David’s dynasty indeed was glorious. He put an end to Israel’s enemies, made plans for the building of God’s Temple and even gathered the material for that Temple. Everything was in place when Solomon ascended the throne to pick up where his father left off and to assemble the Temple. Solomon’s reign increased the glory of the Davidic dynasty. Solomon was a wise and humble leader in his early years and God blessed him greatly. However, in Solomon’s latter years, he began to stray from the God of Israel and worship other gods—a direct result of breaking God’s commandment concerning multiplying wives unto one’s self. Because of Solomon’s disobedience in this matter, Adonai punished him (as promised to David). God declared that 10 tribes would be taken away from the Davidic throne and would be given to another. Solomon’s sons would rule over only 2 tribes of Israel. [We’ll study this history in more depth during the Kingdom Series] The 10 rebelling tribes would become known as the House of Israel; while the two remaining tribes (Judah & Benjamin) would be known as the House of Judah. But in honor of David, this punishment wouldn’t be meted out in Solomon’s lifetime; but rather in the lifetime of Solomon’s son, Rehoboam.
Throughout the centuries that followed, the writings of the prophets record incident after incident of rebellion and idolatry from the two houses of Israel. Both halves of this divided kingdom had 19 kings, but only the House of Judah was at least spotted with times of repentence. The northern kingdom of Israel never returned to God. It was to this divided kingdom that God sent His servants, the prophets, calling for repentance from both of these kingdoms of Israel. These messengers of the Almighty were calling for the bride of Adonai, Israel, to repent and …
This is so awesome!!! Thank you for explaining this so far! I am gleaning so much!
Thank you Kathy! I love writing these things, but sometimes I wonder if anybody’s reading them. Haha! I mean I’d write em anyway, but it’s nice to hear that somebody’s gaining something from them.
I hope to release the next one (about the New Covenant!) today, with a final article tomorrow or Monday. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this series. The next series (on the Kingdom of God) is one of my personal favorites–it’ll start rolling out pretty soon!
Have a wonderful day Kathy. And of course, if you and anyone has a question about something I’ve written or if something I’ve written has sparked any question, just ask! I love to be stumped and forced to think about things for awhile. I grow that way!
Shalom!
Hello John! What a great study! We are putting an adult study lesson together for our VBS this year and are trying to come up with a good outline. Israel’s scattering and regathering is the focus of our 1st lesson. We want to touch on the biblical data for the foundation of the last days as well as current events and archeological findings to support the Bible in EZ 38 & 39 and Revelations. Do you have suggestions for a 10 hour study? We will be using video as well each evening. Any ideas are appreciated. Thank you and God bless! Vicky Scruggs, Oak Ridge, TN
Wow Vicky, what a fun study that sounds like!..and in Oak Ridge, Tenn?! Awesome! Haha!
So, if you’re asking for suggestions concerning an existing 10-hour study (or ANY study) on Ezekiel 38/39 and the Book of Revelation, then I’m sorry to say I do not know of any. I have spent the last several years studying primarily from the Bible itself and I’m just not up-to-date on what material there is out there on these topics. I did hear a gentleman speak on some of the more current events in Israel and how they relate to prophecy–his name was Joel Rosenberg. He seemed pretty interesting.
Now if you’re asking for suggestions on a 10-hour study that you’re putting together (which I assume you are) then I can suggest some passages. Since you’ve looked into this subject already, you know very well that this subject is all over the prophets, so there’s lots of passages! But here are some I’ve jotted down in my notebook:
Isa. 11:10-14 God will assemble the outcasts of Israel and the dispersed of Judah
Jer. 3:6-23 God will pluck Israel and Judah off the land
Jer. 16:10-21 Exodus from nations to eclipse the exodus from Egypt/ God will send fishers
Jer. 18:1-10 If the nation repents there will be restoration
Jer. 23:1-8 Regathering from nations/God will give good shepherds/Exodus from nations to eclipse the exodus from Egypt
Jer. 30:3-12, 18-24 Regathering from the nations/Jacob’s Trouble/in the latter days
Jer. 32:36-42 I will regather them/an everlasting covenant/ give them one heart
Jer. 33:6-9, 12-16 Heal the Land/Perform good to Israel/Judah
Jer. 46:27-28 Though a full end of the nation, I’ll gather you
Jer. 50:4-6 Israel/Judah will come together/lost sheep/Come out of her
Jer. 50:17-20 Regathering/ no iniquity in Israel/Judah
Jer. 50:33-34 Redeemer is strong/Rest to the land/He’ll disquiet Babylon
Eze. 6:8-10 A remnant left among nations/They’ll remember Me and loathe themselves for their sins
Eze. 11:16-20 Regathering/ One heart & new spirit/heart of flesh to keep My ordinances
Eze. 28:25-26 Regathering/ Dwell safely in the Land and punish nations that despise Israel
Eze. 34 Whole chapter! Replace the evil shepherds with good shepherds that will feed people (properly teach them God’s ways)
Eze. 36:7-12 Both houses gathered to the Land. God will multiply man and beast
Eze. 36:24-38 New Spirit/ new heart/Dwell in land/loathe yourselves
Eze. 37 Whole chapter! Two houses become one in the land/appoint one leader
Dan. 9:3-13 Daniel prays, acknowledging Israel’s sins and asking for mercy/God’s response is to give the prophecy of the 70 weeks that are determined upon Israel, speaking of the coming and “cutting off” of Messiah (for others).
Amos 9:7-15 Sifted among nations like a sieve/Rebuild the sukkah of David (David’s Dynasty)
Micah 2:12 Regather Israel like a flock–there will be great noise because of the number of them
Vicky, I hope some of these passages help. There are some recurring themes throughout the prophets concerning this regathering. 1)The regathering will occur in the “wilderness”, on the “mountains of Israel”. 2)It seems that when Israel and Judah are joined together, they become invincible to their persecuting neighbors–like “fire among the chaff”. 3)It’s at the time of this regathering when Israel recognizes Yeshua as the Messiah, and all Israel is saved in a day! 4)None of this will happen until the people of God recognize the proper place of Torah in their lives and begin to obey Adonai’s commandments.
I’d love to hear what you come up with. Write back and let me know!
Shalom!
Thank you so much for your very quick reply – Wow! What wonderful notes for us to use. I really appreciate your help! God bless! Vicky
Hello again John! I would like your comments about the role of America in the end times. We have combined with a study by Gary Frazier regarding Bible prophecy and I need to prepare a brief message (10 – 15 min) before showing a DVD on the subject. I appreciate any comments you have. Thank you again and God bless! Vicky Scruggs, Oak Ridge, TN