Topical Bible: Forsaking God: Kingdom of Israel

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Topical Encyclopedia

The theme of forsaking God is a recurring and significant motif in the history of the Kingdom of Israel, as documented in the Old Testament. This act of turning away from the Lord is often depicted as a primary cause of the nation's spiritual and political decline. The Kingdom of Israel, comprising the ten northern tribes, frequently fell into idolatry and disobedience, leading to divine judgment and eventual exile.

Historical Context

The Kingdom of Israel was established after the united monarchy under King Solomon was divided around 930 BC. Jeroboam I became the first king of the northern kingdom, which quickly deviated from the worship of Yahweh. Jeroboam set up golden calves in Bethel and Dan, declaring, "Here are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt" (1 Kings 12:28). This act of idolatry marked the beginning of Israel's spiritual decline.

Idolatry and Apostasy

Throughout its history, the Kingdom of Israel was plagued by idolatry. The worship of Baal and Asherah became prevalent, often encouraged by the ruling monarchs. Ahab, one of Israel's most infamous kings, married Jezebel, a Phoenician princess, and promoted the worship of Baal (1 Kings 16:31-33). The prophet Elijah confronted this apostasy, challenging the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel and demonstrating the power of the true God (1 Kings 18:20-40).

The prophets repeatedly warned Israel of the consequences of forsaking God. Hosea, for instance, likened Israel to an unfaithful spouse, declaring, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you as My priests" (Hosea 4:6). The nation's persistent idolatry and moral corruption led to its downfall.

Divine Judgment

The forsaking of God by the Kingdom of Israel ultimately resulted in divine judgment. The Assyrian Empire, under King Shalmaneser V, invaded and captured Samaria, the capital of Israel, in 722 BC. This event marked the end of the northern kingdom. The biblical narrative attributes this calamity to Israel's unfaithfulness: "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" (2 Kings 17:7).

Prophetic Warnings and Calls to Repentance

The prophets played a crucial role in calling Israel back to faithfulness. Figures like Amos, Hosea, and Micah delivered messages of warning and hope, urging the people to repent and return to the Lord. Amos declared, "Seek the LORD and live, or He will sweep like fire through the house of Joseph" (Amos 5:6). Despite these warnings, the people's hearts remained hardened, and they continued in their rebellion.

Lessons from Israel's Forsaking of God

The narrative of the Kingdom of Israel serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of turning away from God. It underscores the importance of faithfulness, obedience, and the dangers of idolatry. The account of Israel's forsaking of God is not only a historical account but also a spiritual lesson for all believers, emphasizing the need for steadfast devotion to the Lord.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Chronicles 13:11
And they burn to the LORD every morning and every evening burnt sacrifices and sweet incense: the show bread also set they in order on the pure table; and the candlestick of gold with the lamps thereof, to burn every evening: for we keep the charge of the LORD our God; but you have forsaken him.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Kings 17:7-18
For so it was, that the children of Israel had sinned against the LORD their God, which had brought them up out of the land of Egypt, from under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and had feared other gods,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Shiloah and Euphrates
... First Damascus and Israel were ravaged and subdued, and ... That kingdom only purchased
the privilege of being ... help from others Judah was forsaking God, and that ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/shiloah and euphrates.htm

The Sixth vision "In Heaven"
... Their helpless condition moving Him to pity. He not forsaking them. ... A 43. God's call
to Rejoice: and the reason. The publishing of Jehovah's Kingdom. ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the sixth vision in heaven.htm

City of God
... in the Account of Terah's Emigration, on His Forsaking the Chaldeans ... Of Those Things
Which a Man of God Spake by ... 7.--Of the Disruption of the Kingdom of Israel ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/

Conclusion
... God will suffer His arch-enemy to bring forth the false christ, who will establish
his kingdom. ... God's Word explicitly says, "Not forsaking the assembling ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/conclusion.htm

Twenty-First Day. Holiness and Happiness.
... Are not self-denial and the forsaking of all we ... to Thy children the blessed mystery
of the Kingdom, even the ... Blessed God, in Thy Word Thou hast said, 'The meek ...
/.../murray/holy in christ/twenty-first day holiness and happiness.htm

A Godly Reformation
... advancing to the more specific sin of forsaking Him and ... If we individually lived
nearer God, we should be less ... and of the pure light of His kingdom, will be ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/a godly reformation.htm

The Discerning Scribe
... despised and rejected, He said, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. ... admire,
and confess the greatness and goodness of Jesus, without forsaking all to ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 12 28-34 the discerning scribe.htm

The Call of Isaiah
... And there be a great forsaking in the midst of the ... recognize in them the hand of
an offended God might be ... The ten tribes of the northern kingdom were soon to ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 25 the call of.htm

Joshua's Conquest.
... striking way with the consequences of forsaking worship of ... a view to the final
on-going of his kingdom. Only God and not the relative strength or preparedness ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter viii joshuas conquest.htm

Costly and Fatal Help
... They tore away the fringes of his kingdom; and hostile armies flaunted their banners
beneath the very walls ... That was what came of forsaking the God of his ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/costly and fatal help.htm