OCTOBER 21, Jeremiah 39:1, 2 

The Southern Kingdom continued for a longer period. God wanted her to learn from what happened to the Northern Kingdom. Sadly, the people did not learn from the mistakes of others, and so had to eventually learn from their own mistakes.

Although good kings such as Hezekiah and Josiah led in removing idols and teaching the people the commandments of the Lord, the people very soon returned to idolatry and immorality.

God sent many prophets to warn Judah what would happen if they continued to reject God. It was to no avail – the people did not listen. Judah was doomed to destruction. In 586 BC, Nebuchadnezzar, the Babylonian king, destroyed Jerusalem and burnt down the Temple, set fire on the king’s house and exiled the third and final batch of Jews to Babylon.

Some say that mistakes are stepping stones to success. Is that true? Do we have to make mistakes to ensure we have success? There are many things we can learn from the mistakes of others, and one main lesson is – do not make the same mistakes! The people of the Southern Kingdom saw what happened to the Northern Kingdom, yet fell into the same trap of sin against God.

Perhaps they were not teachable. Are we teachable? Are we able to learn lessons from the Lord, or do we have to bear the pain of the consequences of our mistakes in order to learn?

Thought: Be teachable and learn from the mistakes of others.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, may I have a tender and humble heart to be teachable when I have done wrong. Sometimes that is difficult but may I learn to always turn to You for help. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.