard, a servant of the king of Babylon, unto Jerusalem: And he burnt the house of the Lord, and the king’s house, and all the houses of Jerusalem, and every great man’s house burnt he with fire.”
Jerusalem lost its protection and surrendered its significance, when the people began to worship other Gods, instead of focusing on the presence of God who was enshrined in the Holy of Holies of the Temple, dedicated by Solomon. God was placed in an inferior role and idols were exalted above His power and presence. Therefore, there was no barrier, whether the walls of Jerusalem, the army men (who fled and abandoned their king during the siege) or the regard for the holy precincts of the Temple God had consecrated for His Glory.
Christ once looked over Jerusalem and groaned, because of the inhabitants’ waywardness and disobedience. He cried “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.” (Matthew 23:37)
God knows what is possible and to what extent the enemy will go to destroy us. He knows that without His protective care, we leave ourselves bare before the prowling and deceptive Lion–Satan. He, therefore, as He did to Israel for generations has been constantly calling back his people to true worship, reverence for and trust in him. Jerusalem had given up its shield and defense, and God allowed their attackers to overwhelm them.
Have we been fleeing the power and presence of God to pursue other gods and temples of idolatry–where the things of this world are enshrined? God wants you to set up and reestablish a Jerusalem in your spiritual life– a fortress protected by His divine favour and presence. In doing so we are preparing for the New Jerusalem: “coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.” (Revelation 21:2 NIV)
Preserved for A Purpose 