Even after all his victories, all his power, the thought of Jerusalem gnawed at him. But why? What pushed him to finally launch his attack?
Well, according to the legends, it wasn't just about conquest. It was about something far more… cosmic. The stories tell us that God Himself showed Nebuchadnezzar how he had, metaphorically, tied the hands of Michael, the archangel who served as the protector of the Jewish people. Imagine seeing that! The ultimate sign that the path was clear, that resistance would be futile. That’s what finally pushed Nebuchadnezzar to act. (Ginzberg, Legends of the Jews).
So, the campaign began. Did the Babylonians think it would be a walk in the park? A swift and easy victory? Far from it. The siege of Jerusalem was a brutal, drawn-out affair.
For three long, grueling years, the city held. Think about that for a moment. Three years of relentless attacks, of dwindling resources, of constant fear. Why didn't God just let Jerusalem fall?
The legends tell us that God endured this standoff, hoping against hope that the people of Jerusalem would repent. That they would turn away from their "evil ways" and "godless conduct". That they would return to God, and in doing so, avert the looming disaster.
It was a test, in a way. A chance for redemption. A demonstration of God's patience and mercy, even in the face of what was seen as terrible behavior. But would the people of Jerusalem seize that chance? Would they turn back before it was too late? That, as they say, is another story… but it’s a powerful reminder that even in the darkest of times, the possibility of change, of teshuvah (repentance), always remains.