Introduction
Yahweh made a covenant with the people of Israel. He did this with the idealistic expectation of sinlessness on their part. The sin offerings they made were to cover uncleanness and unintentional or unknown sins.
Reality of Rebellion
It pained Yahweh’s heart that His people found reasons to distrust His love and care for them. Despite His promises and efforts to place them in an Eden- like country (Deuteronomy 6:11), they so often looked to lesser gods for provision, protection, and procreation.
This led strong Israelites to steal from, kill, and abuse their weaker neighbors. Instead of protecting and providing for the widows and orphans in their midst, the Israelites enslaved and abused them. This turned Israel from an Eden- like country of wise, loving people into fearful, unloving fools. This blocked Yahweh’s provision of health, wealth, and wellbeing.
Prophets railed against the people’s worship of other gods and the injustices performed. Elijah believed all of His countrymen had deserted Yahweh (1 Kings 19:14). He did not realize Yahweh was at work among His people (:18).
Prophets Predicted Exile
Other prophets railed against the rebellion of God’s people. They called on the Israelites to abandon their false gods and return to trusting in God Almighty. They predicted that He would allow other nations to steal, kill, and destroy them.
Now I will tell you
what I am going to do to my vineyard:
I will take away its hedge,
and it will be destroyed;
I will break down its wall,
and it will be trampled.
Come, let us return to the Lord.
He has torn us to pieces
but he will heal us;
he has injured us
but he will bind up our wounds.
The cities in the Negev will be shut up,
and there will be no one to open them.
All Judah will be carried into exile,
carried completely away.
Prophets Predicted Restoration
These same prophets predicted Yahweh would return the people to His care in their land.
Comfort, comfort my people,
says your God.
Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,
and proclaim to her
that her hard service has been completed,
that her sin has been paid for,
that she has received from the Lord’s hand
double for all her sins.
See, I will bring them from the land of the north
and gather them from the ends of the earth.
He who scattered Israel will gather them
and will watch over His flock like a shepherd.
I will satisfy the priests with abundance,
and my people will be filled with my bounty,”
declares the Lord.
Hosea 6:1 (above).
Come, let us return to the Lord.
He has torn us to pieces
but he will heal us;
he has injured us
but he will bind up our wounds.
Prophets Predicted Changed Hearts
The prophets said that, ultimately, Yahweh would change the hearts and minds of His people and they would live in loyalty to Him in the renewed Eden- like land He prepared for them.