The men of Judah attacked Jerusalem also and took it. They put the city to the sword and set it on fire. – Judges 1:8

Today's Scripture Reading (March 6, 2022): Judges 1

On June 14, 1940, the German Army took possession of the city of Paris. Four days earlier, the government of France had declared the French Capital an "open city," meaning that the military had been removed from the city and that the Nazis could now take the city without any formal resistance. The move was intended to save the loss of innocent life in the battle for a populated area. The Allies knew they were losing the Battle of France, and by the end of June, Germany would be in control of the North and Western portions of Europe. For many, it must have seemed that the story was over for the Continent. An analysis of this point in the history of Europe indicated that part of the problem was that Adolf Hitler seemed to understand the leaders of France and Britain better than France and Britain seemed to understand Hitler.

Unfortunately, while the purpose of declaring Paris an "open city" was to protect the innocent, the reality was that Nazi Germany was on a mission. On July 16-17, 1942, just over two years after they took the French city, the French police were ordered by the Germans to round up the Jews of Paris. Almost 13,000 Jews were detained, including over 4,000 children. These Jews were shipped to the extermination camp at Auschwitz. And none of the children ever came back.

The Nazis retained control of Paris for over four years. Still, on August 25, 1944, the French Second Armoured Division, supported by the Fourth Infantry Division of the United States Army, marched back into the city. The next day, General Charles de Gaulle celebrated the retaking of Paris by walking down the Champs-Élysées. Paris was once again in the hands of the French.

Jerusalem has a long history as a city. It is one of the longest inhabited places on the planet, with a history that goes back 5000 years. And when Israel attempted to take Canaan, it was a city of interest. According to Judges 1, the Israelites were able to take the city during the conquest of Canaan. But taking any urban center is only a part of the endeavor. And while Judah took Jerusalem, they couldn't hold the city. Much like the German occupation of Paris, Israel occupied the city, but they were unable to make the city theirs. The city of Jerusalem would soon revert to Canaanite rule in the possession of the Jebusites. The Jebusites would maintain control over Jerusalem for the next 400 years. Only then would King David, using the city's sewer system, take the city for Israel. And only then would he make the city his, calling it "The City of David" and making it the capital of Israel and Judah. David did not just occupy Jerusalem, as it was occupied for a short period during the days of the Judges. David made the city his own.

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: Judges 2