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Week 5

Week 5. In what ways do you see the world most clearly ignoring what God says? What about Redeemer OPC? Can we ever ignore what God says?. Last 150 years before Jonah. Quick Review of Week 4 …. Characteristics of the Divided Kingdoms of Israel and Judah. ISRAEL Larger, wealthier

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Week 5

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  1. Week 5

  2. In what ways do you see the world most clearly ignoring what God says? • What about Redeemer OPC? • Can we ever ignore what God says?

  3. Last 150 years before Jonah Quick Review of Week 4 ….

  4. Characteristics of the Divided Kingdoms of Israel and Judah • ISRAEL • Larger, wealthier • Mixed population (ethnically and therefore religiously) • More exposed to outside forces • Spiritual/political instability • Enjoyed advantages of trade and commerce from coastal route • JUDAH • Smaller, poorer • More homogenous population • Isolated from outside forces • Stable dynastic tradition (Davidic line) • Held Jerusalem and the temple complex

  5. The Sins of Jeroboam • New Places of Worship • New Forms of Worship • New Priesthood • New Holy Day • Subjugated Church to the State

  6. Ancient Near East “Dark Ages” End:The Rise of Neo-Assyria

  7. Ancient Assyrians • From the end of 10th century BC to the 7th century BC, the Ancient Near East was dominated by the dynamic military power of Assyria • The first ancient civilization that rightly deserved to be called an "empire" • At its height, Assyria laid claim to an empire that stretched from Egypt in the west • To the borders of Iran in the east • Encompassed for the first time in history, within the realm of a single imperial domain, the whole of the “Fertile Crescent”

  8. Maximum Extent of the Neo-Assyrian Empire (627 BC)

  9. Neo-Assyria • Assur, the city by which Assyria eventually became known, was famous for the worship of its chief god, "Ashur," who was derived from the Sumerian pantheon • This kingdom was initially established on the cities of Nineveh, Ashur and Arbil • This heartland of the plains contained rich agricultural wealth, but had no natural boundaries to provide defensible frontiers • Thus, the productive grainlands of Assyria offered open and desirable access and rich plunder to any predatory nomads, mountain peoples or power who, fielding a superior military organization, could impose its own will on the land of Ashur • The only salvation in the face of such vulnerability lay in the conscious development and maintenance of an effective military that would prosecute vigorous and, when necessary, ruthless offensive campaigns against those enemies who threatened the security of the Assyrian state

  10. Need for an Army • Nevertheless, the quest for security and economic advantage are not enough to explain Assyrian militarism • In addition, there arose an ideological dimension to such expansionism in the conviction of the Assyrian kings that the god Ashur had laid upon them the task of unifying the world under his command “Ashur, father of the gods, empowered me to depopulate and repopulate, to make broad the boundary of the land of Assyria.” • Such words also draw our attention to the central role of the king in the evolution of Assyria's power • As the embodiment of the state, the monarch was the arbiter of all matters to do with Assyria • The king was at once the appointed agent of the god Ashur • He was the commander in chief of the army, and • He alone determined domestic and foreign policy • Assyria's rise to empire in the Neo-Assyrian period is inextricably bound up with the dynamic and qualitative leadership of its kings • The corollary of this was, however, that ineffectual kings led to periods of dynastic weakness when Assyrian power underwent a temporary eclipse on the international scene

  11. Assyria • Adad-nirari II (911 – 891) • Begins Assyrian recovery after dark ages • Inspired his people to battle their way out from under their oppressive neighbors • Pushes control south into Babylon Israel • Jeroboam (930-909) • Led people of Israel away from worship of true God • Established two golden calf worship venues • Bethel in South • Dan in North • Sets bad precedence in Israel Judah • Rehoboam (930-913) • Jerusalem sacked – 925 • Abijam (913 – 911) • Asa (911 – 870) • Good King • Many faithful migrate to Judah • 901 – Defeated Ethiopia

  12. Assyria • Tikulti-Ninurta II (891 – 884) • Consolidated gains of his father • Rebuilt walls of Assur • Maintained influence over Babylon Judah • Asa continues to reign (911 – 870) Israel • Nadab (909 – 908) • Was an evildoer • Baasha (909 – 886) • Was a murderer • Elah (886 – 885) • Was a drunkard • Zimri (885) • Murdered Elah • Omri (885 – 874) • Forced Zimri’s suicide • Worst king yet Degression of worse kings

  13. Assyria • Ashur-nasir-pal II (884 – 859) • Renowned for brutality • Great empire builder • Treated Babylon with respect • Expanded to Syria • Peace with Phoenicians Israel • Omri (885-874) • Ahab (874 – 853) • Set new standard for evil among northern kings • 861: Elijah announces a famine • 857: Defeats prophets of Baal Annoints Jehu, Hazael, Elisha • 856: Ahab takes Naboth’s vineyard Judah • Asa (911 – 870) • Jehoshaphat (870 – 848) • Generally good king • But – allied with Ahab • Went into battle with Syria

  14. Brutal Force • Assyria also distinguished itself as the most ghastly, bloodthirsty, and brutal empire of the ancient world • Fearful descriptions of Assyrian aggression not only fill pages of the Old Testament, but are proudly proclaimed in the annals of the great nation itself • Flaying • Impaled on stakes • Headhunting • Dismemberment • Burning up children

  15. Assyria • Shalmaneser III (858 – 824) • 31 Campaigns in 35 years of rule • Continues policies of respect toward Babylon • 853: Attacks into Syria against Ben-Hadad II • 841: Hazael assassinated Ben-Hadad II • Shalmeneser Locked Hazael in Damascus • Jehu paid tribute (Black Obelisk) • 830-824: Civil war back in Assyria Israel • Ahab & Jezebel (874 – 853) • Ahaziah (853 – 852) • Injured in fall through lattice • 852: Elijah taken up to heaven in whirlwind • Elisha follows as second great prophet • Joram (852 – 841) • Joined Hazael and Ahaziah vs. Shalmeneser • Returns to Jezreel wounded in battle • Visited by Ahaziah • Killed in a coup by Jehu Judah • Jehoshaphat (870 – 848) • Jehoram (848 – 841) • Married to Atheliah – daughter of Jezebel • Puts to death all his brothers • Attacked by Edom, Philistines, Arabs • 845: Prophecies of Obadiah and Joel • Died of horrific disease (2 Chr 21) • Ahaziah (841)

  16. Assyria • Shalmaneser III (858 – 824) Israel • Jehu (841-814) • Killed Jezebel & 70 sons of Ahab • Paid tribute to Shalmeneser (Black Obelisk) Judah • Atheliah (841 – 835) • Mother of Ahaziah; daughter of Jezebel • Killed all the sons of Ahaziah except Joash • Killed in coup in 835 • Joash (835 – 796) • Took throne at 8 yrs old • Good king until the death of Jehoida • Bribes Hazaeel to prevent attack by Syria • Assassinated in 796

  17. The Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III • Glorifies military achievements of Shalmaneser III (reigned 858-824 BC) • Lists his military campaigns of 31 yrs and tribute he exacted from their neighbors: including camels, monkeys, an elephant and a rhinoceros • The second panel from the top includes the earliest surviving picture of an Israelite: Jehu, king of Israel, brought his tribute in around 841 BC • Ahab, son of Omri, king of Israel, had lost his life in battle a few years previously, fighting against the king of Damascus at Ramoth-Gilead (I Kings 22: 29-36) • His second son (Joram) was succeeded by Jehu, a usurper, who broke the alliances with Phoenicia and Judah, and submitted to Assyria • The caption above the scene, written in Assyrian cuneiform, can be translated: “The tribute of Jehu, son of Omri: I received from him silver, gold, a golden bowl, a golden vase with pointed bottom, golden tumblers, golden buckets, tin, a staff for a king [and] spears.”

  18. Black Obelisk – Jehu panel • King Jehu of Israel is the guy on his hands and knees with Shalmaneser to the left standing up • Israel had been gradually distancing itself from a posture of obedience to God • It wanted to get free from the constraints of the God of Israel • It found YHWH to be too demanding and wanted to experience a certain degree of liberty • Whenever we start playing that game, we are going to find ourselves in a whole new kind of slavery • Here is a king who is supposed to be the king of the people of God • He was supposed to be the one who is actually carrying the very sanction of God, and he is bowing in a kind of abject, groveling posture before a pagan ruler and his false god

  19. … Now Week 5

  20. 35-Year Power Vacuum • Following his success in Syria and Palestine during the campaign of 841 B.C., Shalmaneser III turned his attention to areas in the northwest and to the north and east of Assyria • During the final six years of his reign, he faced revolt in Assyria itself, and consequently was unable to conduct foreign campaigns; this "neglect" led to predictable conduct among his vassal states and their kings • As long as Shalmaneser III, their suzerain, marched through the land on annual or somewhat frequent campaigns to collect tribute, his subjects usually remained "loyal" under the threat of force • However, when the great king's army was occupied elsewhere for any extended time, the vassal states in the neglected area rebelled • In such a vacuum, the strongest local kingdom (Syria led by Hazael, followed by his son Ben-Hadad) dominated the immediate area and exercised power over its neighbors, especially Israel and Judah

  21. Assyria • Shamshi-adad V (824-811) • Had to settle civil war in Assyria • More rebellions elsewhere are answered with brutal and horrific punishment Israel • Jehu (841 – 814) • Jehoahaz (814 – 789) • Son of Jehu • Constant wars with Hazael and Ben-Hadad III Judah • Joash (835 – 796)

  22. Assyria • Adad-nirari III (811 - 783) • Imposed tribute on Aram-Damascus (Syria), Phoenicians, Philistines, Israelites, Edomites, and others

  23. Israel, Syria & Assyria(2 Kings 13:3-7) 3”And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he gave them continually into the hand of Hazael king of Syria and into the hand of Ben-hadad the son of Hazael. 4Then Jehoahaz sought the favor of the LORD, and the LORD listened to him, for he saw the oppression of Israel, how the king of Syria oppressed them. 5(Therefore the LORD gave Israel a savior, so that they escaped from the hand of the Syrians, and the people of Israel lived in their homes as formerly. 6Nevertheless, they did not depart from the sins of the house of Jeroboam, which he made Israel to sin, but walked in them; and the Asherah also remained in Samaria.) 7For there was not left to Jehoahaz an army of more than fifty horsemen and ten chariots and ten thousand footmen, for the king of Syria had destroyed them and made them like the dust at threshing.”

  24. Israel, Syria & Assyria(2 Kings 13:3-7) 3”And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he gave them continually into the hand of Hazael king of Syria and into the hand of Ben-hadad the son of Hazael. 4Then Jehoahaz sought the favor of the LORD, and the LORD listened to him, for he saw the oppression of Israel, how the king of Syria oppressed them. 5(Therefore the LORD gave Israel a savior, so that they escaped from the hand of the Syrians, and the people of Israel lived in their homes as formerly. 6Nevertheless, they did not depart from the sins of the house of Jeroboam, which he made Israel to sin, but walked in them; and the Asherah also remained in Samaria.) 7For there was not left to Jehoahaz an army of more than fifty horsemen and ten chariots and ten thousand footmen, for the king of Syria had destroyed them and made them like the dust at threshing.”

  25. Assyria Heads West, Again • Following both internal and external revolts against Shalmaneser III late in his reign, Assyria remained in a state of weakness through much of the rulership of his son and successor Shamshi-Adad V (824-811 B.C.) • Not until the reign of Adad-Nirari III (811-782 B.C.) did the Assyrian power really revive and take the road to conquest again • In 806 BC he takes his army into Syria for the first time in three decades • Adad-nirari attacked and defeated Syria, taking extensive tribute from Ben-hadad • Assyria’s western expeditions continued until 802. The entire west became tributary to Assyria. • Adad-nirari’s campaign in the west relieved Syrian pressure on Israel, making him Israel’s “savior” during the last days of Johoahaz (2 Kings 13:5) • This verse illustrates that God also used one foreign power (Assyria) to deliver His people from the hand of a more immediate oppressor (Syria) • In a stelae found in Nineveh, Adad-nirari says: "I received the tribute of Jehoash the Samarian, of the Tyrian [ruler] and of the Sidonian [ruler].“ • After the death of Adad-Nirari in 803, Israel under Johoash, son of Jehoahaz, was able to inflict defeat on Syria

  26. Assyria • Adad-nirari III (811 - 783) • Imposed tribute on Aram-Damascus (Syria), Phoenicians, Philistines, Israelites, Edomites, and others • Probably the “savior” of 2 Kings 13:5 who allowed Israel to escape domination by Aram-Damascus • Army rebelled against monarch – deposed him Israel • Jehoahaz (814 – 789) • Jehoash (789 – 782) • Continued struggle with Syria • Paid tribute to Adad-nirari III • Elisha dies during his rule • Jeroboam II (782 – 753) • Greatest king of Israel’s 200 year history • Time of prosperity and ease Judah • Joash (835 – 796) • Amaziah (796 – 767) • Defeated the Edomites • 785: Lost war with Jehoash

  27. Assyria Goes Home • After the Assyrians attacked and defeated Syria, they suddenly stopped their advance toward Palestine and returned to Nineveh • This abrupt retreat unwittingly set the stage for a surge of Israelite wealth and power that had steadily waned following Solomon's reign • In the absence of foreign domination, Israel's prosperity and influence began to grow • Assyria experienced a half century of decline when it had to contend with its own internal affairs as well as with threats from Urartu in the north, it greatest rival in the eighth century BC

  28. Assyria • Shalmaneser IV (782 - 773) • Son of Adad-nirari III • Remembered as weak and inept • May reflect the preaching of Jonah (780) Israel • Jeroboam II (782 – 753) • Amos preaches against easy life (760) • Hosea preaches against unfaithful Israel (755) Judah • Amaziah (796 – 767) • Also known as Uzziah in the Old Testament

  29. JONAH

  30. JONAH

  31. The Prophecy of Jonah(2 Kings 14:23-28) 23“In the fifteenth year of Amaziah the son of Joash, king of Judah, Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel, began to reign in Samaria, and he reigned forty-one years. 24And he did what was evil in the sight of the LORD. He did not depart from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which he made Israel to sin. 25He restored the border of Israel from Lebo-hamath as far as the Sea of the Arabah, according to the word of the LORD, the God of Israel, which he spoke by his servant Jonah the son of Amittai, the prophet, who was from Gath-hepher. 26For the LORD saw that the affliction of Israel was very bitter, for there was none left, bond or free, and there was none to help Israel. 27But the LORD had not said that he would blot out the name of Israel from under heaven, so he saved them by the hand of Jeroboam the son of Joash. 28Now the rest of the acts of Jeroboam and all that he did, and his might, how he fought, and how he restored Damascus and Hamath to Judah in Israel, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel?” • What does the contrast between Jeroboam’s secular achievements and his spiritual failures teach us Christians living in the 21st century A.D.? How does the author of 2 Kings assess Jeroboam as a religious leader? What kind of king was Jeroboam II? What do Jeroboam’s accomplishments described in verses 25 and 28 tell us about him as a secular leader of his nation?

  32. The Prophecy of Jonah(2 Kings 14:23-28) 23“In the fifteenth year of Amaziah the son of Joash, king of Judah, Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel, began to reign in Samaria, and he reigned forty-one years. 24And he did what was evil in the sight of the LORD. He did not depart from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which he made Israel to sin. 25He restored the border of Israel from Lebo-hamath as far as the Sea of the Arabah, according to the word of the LORD, the God of Israel, which he spoke by his servant Jonah the son of Amittai, the prophet, who was from Gath-hepher. 26For the LORD saw that the affliction of Israel was very bitter, for there was none left, bond or free, and there was none to help Israel. 27But the LORD had not said that he would blot out the name of Israel from under heaven, so he saved them by the hand of Jeroboam the son of Joash. 28Now the rest of the acts of Jeroboam and all that he did, and his might, how he fought, and how he restored Damascus and Hamath to Judah in Israel, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel?” • Give an example of how theological leaders of our time have instituted doctrinal changes contrary to the Word of God. • Why do you think these church leaders made these changes? • Are we at Redeemer OPC tempted to do similar things? Explain. • Why do you think Jeroboam II “did not depart from all the sins” of his namesake? • What warning should we Christians take from this?

  33. The Prophecy of Jonah(2 Kings 14:23-28) 23“In the fifteenth year of Amaziah the son of Joash, king of Judah, Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel, began to reign in Samaria, and he reigned forty-one years. 24And he did what was evil in the sight of the LORD. He did not depart from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which he made Israel to sin. 25He restored the border of Israel from Lebo-hamath as far as the Sea of the Arabah, according to the word of the LORD, the God of Israel, which he spoke by his servant Jonah the son of Amittai, the prophet, who was from Gath-hepher. 26For the LORD saw that the affliction of Israel was very bitter, for there was none left, bond or free, and there was none to help Israel. 27But the LORD had not said that he would blot out the name of Israel from under heaven, so he saved them by the hand of Jeroboam the son of Joash. 28Now the rest of the acts of Jeroboam and all that he did, and his might, how he fought, and how he restored Damascus and Hamath to Judah in Israel, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel?” • When we read about these kings, we often read of the prophet of God who would give God's message to the king and people. Who is the prophet of God who was on the scene during the time of Jeroboam II? • What are we told here about Jonah? • What other well-known prophet was from the region of Gath-hepher? • What message did Jonah have from God? • Why is it significant that Jonah's prophecy about Israel's expansion was fulfilled?

  34. The Prophecy of Jonah(2 Kings 14:23-28) 23“In the fifteenth year of Amaziah the son of Joash, king of Judah, Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel, began to reign in Samaria, and he reigned forty-one years. 24And he did what was evil in the sight of the LORD. He did not depart from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which he made Israel to sin. 25He restored the border of Israel from Lebo-hamath as far as the Sea of the Arabah, according to the word of the LORD, the God of Israel, which he spoke by his servant Jonah the son of Amittai, the prophet, who was from Gath-hepher. 26For the LORD saw that the affliction of Israel was very bitter, for there was none left, bond or free, and there was none to help Israel. 27But the LORD had not said that he would blot out the name of Israel from under heaven, so he saved them by the hand of Jeroboam the son of Joash. 28Now the rest of the acts of Jeroboam and all that he did, and his might, how he fought, and how he restored Damascus and Hamath to Judah in Israel, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel?” • What attitude do you think the people of Israel had towards Jonah? • What would we expect Jonah to do if God gives him another command? Why would God help an evil king like Jeroboam II? What does this teach us about God's willingness to work with less than perfect people?

  35. The Prophecy of Jonah(2 Kings 14:23-28) 23“In the fifteenth year of Amaziah the son of Joash, king of Judah, Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel, began to reign in Samaria, and he reigned forty-one years. 24And he did what was evil in the sight of the LORD. He did not depart from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which he made Israel to sin. 25He restored the border of Israel from Lebo-hamath as far as the Sea of the Arabah, according to the word of the LORD, the God of Israel, which he spoke by his servant Jonah the son of Amittai, the prophet, who was from Gath-hepher. 26For the LORD saw that the affliction of Israel was very bitter, for there was none left, bond or free, and there was none to help Israel. 27But the LORD had not said that he would blot out the name of Israel from under heaven, so he saved them by the hand of Jeroboam the son of Joash. 28Now the rest of the acts of Jeroboam and all that he did, and his might, how he fought, and how he restored Damascus and Hamath to Judah in Israel, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel?” Old Testament scholars tend to describe prophets as either “court prophets” or “free prophets.” What do you think they mean by these terms? • What kind of prophet was Jonah, court or free? • What kind of pressures would a court prophet to the king be subject to? • How might a pastor experience similar pressures in his ministry?

  36. Golden Age • The word of the LORD spoken by Jonah concerning Jeroboam's reign was being fulfilled • At the expense of Syria, Israel was expanding as far northeast as Damascus and as far north as Hamath • Judah was also expanding their territory and profited from their relationship with Phoenicia, which controlled trade in the Mediterranean world • All of these factors created a new Golden Age for Israel and Judah

  37. United Again • In power and prosperity, Israel and Judah were comparable to the kingdom of David and Solomon • Both kingdoms had especially able leaders in Jeroboam II and Uzziah who both had long reigns • Israel reclaimed territory from central Syria to the Dead Sea and expanded east over the Ammonites • Judah expanded their borders south to Elah (defeated the Arab states) and west to Ashdod (subduing the Philistines) • As a result, their joint kingdoms stretched almost as far as the geographical limits of Solomon’s reign • Israel and Judah were at peace with each other & both profited from the fact that they controlled the major trade routes A. Amos 1:2-5 C. Amos 1:9-10 Uzziah attacked Philistia and built towns among the Philistines E. Amos 1:13-15 Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem B. Amos 1:6-8 F. Amos 2:1-3 D. Amos 1:11-12 Uzziah attacked Arabs in Gurbaal Uzziahrestored Elath to Judah

  38. Israel Blessed Politically and Economically • Israel was at the peak of its prosperity and expansion during the reign of Jeroboam II • Its strategic location near the international trade routes, as well as conquests and commerce, accounted for its great affluence • Because of the outrageous tolls Jeroboam II charged for merchants to travel on these Israelite-controlled trade routes, the nation's wealth and power began to rival that of Solomon's kingdom two centuries earlier • The fertile region of Samaria was ideally suited for agriculture, with the valleys producing wheat and barley; the hills yielding grapes and olives • An impressive citadel with strong fortifications and public buildings crowned the capital city of Samaria

  39. Let’s Examine the Internal Situation in Israel under Jeroboam II and Jonah

  40. Internal Background of Israel:According to Hosea Hosea 1:2 “When the LORD first spoke through Hosea, the LORD said to Hosea, ‘Go, take to yourself a wife of whoredom and have children of whoredom, for the land commits great whoredom by forsaking the LORD.’ ” Hosea 4:1-2 “Hear the word of the LORD, O children of Israel, for the LORD has a controversy with the inhabitants of the land. There is no faithfulness or steadfast love, and no knowledge of God in the land; there is swearing, lying, murder, stealing, and committing adultery; they break all bounds, and bloodshed follows bloodshed.” • What does Hosea reveal about the religious and moral conditions in the northern kingdom under Jeroboam II?

  41. Internal Background of Israel:According to Amos Amos 2:6-8   “Thus says the LORD: ‘For three transgressions of Israel, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment, because they sell the righteous for silver, and the needy for a pair of sandals—those who trample the head of the poor into the dust of the earth and turn aside the way of the afflicted; a man and his father go in to the same girl, so that my holy name is profaned; they lay themselves down beside every altar on garments taken in pledge, and in the house of their God they drink the wine of those who have been fined.’ ” Amos 6:4-6 “Woe to those who lie on beds of ivory and stretch themselves out on their couches, and eat lambs from the flock and calves from the midst of the stall, who sing idle songs to the sound of the harp and like David invent for themselves instruments of music, who drink wine in bowls and anoint themselves with the finest oils, but are not grieved over the ruin of Joseph!” • What sins does Amos reveal about why God is going to punish Israel? • Whom does Amos warn here? What are their sins? An expensive finely crafted ivory decoration found in 8th century bedroom of Israel

  42. Internal Background of Israel:According to Amos Amos 3:15 “I will strike the winter house along with the summer house, and the houses of ivory shall perish, and the great houses shall come to an end,” declares the LORD.” Amos 4:1 “Hear this word, you cows of Bashan, who are on the mountain of Samaria, who oppress the poor, who crush the needy, who say to your husbands, ‘Bring, that we may drink!’” An ivory that decorated furniture in Israel • What do these verses reveal about Israel’s society and culture?

  43. Internal Background of Israel:According to Amos Amos 5:7, 10-13 “O you who turn justice to wormwood and cast down righteousness to the earth! … They hate him who reproves in the gate, and they abhor him who speaks the truth. Therefore because you trample on the poor and you exact taxes of grain from him, you have built houses of hewn stone, but you shall not dwell in them; you have planted pleasant vineyards, but you shall not drink their wine. For I know how many are your transgressions and how great are your sins—you who afflict the righteous, who take a bribe, and turn aside the needy in the gate. Therefore he who is prudent will keep silent in such a time, for it is an evil time.” • What additional information does Amos provide about Israel?

  44. Israel’s Spiritual/Moral Decline Ivory writing boards • Israel’s economic prosperity led to: • Self-indulgence • Exploitation of the poor • Sexual immorality • Pride • Idolatry • Legal corruption • A society divided between the unrestrained rich and the embittered poor • Ironically, this spiritual and moral descent occurred while religion flourished • The people faithfully attended the shrines at Bethel, Dan, Gilgal, and Beer-sheba • They offered their sacrifices • They believed that their relationship to God would protect them from disaster • To what extent do you think the church’s spiritual and moral decline is related to our increase in wealth and material success? • What parallels do you see between Israel during Jeroboam’s rule and the Christian church of today?

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