DECEPTION - God's Puzzle Solved

20 God’s Old Covenant And God’s New CovenantWhen The Israelites were divided into two kingdoms,their combined military powers were reduced. Theystarted to make covenants with other nations. By The7 th Century B.C., they declined (morally) because theywere so involved with the other nations. Israel wastaken captive by Assyria. Judah was taken captive130 years later. Eventually, Israel and Judah both becamecorrupt – hence the prophesied captivity.God found His people had become as sinful as the nationsaround them (Isaiah 1). They became very violentand were wicked towards their own people, especiallythe widows and the poor. They remained great churchgoersin keeping The Works of The Law – but they hada wrong heart. Read the whole Book of Isaiah, whichis a prophecy about Israel’s destruction. By followingtheir lovers and becoming like those nations whichthey followed, God allowed them to go into captivity.Cyrus, The MedeFor seventy years, Judah remained in captivity. TheTen Tribes of Israel were absorbed by The GentileNations and became The Ten Lost Tribes (Amos 9:9).Only Judah remained as The 21/2 Tribes. After beingconquered by Babylon, Cyrus allowed Judah torestore The Temple under Zerubbabel, as Governor.Judah’s return to Jerusalem is foretold – but it willbe at The Time of Jacob’s Trouble until Christ comesback (Jeremiah 30:1-7).The Book of Malachi prophesies how Jesus wouldcome to restore The Temple of God along with another