To 160 th Ave Church of Christ

The Fall of Israel: Historical Summary In 722 B.C. Assyria destroyed Samaria and brought the northern tribes of Israel into exile. – Israel and Judah split after Rehoboam heeds foolish counsel. – Israel will be the first of God’s chosen kingdom/people to be conquered and taken into exile. 2 Kings 16 gives the background that leads up to this event. – Pekah (King of Israel) with Rezin (King of Aram) threaten Jerusalem (Judah kingdom). – Ahaz (King of Judah) pays tribute to Tiglath-Pileser (King of Assyria) in appeal for help and Tiglath-Pileser sacks Damascus (Israelite territory). 2 Kings 18 – 10 years later Shalmanezer (King of Assyria) leads Assyria to finish the job (vs ).

Why Did Israel Fall? Not because they didn’t have a large enough army Not because they didn’t have strong artillery Not because of poor military strategy Not because their God was not powerful enough – Not because other God’s were more powerful – Not because God didn’t keep his promises Israel Fell Because of Sin!!!

2 Kings 17 6 In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria captured Samaria and carried Israel away into exile to Assyria, and settled them in Halah and Habor, on the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes. 7 Now this came about because the sons of Israel had sinned against the Lord their God, who had brought them up from the land of Egypt from under the hand of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and they had feared other gods 8 and walked in the customs of the nations whom the Lord had driven out before the sons of Israel, and in the customs of the kings of Israel which they had introduced. 9 The sons of Israel did things secretly which were not right against the Lord their God. Moreover, they built for themselves high places in all their towns, from watchtower to fortified city. 10 They set for themselves sacred pillars and Asherim on every high hill and under every green tree,

2 Kings and there they burned incense on all the high places as the nations did which the Lord had carried away to exile before them; and they did evil things provoking the Lord. 12 They served idols, concerning which the Lord had said to them, “You shall not do this thing.”13 Yet the Lord warned Israel and Judah through all His prophets and every seer, saying, “Turn from your evil ways and keep My commandments, My statutes according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you through My servants the prophets.” 14 However, they did not listen, but stiffened their neck like their fathers, who did not believe in the Lord their God.

2 Kings They rejected His statutes and His covenant which He made with their fathers and His warnings with which He warned them. And they followed vanity and became vain, and went after the nations which surrounded them, concerning which the Lord had commanded them not to do like them. 16 They forsook all the commandments of the Lord their God and made for themselves molten images, even two calves, and made an Asherah and worshiped all the host of heaven and served Baal. 17 Then they made their sons and their daughters pass through the fire, and practiced divination and enchantments, and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the Lord, provoking Him. 18 So the Lord was very angry with Israel and removed them from His sight; none was left except the tribe of Judah.

Summary of Sin Walked in the customs of the nations that had previously been driven out (vs. 8, 15) Walked in the customs that the kings of Israel introduced (vs. 8) Secretly did things against the Lord their God (vs. 8) Idolatry as the nations before them, provoking God. (vs. 9-12, 16-17) Did not heed the warnings from God’s servants, the prophets, and instead were stiff-necked like their fathers (13-15)

Walked in the customs of the nations that had previously been driven out (vs. 8, 15) From the beginning Israel was commanded to drive out and not intermarry with the inhabitants of the land for this very reason. – Num. 33:55; they would become as pricks in their eyes and thorns in their sides. – Deut. 7:2-5 – Judges 2:1-3; this had already happened by the days of the judges. Today God also calls us to be concerned about those who might influence us. – Don’t’ be conformed to this world (Rom. 12:2) – We aren’t to have friendship with the world (1 John 2:14-15; James 4:4) – We don’t associate with immoral brethren. (1 Cor. 6:6, 9-12) A little leaven leavens the whole lump (vs. 6) – Be very concerned about who you have relationship with. 1 Cor. 15:33- Bad company currupts good morals. 2 Cor. 6: Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?

Walked in the customs that the kings of Israel introduced (vs. 8) Kings instituted wicked practices: – Jeroboam set up golden calves in Dan and Bethel (1 Kings 1:25-30) – Idolatry was a common practice set up and allowed by kings. – While the kings mandated and allowed these things, Israel (entire) was condemned because they still had a choice and they followed! Our leaders have instituted many wicked practices. – Unlawful Marriage – Abortion – Laws are constantly changing to legalize and support wickedness. We are to pray for our leaders and follow the law of the land, but not when it contradicts God’s law! (1 Tim. 2:1-4; Rom. 13:1-7) But we are to be loyal to God over country!!! (Acts 5:29)

Secretly did things against the Lord their God (vs. 8) Israel is condemned for the secret things Today people still commit so many sins in secret (Eph. 5:12) – At night – Behind closed doors – When no one is watching. God sees! – God saw Israel God sees us – WE are not to participate but rather expose (Eph. 5:12)

Idolatry Idolatry was prevalent in Israel Idolatrous worship also involved sinful activity – Unauthorized festivals – Cult prostitutes – Human sacrifice Israel still worshipped God (Yahweh) while they worshipped idols. – They “hedged their bets” – God is a jealous God. “you shall have no other gods beside me” (Ex. 20:3-4) God demands exclusive worhsip We often worship “idols” – Money (Matt. 6:24) – Jobs – Hobbies

Did not heed the warnings from God’s servants, the Prophets (13-15) God sent so many prophets to Israel – Kings received their own personal prophets Elijah, Micaiah to Ahab. – Prophets spoke before the people They were hard-hearted. – They were unwilling to change! – They did not repent – They persecuted the prophets We have the prophets – We have these words recorded for us – We have the words of disciples recorded for us – We have teachers and preacher and parents who would teach us God’s word

We can reform/restore/repent Judah wasn’t much different than Israel – Their exile is foreshadowed at the end of 2 Kings 17. Why didn’t Judah fall when Israel did? – Assyria went after Judah after they conquered Israel. – When this occurs Hezekiah is king of Judah (2 Kings 18:1-6) He tore down idols and altars He trusted in God He kept the commandments of the Lord – When Sennacherib defies God, Hezekiah prays! (2 Kings 19) Isaiah tells Hezekiah that the Lord has heard 185,000 Assyrians are killed in one night The king goes returns home and is killed according to the word of the Lord!