Israel Falls

As predicted, Israel (referred to by it's capitol city of Samaria) was besieged by the Assyrians in 734 BC. All of the inhabitants but the lowest classes were taken captive and the land was repopulated by people from Babylon and other pagan cities. When those people were given a clear message from the Lord that He expected their respect and obedience, they imported one of the priests of Israel to teach them about worshipping God. His instruction was not impactful however, and the new residents merely incorporated God into their pagan worship. What could have been an incredible conversion opportunity fell flat, possibly because there would not have been any true priests of God left by that time. Remember that when the kingdom divided, the Levites who were ministering in the area of the northern 10 tribes, relocated to Judah and were replaced by Jeroboam with non-Levites. Those priests ministered under 200 years of state-sponsored idolatry and had no idea how to impart reverence for God that they themselves did not possess. There's definitely a lesson in there for us as parents and grandparents. We cannot impart anything to our children/grandchildren that we don't possess ourselves.

Tomorrow's reading: Isa. 1-5:30