W.W. Weirsbe, in his Expository Outlines on the Old Testament, wrote the following: “History is never merely a series of accidental events, for behind every nation is the plan and purpose of God. In these verses, the Holy Spirit explains to us why Samaria fell. We today had better take heed, for God is no respecter of nations; and if He so severely chastised His own people Israel, what must He do to nations today that rebel against Him? “History is His story.”” The verses to which Mr. Weirsbe refers are 2Kings 17:1-18.

The Downfall of Israel By “Israel” in this context, we mean not the United Kingdom ruled the Judges, Saul, David, and Solomon, but the “Israel” of the Divided Kingdom which began with Jeroboam in 930 B.C. and fell to the Assyrians in 722 B.C. Lasting only 208 years- by the standard of nations, this is a fairly short time. Israel’s downfall began, as it were, with their beginning.  “Israel” was conceived in a revolt because of heavy taxation by Rehoboam, 1Kings 12:1-20.  At first, things were looking good for the new nation in the gestational period, 1Kings 12:  But then came forth as a separate nation in rebellion from Judah and God, 1Kings 12:  A nation born in rebellion from God cannot stand. Note specifically the spiritual vacuum that resulted in the northern ten tribes by the apostasy of Jeroboam,2Chron.11:  An infant nation which turns to idolatry is not long for this world!

The Downfall of Israel Now that we’ve seen the beginning of the end, let’s turn our attention to the end of the end for Israel in 2Kings 17. The record makes it clear. The end came at the hands of the Assyrians:  “Israel” trusted in other nations rather than God, vv.1-6.  God had fought their battles for them before, but they ironically looked to Egypt for help against their enemy.  “Israel” forgot God and His past deliverance of and provision for them, v.7.  They ignored the lessons and reminders of Passover, if it was kept at all during this time- remember the faithful priests went southward to Judah when the apostasy began.

The Downfall of Israel The end came at the hands of the Assyrians: (cont.)  “Israel” followed the customs of nations the Lord despised and punished, vv.8,15b.  God had warned them not to mingle with the heathen (cf. Deut.7), but they did not listen and would now pay the price.  “Israel” secretly disobeyed, v.9a.  “Secret” sin usually precedes more open rebellion because it takes time for the conscience to become completely seared, cf.1Tim.4:2ff. Initially, people are still ashamed of our sin and therefore seek to hide it, cf.Gen.3:7-10.

The Downfall of Israel The end came at the hands of the Assyrians: (cont.)  “Israel” next openly rebelled, vv.9b-12.  Especially when “secret sin” appears to go unpunished, open rebellion typically follows. Men become brash, boastful, arrogant, and openly rebellious.  “Israel” resisted God’s call to repentance, vv  God warns of impending doom and urges repentance, cf.Gen.6:17ff; 1Pet.3:20; 2Pet.2:5.

The Downfall of Israel The end came at the hands of the Assyrians: (cont.)  “Israel” finally “sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the Lord, provoking Him. vv  We would likely say, “They sold out to do evil.” Whether monetary gain was the goal or not, they gave up even trying to serve God and went whole-heartedly into idolatry. Whatever the motivation, they served themselves, cf. Rom.1:22-23 and Phil.3:19.  The lamentable refrain for Israel was, “the Lord was angry with Israel, and removed them from His sight, none was left except the tribe of Judah.” v.18.

The Downfall of Israel The rest of the story for “Israel” that they were taken as captives to Assyria and lost forever to history. Their lands were settled by people imported by the Assyrians. These people later became known as “Samaritans.” What should we learn from all of this? As many have said, “History repeats itself.” And, “Those who do not learn the lessons of history, are doomed to repeat them.”

The Downfall of Israel If this nation, or another: Trusts in other nations (or things) rather than God, Forgets God, Follows the Customs of Nations God Despises, Secretly Disobeys God, Openly Rebels Against God, Resists God’s Call to Repentance, and Sells Itself to Do Evil, God will likewise become “very angry…and remove them from His sight”!