The city of Jerusalem was once like pure gold. But because of their sin, they had grown dim. The people of Zion, once worth their weight in gold, became like cheap pottery. Infants can find no milk to drink. Children roam the streets begging for food that does not exist. People who were once wealthy now were dying homeless in the streets. The punishment that Jerusalem underwent seemed worse even than the destruction of Sodom. The princes of the city, once ruddy, with the beauty of sapphire, were now unrecognizable, their skin shriveled. Many must have felt they would have been better off if they had perished in the invasion of the Babylonians. This is the picture of the full vent of God’s wrath on sin.

What happened to Jerusalem was unbelievable, even to Judah’s enemies. How could an army invade the great city of Jerusalem? It was because the Babylonian invasion was God’s punishment for the sin of Judah. Even her spiritual leaders, the prophets and priests, sinned. They all had blood on their hands. Jerusalem was looking for other nations to come and save her. But no one could. So, the Lord drove them into exile. But their exile would be only for a time. People truly need spiritual leaders to show them the way to God.
Application: Father, without shepherds, we cannot but sin grievously against you. Send us spiritual leaders to show the way to you.
One Word: Lord, raise up faithful spiritual leaders!