“What does the Lord you God require of you, but…to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.” Deuteronomy 10:12 All God’s people, exiled in Babylon, had were memories of the days when God’s favor was on them.  Jerusalem was in ruins because a blessed people had been exploiting the weak, not caring for the land entrusted to them, and going through the motions of worshiping God.  The prophet Nehemiah confessed: We have acted very corruptly against You and have not kept the commandments” (Nehemiah 1:7). God loved His people too much to let them continue harming themselves and others.  By letting them “do time” in Babylon, He helped them see what can happen when a blessed people get caught up in a life that leaves God out of the picture. God gives blessing to us so we can give glory to Him.