“God needs us!” – This point is similar to the previous one. In the relationship between God and His People, there exists an interesting paradox. On one hand, God is omnipotent, completely in control. He issues positive and negative commandments we are expected to follow. Reward is given to those who adhere to his laws, punishment to those who do not. Yet we know that “In the gathering of people is the king’s glory; but in the lack of people is the downfall of the prince” (Proverbs 14:28). A king cannot function without a nation who is prepared to accept his rule. How then could God exile and seemingly dismiss the Jewish People? Where would that leave Him as King?
“I’ll worry about it then” – As scary and real as their words may have seemed, the prophets never specified a particular year or era of actualization. More than 90 years had passed since the first prophetic words concerning the destruction had been uttered, and all the while the Temple remained standing. The fact that punishment would arrive at some point was not sufficient to generate significant change.
“It can’t really be that bad!” – The optimists among the Jewish people thought the prophets were overstating Heavenly retaliation for our misdeeds. They were unable to accept that God would actually impose such a strong punishment.
“Who says that they’re right?” – There were numerous false prophets in Israel during these years, many of whom dismissed the problems facing the Jewish people and predicted deliverance from their enemies. It was not clear, even in the era of prophecy, as to who actually represented the Word of God.
Sadly, our history has proven that tangible threats – even exile or death – are often the most successful means by which to inspire the Jewish nation to seek repentance.
“The removal of Achashveirosh’s ring [upon the king’s consenting to Haman’s plan of extermination] was more successful than forty-eight prophets and seven prophetesses who prophesied to Israel. All these were not able to improve Israel’s ways, and the removal of the ring did improve their ways.” (Talmud, Megillah 14a)
