This 18 part series explores the main moments in the Bible. This is a long story that takes place over thousands of years. It’s the story of all the ways that God has been trying to rescue and bless and love God’s people since the beginning of time. It’s the story that has been passed down and shared with billions of people. It’s a story that was written for everyone to hear, and at the same time it’s a story written specifically just for you. This chapter of the story is about Forgetfulness and the Prophet's Warnings.
Unfortunately, the Great Nation of Israel soon became splintered and divided. Under King Solomon the Kingdom expanded greatly, but with that expansion and power also came a loss of commitment to the commandments of God. The people began to think that they no longer needed God; they had become so powerful, so privileged, so great that they forgot about the God who had brought them to this point. Worst of all, in their forgetfulness, the People of God failed to care for those in need. They were so focused on preserving and expanding their own power that they neglected those amongst them who needed help. This is what angered God most of all; the people had not only forgotten God’s command to care for the orphan and the widow, but the people had also forgotten their own history; they had forgotten that God saved their ancestors when they were most vulnerable; when they were slaves in Egypt.
God sent prophets to try and steer the Israelites back but people rarely listen to the words of prophets. Remember you were slaves in Egypt once, the prophets shouted. Remember God’s command to care for the orphan and widow, the prophets said. Remember that God is God and you are not, the prophets said. But the Great Nation of Israel was too focused on its own greatness; too focused on all the things power and riches could provide them.
Eventually a greater power rose up. The Babylonian Empire conquered the nation of Israel and many of God’s people were captured and taken away from their homes and forced to live in exile in Babylon.
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