Fort Mill times. [volume] (Fort Mill, S.C.) 1892-current, 1922-03-16
LESSON FOR MARCH ls
THE DOWNFALL OF ISRAEL

THE DOWNFALL OF ISRAEL
LESSON TExT-II Kings l7:i-ls.
GOLDEN OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES exaltsth
. nation; but sin - reproach 70 any
people.-Prov. ll:s4.
REFERENcE MATERIAL-Hosea .;
PRIMARY roPIc-whas c.ms o,
JUNIOR ToPIc-Israel.s Punishmen,
for Dfsobedience.
INTERMEDIATES AND SENIOR TOPIC
-Results OF Disobedience to God.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
How National Sins Are Punished.
{. Israel Taken Into Captivity
tvv. 1-8).
This was the fulfliment of that
which Amos had predicted in the days
Of Jeroboam II, Mt time when the
nation was at the height of its pros
perity. The northern kingdom was
ruled by 10 kings. all Of whom were
wicked. Their wickedness was not be-
cause Of lack Of information or op-
portunity, but In spite Of 1t. God
promised the first king His blessing
II he would be loyal to Him. Jero-
boam departed from God and the
apostasy thus begun continued down
ward~to the end. In the reign of
Hoshea, the last king. the king of
Assyria came and besieged Samarla
and carried the children of Israel cap
tive to Assyria. from which they never
returned.
10. The Sins Which Caused Their
Doom (yv. 7-1S).
l. Conformed to the ways Of the
heather (vv. 7-9). God had com
manded them not to follow in the
ways Of the heathen, but these
Israelites. instead of maintaining lives
of separation, secretly did that which
was displeasing to God. Secret, sins
just as surely as open sins bring|ruin,
for all things are naked and open to
Him with whom we have to do. One
may maintain his reputation before
men while practicing sins, but ruin
will sooner or later overtake him.
Even though God had cast out the
heather for practicing these sins. the
Israelites followed In their ways. God
demands separation UI Cor. 6:17).
2. Served idols (vv. 1922. They not
only compromised by walking In the
statutes of the heathen," but worshiped
their gods. 1t was not a long step
from following in the statutes of the
heather to worshiping their gods
| Before they worshiped idols they cast
Off the true God. Idolatry came III
because the race did not wish to re.
tain God in Its affection (Rom. 1 :21-
23). People today are worshipina
Idols because they have first cast of
the authority Of the living God. Man
Is worshlpful being. When ne
ceases to worship the true God, he
worships other gods. Neutral ground
Is impossible.
3. They were rebelIious (vv. 13-
15). God by his prophet had said
unto them "Turn ye from your evil
ways md keep my commandments u
but they stubbornly refused His
testimony, even rejected His statutes
God, in love, tried to save them. He
sent some of the nobiest and best
prophets who ever spoke to man to
persuade them to turn from their
| sins, such as Elijah and Elisha. but
they hardened their necks and plunged
deeper into wlckedness.
4. Caused their sons and daughters
to pass through the fire ". ~. This
was the dreadful Moloch worship-the
most cruel rite Of heather worship
It was done by kindling fire In a
hollow metal image until it's arms were
red hot and placing live children
therein to be burned to death.
s. Resorted to magical practices
". I'D. When faith in the true God
wanes. men always turn to the magical
arts. In this way they sold them.
selves to evil In the sight of the Lord
to provoke Him to anger.
~. Judgment Falls ". 1S).
At this stage OF the drama the cur
tain falls. God could not be inactive
longer.
1. God was very angry. Gods anger
is not raving fury, but the revulsior
of His holy nature against sin. Sir
cannot exist In His presence. His
wrath must strike. Though He waits
long. the debt must be paid and always
with compound interest. There Is only
one way to escape Gods wrath tha,
is, to turn from sin.
2. Removed them out Of His sight
The land Of Palestine Is regarded OF
the land CT Gods sight; that is. the
place OF His manifested presence
Their national identity was blottet
out forever. These people are still
scattered among the nations. and as q
separate nation doubtless they vii
never return to their land. The judg
ment was severe. but not more 81
than the sins merited. God had waited
long. The despislng of His grace
must eventually work ruin. What
Judgment must fall upon the people
today who reject His grace and mercy