Finally, there was no remedy for all the idolatry committed by Israel except for God to take away the land he had given them as an inheritance. Nebuchadnezzar was a cruel, godless king who did not spare young or old, men or women (17). The temple in Jerusalem was utterly destroyed, as a visual demonstration to the people of how they had forsaken God (19).

However, this was not the end of God’s good purpose for his people. A remnant of Israel was not killed but was taken into exile in Babylon, where they could understand the sorrow of living apart from God’s presence. This remnant looked powerless, and their situation seemed hopeless; but then God raised up the Persians and King Cyrus (22). A Gentile ruler commanded the Israelites to return to Judah and build a new temple for the Lord! (23) It was a resurrection miracle, showing that anything is possible with God. Nothing could stop God from fulfilling his salvation plan, ultimately by sending Jesus to us.

The most devastating and painful events in our life are really opportunities to learn resurrection faith. No matter what, we must not lose hope; we must remember that nothing is too difficult for God.
Application: Father, thank you for your discipline for your people, which is for our good. Help me believe that you can restore us from any loss.
One Word: God can bring us back