The Fall of Israel

In King Hezekiah’s fourth year, which was the seventh year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, Shalmaneser king of Assyria marched against Samaria and laid siege to it. At the end of three years the Assyrians took it. So Samaria was captured in Hezekiah’s sixth year, which was the ninth year of Hoshea king of Israel. The king of Assyria deported Israel to Assyria and settled them in Halah, in Gozan on the Habor River and in towns of the Medes. This happened because they had not obeyed the LORD their God, but had violated his covenant–all that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded. They neither listened to the commands nor carried them out. 2 Kings 18:9-12

Samaria, the capital of the northern tribes is captured after a 3 year siege. Israel has fallen! Many of the people of the northern tribes will be taken into captivity in Assyria. In their place, Assyria will repopulate Israel with people from Babylonia and other Eastern countries. These new people will become a hybrid of Jews called Samaritans. Israel’s fall came despite the Lord’s numerous warnings through his prophets. But Israel would not stop violating God’s first command (as well as others), “You shall have no other gods before me.” No idols – don’t worship something made by man’s hands – don’t worship them. God wanted their hearts to be fully after Him then. He wants the same thing of us today. He wants your heart fully devoted to Him, not to your job, your money, your possessions, you fill in the _________. There’s a TV commercial with the tag line, “How’s your heart?” That’s a question we should all ask and make sure you can answer in the affirmative.