Hoshea reigned in Israel for 9 years. Assyria conquered Israel when he didn't pay them tribute.
God did this to Israel because they sinned against and forsook Him, worshiping idols. He sent prophets to warn and correct them, but they didn't listen, but even worshiped Asherah and sacrificed their children. So God wiped them out, leaving only Judah. Judah disobeyed, too.
Assyria resettled other peoples in Israel, and they brought their gods to worship. Assyria had to make Israel's priests teach the people to worship Yahweh. To this day the "Samaritans" are a syncretistic people, worshiping God and other gods both.
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Hezekiah reigned in Judah for 29 years. He sought the Lord more than any other king of Judah. He tore down the high places. Assyria conquered Israel in his 6th year, and then besieged Jerusalem and intimidated Hezekiah, treating God like other nations' gods.
How this is about Jesus
When Jesus returns, it will be in judgment on the wicked, and He will turn away even professors of faith in Him who aren't really loyal (2 Thessalonians 1:6-10; Matthew 7:21-23).
Application
The Samaritans were hated by Jews largely for their syncretistic history recounted here. Yet Jesus treats them in stories (Good Samaritan!) and in person (John 4) as people of dignity equal to anyone else, who need His salvation. We should do no less with whatever group we now single out for unique condemnation - I'd suggest Muslims and homosexuals as the two most prominent, for my circles.
God did this to Israel because they sinned against and forsook Him, worshiping idols. He sent prophets to warn and correct them, but they didn't listen, but even worshiped Asherah and sacrificed their children. So God wiped them out, leaving only Judah. Judah disobeyed, too.
Assyria resettled other peoples in Israel, and they brought their gods to worship. Assyria had to make Israel's priests teach the people to worship Yahweh. To this day the "Samaritans" are a syncretistic people, worshiping God and other gods both.
18
Hezekiah reigned in Judah for 29 years. He sought the Lord more than any other king of Judah. He tore down the high places. Assyria conquered Israel in his 6th year, and then besieged Jerusalem and intimidated Hezekiah, treating God like other nations' gods.
How this is about Jesus
When Jesus returns, it will be in judgment on the wicked, and He will turn away even professors of faith in Him who aren't really loyal (2 Thessalonians 1:6-10; Matthew 7:21-23).
Application
The Samaritans were hated by Jews largely for their syncretistic history recounted here. Yet Jesus treats them in stories (Good Samaritan!) and in person (John 4) as people of dignity equal to anyone else, who need His salvation. We should do no less with whatever group we now single out for unique condemnation - I'd suggest Muslims and homosexuals as the two most prominent, for my circles.
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