History Lesson!

Photo taken from Here

I continue to wonder if history class is for the children or the Mama.  I can't believe how excited and passionate I can get as I teach and learn at the same time.  Today we studied the life of Josephus and the destruction of the temple of Jerusalem.  Did you know that Josephus and Nero were contemporaries? Josephus also was a Pharisee, but his loyalty was split between the Romans and Jews.  He was good friends with Nero's successor and did not encourage the Jews to revolt against Rome.  But, he still fought for the Jews when the time came.  We spent some time reading in Josephus today, his account of the burning of the temple.  I find it quite fascinating!  God had decreed that the temple would be destroyed.  He had stretched out His hand of mercy time and again to His people.  But, they had rejected the Messiah, the Savior.  They clung to their traditions and crucified the Lord of Glory.   

"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen [doth gather] her brood under [her] wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until [the time] come when ye shall say, Blessed [is] he that cometh in the name of the Lord." Luke 13

But, this is what I find fascinating...In the Romans discussing their plans, Titus (the commander) decided the temple should NOT be destroyed.  It was one of the soldiers, in their frenzy, that took of the inner fire and, with another soldier lifting him up, set fire to the window of the temple.  Titus even tried to have the fire stopped, but the soldiers could not hear him above the noise.  In the pandemonium and fury of the soldiers the temple was burned down!  I find this amazing.  God's prophecy will be fulfilled, no matter what the plans of man are.  He had decreed it should be destroyed.  And it was. 

I bless the Lord who has extended such love to His people...stretching forth His mercy with so great salvation. His patience with the Jews for so long is astounding. 

But I also fear the Lord who also has declared in Psalm 2...

12   Kiss ye the Son, lest in his ire
          ye perish from the way,
     If once his wrath begin to burn:
          bless’d all that on him stay. 

How much we have to learn from the Lord's dealings with us throughout history!