The Theological 'Domino Theory'

Aim: To remain standing today—as a faithful church.

Doctrine: Apostasy from the true God leads to unspeakable deeds and disasters. This is an inevitable spiritual law that can only be arrested by faith and repentance.

Exegesis: The sad trail of fallen theological ''dominoes'': idolatry greatly disgraces God's people (vv. 11-13), leading to the Lord's righteous rejection (v. 14), finally resulting in massive felt grief (v. 15).

Further application: How the church is to avert a negative ''domino effect'': by clinging to Jesus with sincere faith, we will weather every storm of temptation.

Key verse: v. 14 ''And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel. So He delivered them into the hands of plunderers who despoiled them; and He sold them into the hands of their enemies all around, so that they could no longer stand before their enemies.''