Topical Bible: Prophecies Concerning Israel: Captivity of Patriotism of

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The prophetic literature of the Bible contains numerous references to the captivity of Israel, a theme that underscores the nation's spiritual and national identity. These prophecies often highlight the consequences of Israel's disobedience to God, as well as the enduring hope for restoration and redemption.

Captivity of Israel

The captivity of Israel is a significant theme in the prophetic books, particularly in the context of the Assyrian and Babylonian exiles. The prophets warned of impending judgment due to the nation's idolatry and unfaithfulness to the covenant with Yahweh. In 2 Kings 17:6, the fall of Samaria and the subsequent exile of the northern kingdom by the Assyrians is recorded: "In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria captured Samaria and deported the Israelites to Assyria. He settled them in Halah, in Gozan on the Habor River, and in the towns of the Medes."

Similarly, the southern kingdom of Judah faced captivity at the hands of the Babylonians. The prophet Jeremiah foretold this event, emphasizing the people's need for repentance. Jeremiah 25:11-12 states, "And this whole land will become a desolate wasteland, and these nations will serve the king of Babylon for seventy years. But when seventy years are complete, I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation, the land of the Chaldeans, for their guilt, declares the LORD, and I will make it a perpetual desolation."

Patriotism and Identity

The captivity of Israel also touches on the theme of patriotism and national identity. The prophets often called the people to remember their unique relationship with God and their role as His chosen people. This call to patriotism was not merely a political or nationalistic sentiment but a spiritual exhortation to return to the covenantal faithfulness that defined Israel's identity.

In the book of Isaiah, the prophet speaks to the heart of Israel's identity and the hope of restoration. Isaiah 49:6 declares, "He says, 'It is not enough for you to be My servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob and restore the protected ones of Israel. I will also make you a light for the nations, to bring My salvation to the ends of the earth.'" This passage highlights the dual aspect of Israel's identity: a call to internal faithfulness and an external mission to the world.

Hope and Restoration

Despite the dire warnings and the reality of captivity, the prophetic messages are imbued with hope for restoration. The prophets consistently pointed to a future where God would gather His people back to their land and renew their covenant relationship. Ezekiel 37:21-22 offers a vision of this restoration: "Then say to them, 'This is what the Lord GOD says: I will take the Israelites out of the nations to which they have gone. I will gather them from all around and bring them into their own land. I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel, and one king will rule over all of them.'"

The prophecies concerning the captivity of Israel serve as a profound reminder of the consequences of disobedience, the enduring call to spiritual patriotism, and the unwavering hope in God's redemptive plan. Through these prophecies, the Bible presents a narrative of judgment and grace, underscoring the faithfulness of God to His promises and His people.

Nave's Topical Index

Psalm 137:1
By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yes, we wept, when we remembered Zion.
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Library

Prophets and Prophets. (xxiii. 9-32, xxvii-xxix, Etc. )
... Yet thus saith the Lord concerning the residue of ... His age-long relations to Israel
had been ... In contrast, not merely were Jeremiah's prophecies conditional but ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/2 prophets and prophets xxiii.htm

The Later Hebrew Histories.
... of two other books of this last group, concerning which there ... the return, or in any
of the prophecies uttered in ... of all the great worthies of Israel; he has a ...
/.../gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter vi the later hebrew.htm

An American Reformer.
... go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel."(545). ... hear""there are some,
also, who refuse to hear anything concerning the prophecies; the blessing ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /18 an american reformer.htm

An American Reformer
... go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." Matthew 10:5 ... there are some,
also, who refuse to hear anything concerning the prophecies; the blessing ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 18 an american reformer.htm

The Old Testament Canon from Its Beginning to Its Close.
... To Zechariah's authentic prophecies were added the earlier ones ... the Lord and to teach
in Israel statutes and ... and the epistles of the kings concerning the holy ...
/.../davidson/the canon of the bible/chapter ii the old testament.htm

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... V. and Egypt: rebellion of Hoshea, the siege of Samaria, and the prophecies of Isaiah ...
And I will bring again the captivity of My people Israel, and they ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

Footnotes
... The collection of prophecies that goes under his name ... collection of scriptures he
knows, concerning the sin ... Gataker's "God's Eye on his Israel","preface, Lond ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/footnotes.htm