Topical Bible: Judgments: Delivered: Into the Hands of the Assyrians

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The theme of divine judgment is a recurring motif throughout the Bible, serving as a testament to God's righteousness and justice. One significant instance of such judgment is the delivery of the Northern Kingdom of Israel into the hands of the Assyrians. This event is a pivotal moment in biblical history, illustrating the consequences of disobedience and idolatry.

Historical Context

The Northern Kingdom of Israel, comprising ten of the twelve tribes, was established after the division of the united monarchy following the reign of Solomon. The kingdom was characterized by a series of kings who led the people away from the worship of Yahweh, engaging in idolatry and adopting the pagan practices of surrounding nations. This apostasy provoked the Lord's anger, leading to repeated warnings through His prophets.

Prophetic Warnings

Prophets such as Hosea and Amos were sent by God to call Israel to repentance. Hosea, in particular, vividly depicted Israel's unfaithfulness and the impending judgment. Hosea 9:3 warns, "They will not remain in the land of the LORD; Ephraim will return to Egypt and eat unclean food in Assyria." This prophecy foreshadows the exile and the loss of the land promised to their forefathers.

The Assyrian Conquest

The culmination of these warnings came during the reign of Hoshea, the last king of Israel. In 2 Kings 17:6 , it is recorded, "In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria captured Samaria and deported the Israelites to Assyria. He settled them in Halah, in Gozan on the Habor River, and in the towns of the Medes." This event, occurring around 722 B.C., marked the end of the Northern Kingdom as the Israelites were forcibly removed from their homeland.

Reasons for Judgment

The biblical narrative provides a clear rationale for this severe judgment. 2 Kings 17:7-8 states, "All this took place because the Israelites had sinned against the LORD their God, who had brought them up out of the land of Egypt and had warned them not to follow other gods." The Israelites' persistent idolatry, rejection of God's commandments, and failure to heed prophetic warnings led to their downfall.

Theological Implications

The delivery of Israel into the hands of the Assyrians serves as a sobering reminder of the seriousness with which God views sin and disobedience. It underscores the principle that divine patience has limits and that persistent rebellion against God’s covenant will result in judgment. This event also highlights God's sovereignty over nations, using the Assyrians as instruments of His divine will.

Legacy and Lessons

The Assyrian exile had lasting implications for the identity and faith of the Israelite people. It served as a catalyst for reflection and repentance, as seen in the later reforms of the Southern Kingdom of Judah. The judgment upon Israel is a call to faithfulness, urging believers to adhere to God's commandments and to avoid the pitfalls of idolatry and moral compromise.

In summary, the delivery of the Northern Kingdom into the hands of the Assyrians is a profound example of divine judgment in the biblical narrative. It serves as a historical and theological lesson on the consequences of turning away from God and the importance of remaining steadfast in faith and obedience.

Nave's Topical Index

2 Kings 17:6-41
In the ninth year of Hoshea the king of Assyria took Samaria, and carried Israel away into Assyria, and placed them in Halah and in Habor by the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Hezekiah
... by most decided reformation could be threatened judgments be averted ... had been assembled
and put into place; and ... realized that they were being delivered from the ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 28 hezekiah.htm

The vision of Paul.
... Thou art just, O Lord, and just are thy judgments. ... of him another [3926] man whom
they delivered up with ... me: Follow me and I will lead thee into Paradise, that ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the vision of paul/the vision of paul.htm

Ahaz
... delivered them to trouble, to astonishment, and to hissing ... a nameless dread of the
retributive judgments of an ... by the fear of falling completely into the hands ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 27 ahaz.htm

Isaiah
... be meant to suggest that God's judgments are tempered ... we pass into a different
historical and theological atmosphere ... on the point of being delivered, xlviii.20 ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/isaiah.htm

The Seventh Book
... of the enemy that the Lord has delivered the greatest ... are too many for me to give
Midian into their hands ... says: "He is righteous and his judgments are upright ...
//christianbookshelf.org/salvian/on the government of god/the seventh book.htm

Saul's Expedition against the Nation of the Ammonites and victory ...
... the hands of your enemies, he delivered you, first by ... they had sinned, and had fallen
into that sin ... grow careless of these things, great judgments would come ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 5 sauls expedition against.htm

Of Civil Government.
... them as a kind of polity, delivered certain forms ... venally prostitute all rights,
privileges, judgments, and enactments ... that is, not to inquire into the duties ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 20 of civil government.htm

Book 1.
... and when they were delivered from them, and gone ... for to him, and presently marched
into Ethiopia, together ... unreasonable dread upon him of judgments that were ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/against apion/book 1.htm

Sargon of Assyria (722-705 BC )
... was also famed for the uprightness of his judgments, which were ... we fled for help
to be delivered from the ... crowded within the lines, also fell into their hands ...
/.../chapter iiisargon of assyria 722-705.htm

The Prophet Amos.
... and he that escapeth of them shall not be delivered.". ... Him only who, throughout,
executes God's judgments upon the ... cherubim, and took, and put it into the hands ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the prophet amos.htm