Jeremiah gave a vivid picture of the anguish he felt as he entered Jerusalem. "How lonely sits the city that was full of people! How like a widow is she, who was great among the nations! The princes among the provinces have become a salve. She weeps bitterly in the night, her tears on her cheeks; among all her lovers she has none to comfort her. All her friends have dealt treacherously with her; they have become her enemies." (Lamentations 1:1,2)

What went wrong? What brought such a wonderful city to such a terrible end? A study of Israel's history provides the answer to this question. When Moses was about to die, he set two choices before the people. "I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore, choose life, that both you and your descendants may live." (Deuteronomy 30:19) The choice was theirs to make. God would keep His promises and be with them if they would love and obey Him. If not, they would reap the consequences of their disobedience and evil choices. History tells us they made the wrong choice!

What could they have been thinking? Who could be a greater king and leader than God? Yet, they asked for an earthly king. (2 Samuel 8:1-5) Even after God had Samuel tell them what this king would do to them and to their children, they still wanted a king! According to Hosea, God gave them a king in His anger and took him away in His wrath. (Hosea 13:11) This weakness -- the need to have someone in front to lead them -- would forever plague this fickle nation. Sadly, wherever the king led, they followed, even if it meant disobeying God. He sent many signs and wonders to gain their attention. Often, God's enemies better understood His message than did His own people.

"Is it nothing to you, all who pass by? Behold and see if there is any sorrow like my sorrow, which has been brought on me, which the Lord inflicted me in the day of His fierce anger." (Lamentations 1:12) What a contrast -- from where they began to this terrible end. Could it have been avoided? Of course! God's people have the ability to choose life over death. Before you begin to feel sorry for the Israelites, think about the choices you make. God has given us the same two choices. One leads to spiritual death and destruction; the other leads to eternal life. The two are different and clearly marked. "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way that leads to life, and there are few who find it." (Matthew 7: 13,14) God's people of old made their choices and paid the price. We have His sacred record to help us to not repeat these same mistakes. What choice are you making. Did you learn from the lessons of long ago?