Fatal Flaws of Ancient Israel

We’ve all heard, “History repeats itself.”But somehow, we never seem to think we’re the ones repeating it- at least at

the time.Rom.15:4 and 1Cor.10:11

Fatal Flaws of Ancient Israel

Ancient Israel corrupted its worship of God, 1Kings 12:25-33.

• In the period of the divided kingdom, Jeroboam set up alternative places/types of worship in the north to prevent subjects from returning to Jerusalem* and possibly reuniting with Rehoboam in the south.

• It was a wise political move that turned out to be spiritually devastating, 2Chron.11:13-17.

• It created a “spiritual vacuum” that hastened the northern kingdom’s plunge into rampant idolatry- and subsequent complete destruction.

Fatal Flaws of Ancient Israel

Ancient Israel worshipped other (false) gods, Jeremiah 44:1-14.

• Many residents fled to Egypt to escape the conquest subjugation of the southern kingdom of Judah by the Babylonians, v.1.

• Judah was being punished for idolatry, but didn’t learn their lesson for the refuges adopted even more idolatrous practices from the Egyptians, vv.2-10.

• Though the plan was to return to Judah after the Babylonians left, God said they would instead be “cut off,” and “become a curse and a reproach,” vv.8,11-14.

Fatal Flaws of Ancient Israel

Ancient Israel disregarded the sanctity of marriage, Malachi 2:10-16.

• From the beginning of the nation, God warned Israel against marrying the heathen*, cf. Josh.23:12-13.

• Throughout their history, Israel had repeatedly ignored this warning and disobeyed, Neh.13:23-29.

• They often flippantly divorced “the wife of your youth” in order to marry whomever they pleased. Mal.2:12,14-16 shows God’s disdain of their practices.

Fatal Flaws of Ancient Israel

Ancient Israel depended on foreign political and military alliances instead of God, Isaiah 8:1-15.• Ahaz, king of Judah, sought a protective alliance with

Assyria against Israel (northern 10 tribes) and Syria instead of trusting God, Isa.7:1-2.

• God, through Isaiah, told Ahaz not to fear Israel or Syria for He would use Assyria to punish and destroy both of them, Isa.7:4-9,20.

• But Judah would not listen, and trusted Assyria, who ultimately turned on them as well, Isa.8:4-15.

Fatal Flaws of Ancient Israel

Ancient Israel was destroyed for lack of knowledge of God, Hosea 4:1-6.

• There was rampant sin and no faithfulness, kindness, or knowledge in the land, vv.1-3.

• Yet there was no spiritual leadership to contend and correct, vv.4-5.

• Thus the priesthood and the nation was rejected by God for rejecting and forgetting the knowledge of God, v.6.

Fatal Flaws of Modern America?

Is not America repeating this history by:• Corrupting the worship of God?• Turning to false gods and modern forms of

idolatry?• Disregarding the sanctity of marriage?• Depending on foreign alliances instead of faith

and trust in God?• Constantly “dumbing down” our knowledge of

God and His ways?

Fatal Flaws of Modern America?

What can you and I do?• Take a stand for and demand N.T. worship, John 4:23-24;• Refuse and refute pluralism and preach Jesus, Acts 4:12;• Teach your children to respect God’s plan for marriage,

Matt.19:1-6; Heb.13:4;• Remember that no nation, including ours, stands without

faithfulness to God- regardless of military might or alliances, Prov.14:34; and,

• Read and study God’s word individually and collectively, and pray for knowledge, understanding, and wisdom, Acts 17:11; 2Tim.2:15; Jas.1:5-8.