Israel and Judah: The Way to Destruction

Abstract

The hymn of the Fathers found in the Book of Ben Sira of the Old Testament gives a survey of the history of ancient Israel from the perspective of Israel’s heroes, the „fathers”. In our third essay on the subject the years of the divided kingdom (Israel and Judah) are studied. The cause of the fall of the independent state is found in the moral and religious attitude of both the rulers and the people. Interesting military incidents appear in these chapters of the hymn, primarily military issues however do not interest the author at this point of history review. As for military history Ben Sira’s teaching receives great emphasis at this milestone of Israel’s ancient history: the military fall is blamed on the sinfulness of the ruler and the people and it is only God who can and will influence the events due to the prayers and intervention of prophets, the repenting king and nation. The paths of history and the outcome of military conflicts within history is determined by the constant divine presence and mercy.