Useful Bible Studies > 2 Kings Commentary > chapter 17
The real reason why Assyria’s army defeated northern and central Israel, was not the strength of Assyria’s army. Many centuries earlier, God had rescued Israel’s people from Egypt. They were only slaves then – and Egypt had probably the most powerful army in the world. However, Israel’s people did not even have to fight for their freedom. Rather, God acted powerfully on their behalf, in a truly extraordinary manner.
After God had brought them out of Egypt, he led them to the country then called Canaan. This was the land that he had promised to them. Their enemies there were evil people who followed wicked religions. However, God had promised Abraham that he would act in judgment against the evil deeds of those enemies (Genesis 15:16).
In that act of judgment, God gave that country to Israel’s people. He gave them strength to oppose those enemies so that Israel’s people could take possession of that land. He wanted Israel’s people to live there in a right relationship with him.
At that time, people often thought that a country belonged to the false gods of that country. So, when someone moved into another nation, that person would often follow the religion of that country. However, God had warned Israel’s people strongly about that idea. The religions of the former inhabitants of the land were wicked religions – in fact, they were the reason why God had to act in judgment against the former inhabitants of that country (Deuteronomy 7:1-6 and 12:1-7).
Instead, Israel’s people had a serious duty to serve only the one true God. It is very sad that so many of them chose instead to follow wrong religions (see Deuteronomy 29:16-28). In that way, they brought God’s judgment against themselves.
Next part: Wrong religion brings God's anger (2 Kings 17:9-11)
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