October 2023

Rebelled against the Kings of Assyria

In Second Kings, chapter eighteen, verse seven, at this time in Judah’s history, the southern kingdom was required to pay an annual tribute. Hezekiah identified with the international conspiracy against Assyria and refused to pay any more money. The result of this attempt at independence is from chapter eighteen, verse thirteen through chapter nineteen, verse …

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Placed them in the city of Samaria

In Second Kings, chapter seventeen, verse twenty-four, the King of Assyria imported foreign captives to inhabit the cities of Samaria. The city is the entire northern kingdom to destroy any remaining nationalism. Intermarriage between Israelites not taken to Assyria and foreigners brought to the land of Israel produced the people called the “Samaritans.” The result …

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Worshiped all the host of heaven

In Second Kings, chapter seventeen, verse sixteen, the Israelites worshiped astral deities and other gods because they believed such gods would provide a better life. They expected greater prosperity, fertility, health, well-being, and security. For this reason, greed is known as “idolatry.” Jesus Himself states prosperity and wealth as the ultimate goal in life are …

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The prophets

In Second Kings, chapter seventeen, verse thirteen, Israel rejected God’s prophets, those who spoke against sin and called for repentance and obedience to the Lord’s Word and statutes, as the examples in Judges six, verses eight through ten, First Kings thirteen, verses one to three, chapter fourteen, verses six through sixteen, and Acts seven, verses …

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Walked in the statues of the heathen

In Second Kings, chapter seventeen, verse eight, Israel all too eagerly accepted the lifestyles and standards of those who were not God’s people. Although separation from the nations was one of God’s fundamental requirements for Israel, as in Leviticus eighteen, verses three and thirty, Deuteronomy twelve, verses twenty-nine through thirty-one, and chapter eighteen, nine to …

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