(This week is the 9th of Av, the date of the destruction, more info here)
Some may say it was the Babylonians, others might respond that it was the Romans. In this investigative report, we have determined that both are right. And both are not quite right. The first Holy Temple was indeed destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, while the second temple was destroyed 490 years later by the Roman general Titus.
But neither of them, with all their military acumen and mighty armies, could have so much as knocked a brass ornament off the gates of Nikanor, had they not been permitted to do so by G-d. After Hashem had brought the ten plagues on Egypt, split the sea, protected the Jews through the desert, brought the walls of Jericho tumbling down, and helped king David slay the mighty Philistine warrior Goliath, with countless miracles along the way. Finally, King Solomon builds this divine abode, and suddenly, a simple human army can burn it down?!
It must have had His approval. The big question is, "why?".
While Titus might have thought that he was wrecking the Temple, and for this he earned the title "Wicked", to Hashem it was the beginning of a renovation process. Much like you might knock down a dilapidated hut in order to build a mansion in its place, much like you would dig up a field in order to plant an orchard, much like you would erase a canvas to paint a masterpiece.
So when faced with the fires of destruction, the darkness of a chaotic world, or the suffering that seems to have no end in sight, let's keep in mind that there is Someone who has a Master Plan. And while to you and I the situation might look bleak, a bright and magnificent tomorrow is right around the corner.
May it be soon!