The fall of Israel based on the texts we have read would be contributed to the people breaking the covenant with God. The Lord is angry because they have been worshiping other gods, forsaking the poor, being promiscuous and vain, and priests are ruling by means and not virtue. The people of Israel would send their prayers and praises to Baal, but in time of need they would cry for God's help. Israelites did not fear the Lord, but only wanted his deliverance and blessings: "Truly in vain is salvation hoped for from the hills, and from the multitude of mountains: truly in the Lord of our God is the salvation of Israel (Jeremiah 3.23)."
Then when God does deliver the people of Israel, they worship their own work and do not humble themselves before God, which angered him more. Israel was then destined to fall by an army up north and its people would scatter around the world and become servants and strangers in a foreign land. God would not hear or answer their prayers until they amend their ways. If the Israelites can acknowledge their transgressions and cleanse themselves from their filthiness, then the Lord will give them a new heart and the spirit of Himself.
"Then shall ye remember your own evil ways, and your doings that were not good, and shall loth yourselves in yourselves in your own sight or iniquities and for your abominations (Ezekiel 36.31)," which reminds me of the gothic period in western Europe. The more solemn time in history, where Christians felt that because of the original sin we are naturally sinful so we must repent in order to receive salvation. Worshipping seemed less hopeful and fear of the Lord ran deep within followers. However, soon came the enlightenment and people began to find hope because the new scientific discoveries and intellectual movement remind the people they were created in God's image and can do great things. The new worship style was more celebratory and glorified God by doing good works in his name: "I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God (Isaiah 61.10)."
I always seem to relate the relationship to man to God as a child to a parent, not only because the Bible reiterates that He is our Father and we are his children, but because that is how I personally view it. The fall of Israel is similar to an under appreciated parent with a bratty child. As hard as it is to let the child go, you know you have to because it is what is best for them. I think it was hard to see mankind suffer and try to ignore his prayers, but it's what made us appreciate God's blessings and love. When you continue to try to nurture someone that takes you for granted, then the problem just get's worse.
My cousin, like the Israelites, has lived a blessed life with a good home and family. His parents would do anything for him and care for him deeply, which he knew and he took advantage of this. He lied, twisted words, and played the victim in order to get attention and people's sympathy. Then he started to just do whatever he wanted and disregarded other's feelings because he knew that everyone still loved him and would help him regardless how many people he hurt. If he needed money, he wouldn't hesitate to ask, but then would go around saying that he earned all the money from working long hours at his job, which he didn't even had. Or if he got in trouble somehow he would always blame it on someone else, "Someone put the drugs in my car," or "my teacher doesn't like me, so that's why I failed." He never took responsibility for his own actions and by nurturing him constantly we were just fueling the fire. My uncle kicked him out of the house, but continues to still help him and give him money. Nothing will ever change until they give him some tough love and let him learn on his own how good he has it.
I think that is what God was trying to accomplish with the fall of Israel. I mean you don't know what you have until you lose it, right? But when the people have repented their sins and opened their hearts to God then He "will settle you after your old estates, and will do better unto you then at your beginnings: and ye shall know that I am the Lord (Ezekiel 36.11)."
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