The Reason for the Exile

Ever think about why God sent Israel into exile? Probably the most popular answer to that question would be their idoltry, and certainly God was not happy with that. However, when you look at what the God says through Prophets in warning before the exile (read Amos 5:11-17) to start with).

Also, look what God says through Zechariah about the reason for the exile. It all has to do with justice for the poor and the oppressed.

Zechariah 7:9-14
"This is what the Lord Almighty says: 'Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. in your hearts do not think evil of each other.'

But they refused to pay attention; stubbornly they turned their backs and stopped up their ears. They made their hearts as hard as flint and would not listen to the law or to the words that the Lord Almighty had sent by his Spirit through earlier prophets. So the Lord Almighty was very angry.

When I called, they did not listen; so when they called, I would not listen,' says the Lord Almighty. 'I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations, where they were strangers."

How do we live our lives today? Do we take care of the poor, the orphans, and the needy? Obviously this is a priority to God, and so it should be a priority in how we live our lives.

Danny