...declares the Lord.

The kingdom of Israel was unified for a few decades and during that time, it still didn’t seem like easy going. As soon as wise Solomon was dead, the nation unraveled quickly. Solomon’s very unwise son Rehoboam, was in charge of Judah and the man who conspired against Solomon, Jeroboam, was in charge of the 10 northern tribes, now called Israel. From this point on, the majority of what is done is evil in God’s eyes. Israel is taken into captivity a hundred and a bit years before Judah. And later on in the Old Testament and in the New Testament we only hear of the Kingdom of Judah, not Israel. God told Israel that they would be destroyed off the face of the earth because of their wickedness, but He would save a remnant.

Sometimes it seemed like Israel was doomed from the beginning. But in chapter 15 of The Story, we see how God sent at least 4 prophets to the northern tribes to turn their hearts back to God again. Much of the Old Testament section we call the Major and Minor Prophets is devoted to God calling His own back to Him. Even though the northern kingdom of Israel is no longer mentioned, God did not allow their punishment until He had reached out to them again and again.

​Sometimes we look at our world and we see great wickedness all around. God promises that He will punish evil, but it seems that He takes His precious time sometimes. Actually, He does, because in 2 Peter 3:9 it says “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” So if God sent prophets to try to draw Israel back to Him, who is He sending to the world now? A prophet is not only one that proclaims God’s Words of what will come, but is also one that proclaims the Truth. You and I have been sent to share God’s Word, He has given us a mission to proclaim light and truth to those around us. The prophets gave their all to proclaim the life-giving message of God’s love. What about you and me? Do we?
 
Ivan