Page 64 - Advanced Biblical Backgrounds Revised

7. The Northern Kingdom had all the advantages of fertile fields and was located in the middle of major
trade routes. Why was this location not advantageous for Israel?

Let’s get Personal…

Activity: How is the condition of the hearts of the Northern Kingdom like the condition of the hearts of
people in your country?

God sent several prophets to Israel to warn them to cease worshipping false gods and to turn to Him.
Why do you think they refused to obey?

What do you think it will take to bring your country to submission to the Lord?

Study Section 8: The Assyrian Background to the Old Testament
(2 Kings 15-19, Isaiah 36-37, Nahum)

Connect…

When you look back at World War II, one of the horrific acts of war was committed against the Jews.
Adolf Hitler and his cronies sought to destroy every Jewish person in the world, and they succeeded in
murdering over SIX MILLION Jewish people during their reign of terror. When the opposing forces
entered Germany and Poland, the soldiers and officers could not believe what they saw in the
concentration camps. How could any people be so brutal and barbaric against people who did them no
harm?

Today we are going to study the ancient civilization of Assyria. We will discover that what happened to
the Jews in World War II was mild compared to how the Assyrians treated those people whom they
conquered. Their brutality cannot even be described by words. God used this empire to judge Israel for
her rebellion against Him. The prophets warned Israel of the horrific days ahead unless Israel repented,
but they refused. Let’s see how God used this evil nation to judge Israel, then see that God judges
Assyria in like manner.

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