From the grief our guide in Israel expressed over the destruction of Jerusalem and Solomon’s temple you might think it occurred recently instead of in 70 AD. Yet after almost 2000 years, the Jews still have no temple. An Islamic shrine sits over its ruins. Our guide blamed human error for this travesty. If only a leader hadn’t delayed the armies going to Jerusalem.

His words show why we need to pray for our leaders and reminded me of Jesus weeping over Jerusalem.

“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. Look, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord'” (Luke 13:34-35 NIV).

Human error went much deeper than bad timing. When Israel rejected her Messiah she shunned His protection.

When I see world leaders make apparently foolish and dangerous decisions, like our guide, I bemoan their shortsightedness. Continue Reading