Rabbi Ḥanina son of Rabbi Abba interpreted the verse regarding the kingdoms. Just as the lily, when it is situated among the thorns, a north wind comes and bends it southward and the thorn pricks it, a south wind comes and bends it northward and the thorn pricks it, but, nevertheless, its core is directed upward, so it is with Israel. Even though they are forced to pay levies and engage in forced labor, their hearts are directed toward their Father in Heaven.
What is the source? “My eyes are ever toward the Lord, for He draws my feet out of the net” (Psalms 25:15). Rabbi Aivu interpreted the verse regarding the future redemption. Just as the lily, when it is situated among the thorns, it is difficult for its owner to pick it, and what do they do?
They bring fire and they burn around it and then pick it, so too, “the Lord has commanded for Jacob that his besiegers surround him” (Lamentations 1:17), e.g., Ḥalamish for Naveh, Jericho for Naaran, Susita for Tiberias, Gastera for Haifa, Lod for Ono.8In each of these pairs of cities that were situated close to each other, the first was populated by wicked gentiles who would persecute the Jews who lived in the second (Etz Yosef).
That is what is written: “This is Jerusalem, I have placed it in the midst of the nations” (Ezekiel 5:5). In the future, when the end of days will come, what will the Holy One blessed be He do? He will bring fire and burn around it. That is what is written: “The peoples will be burnings of lime” (Isaiah 33:12). What is written of them [Israel]? “The Lord will guide them alone” (Deuteronomy 32:12).