Introduction to Prophecy - Church of God - NEO

8controlled the major trade routes and becamewealthy beyond measure. The greattemple that Solomon built inJ erusalem wasone of the wonders of the world.In the reign of King Solomon, Godfulfilled many (but not all-that is important,as we shall see) of his promises toAbraham and his descendants. They hadinherited the promised land, and hadpower, prestige, and prosperity. God wasready to give them even more if theywould obey. (I Kings 9:4-7).Solomon began well, but as his reignprogressed, he showed a serious characterflaw. He took as his wives manyforeign women, and much of the nation'sresources were consumed in maintainingthe army and the governmentstructure. Solomon, in all his glory, beganto forget God! It was a formula fordisaster.The last two books of the "formerprophets"-I and II Kings- record thefinal experiences of this "model nation."ISRAEL'S ROUTETO CAPTIVITYWhen Solomondied, his son Rehoboamcame to thethrone and immediatelymade a foolishmistake.The people cameto him, asking forsome relief from theheavy tax burdenHaber RiverARABIANSSamana •-•JUDAHEup/Yates Riverr9"~('Werthat Solomon had imposed on them(I Kings 12). The elders advised Rehoboamto make concessions. He choseinstead to listen to younger, inexperiencedmen. On their advice, and flushedwith self-confidence and power, Re ­hoboam told his people that far from gettingrelief, they could expect even morepressure from on high!That did it! The 10 northern tribesbroke away and formed their own nation,to be known as the House of Israel. Onlythe tribe of Judah, most of the priests(Levi) and the small tribe of Benjaminremained loyal to Rehoboam and becameknown as the kingdom of Judah (verses16-24).Now the story of the chosen peoplesplits into two. The northern kingdom ofIsrael under their leader, Jeroboam, beganto adopt customs of the neighboringCanaanite religions, which God had expresslyforbidden.The kingdom of Judah did not deteriorateas fast, although even it was not whatit should have been.As the decades went by, the House ofIsrael and eventually the House of Judahdrifted into idolatry. The rest of I Kingsand II Kings tell the dismal story. TheHouse of Israel never returned to its spiritualroots.Occasionally there is abrief upturn in Judah, asa righteous king tries tobring the nation to itssenses. The revival doesnot last long- his successorstake the peopleeven farther down thepath to spiritual ruin.God was patient andmerciful, but he couldnot forget the terms ofthe covenant. Israel wasan example-for betteror worse-for all people.They must reap whatthey sow.So begins a very significantchapter in thestory of these ancient peoples. Butfirst, God sends each of them awarning because, as the prophetAmos said, "Surely the Lord Goddoes nothing, unless He revealsHis secret to His servants theprophets" (Amos 3:7).Enter the ProphetsThere were many prophets.Some have only a brief mention.Others, like Elijah, we know of by theirdeeds, although they themselves left nowritten record.Then there are those we call the writtenprophets-men like Isaiah, Jeremiah,Ezekiel and the 12 "minor" (but by nomeans insignificant) prophets- whose