Page 276 - Bible History

Unit Five
HOW GOD'S CHOSEN PEOPLE WERE LED INTO CAPTIVITY ND THEIR KINGDOM W S DESTROYED
I. THE ASSYRIAN INVASIONS
1. THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL ARE TAKEN CAPTIVE
For a while the kingdoms of Juda and of Israel P
were prosperous. They continued to regain the terri- tory which their enemies had taken from them. They rebuilt their cities and built forts even in the deserts and the open countries to protect themselves from 1nvas10ns.
The two kingdoms became wealthy. The prophets tell of their jewelry, their houses of stone and their couches of ivory. They had harps and psalteries and songs. They had an abundance of all good things, wine, meats, corn, oil, and ax.
But we also learn from the prophets, and especially from Amos and Ost, that the poor were oppressed in favor of the rich. They were treated cruelly and forced to labor very hard for little pay. The prophets rebuked the people for this and also for idolatry, curs­ ing, dishonesty, murder, and adultery. They foretold that both kingdoms would be punished for all this wickedness.
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