Take 1 Continued...

I have realized a few things from the third chapter. First, I found it amazing that even when Karen Armstrong tries to be funny, she continues to cite her sources. She makes a joke about how the citadel perhaps "paraded the blind and lame of the city on the walls" of which she then cites her correct sources. I am not sure if the source is credible but it does show that her main purpose is not to amuse but to seriously recount an accurate history of Jerusalem. Second, Jerusalem has hinged on the idea of tzedek or social justice for centuries. When social justice has been forgotten, the city has fallen, yet it has remained in tact when the people were treated fairly. If Jerusalem is to survive today, they must utilize this important concept when making decisions on what to do with the city today.

The reign within the City of Judah amounted to trying times for the citizens. Armies entered their city, human sacrifice was reimplemented by the "worst" king in Jerusalem's history, and the city eventually was reduced to rubble. Their god had let them down and they were no longer an imprenable city. Yet, I am curious to find out how they rebuilt the city to the create the diverse city that we see today. What gave them strength?