Israel's Sins & God's Judgment in Exile

The time for judgment has come upon the northern kingdom. Chapter 17 documents the ten tribes of Israel being taken into captivity by the Assyrians. It also catalogs a lengthy list of reasons why they came under that judgment from God. At least eighteen ways they had provoked God to anger are listed including their failure to heed the warnings of the prophets God had sent.

Sadly, despite the warning these could have been to the southern kingdom it too continued on the path to judgment that would come a little over hundred years later.

The chapter also gives the details of the resettlement in the land area of the northern kingdom by the Assyrians and the impact it had on the Jews. Foreigners were imported so that a corrupting mixture of religion and people group resulted. The descendents became known as the Samaritans.

Many lessons can be learned from a study of this significant time in Israel's history.

1. There is no greater tragedy than turning from the redeeming God to the ways of the world.
2. Beware of secretly corrupting the worship of the living God.
3. Compromised worship only deteriorates and becomes more corrupt.
4. People become more hardened when they reject the word of God.
5. We are to learn from Israel's history - Romans 15:4ff; 1 Corinthians 10:11.
6. Compromise and syncretism are relentless enemies of the people of God and their relationship to Him.