_ISRAEL’S DECLINE AND FALL_ ‘The children of Israel had sinned against the Lord their God.’ 2 Kings 17:7 As to the causes which led to the captivity—the one great evil was idolatry, it lies at back of all else. We have here (1) a picture of this idolatry in some of its prominent features; then (2... [ Continue Reading ]
_TRUE AND FALSE RELIGION_ ‘They rejected His statutes … and they followed vanity.’ 2 Kings 17:15 The end has come. Israel is about to be scattered, and never again to be gathered together as a nation. Here is the solemn summing up of her history during the two centuries and a half of existence. F... [ Continue Reading ]
_‘O ISRAEL, THOU HAST DESTROYED THYSELF!’_ ‘The Lord removed Israel out of His sight.’ 2 Kings 17:23 Why did this disaster befall the Northern kingdom? How was it Israel came by its overthrow? It is possible to answer thus—because Assyria was a conquering nation, and Israel lay in the path of its... [ Continue Reading ]
_HONORARY CHRISTIANS_ ‘They feared the Lord, and served their own gods, after the manner of the nations, whom they carried away from thence.’ 2 Kings 17:33 I. THIS IS THE REASON WHY SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE LOST THE PEACE OF GOD; like those Israelites they fear the Lord, but serve idols. They are maki... [ Continue Reading ]