The Hebrew Prophets, Vol. 1 (Classic Reprint) - Softcover

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Excerpt from The Hebrew Prophets, Vol. 1

Simultaneously the southern kingdom, under Uzziah (7 77-7 had enjoyed a period of tranquil development, which recalled to men's minds the splendid reign of Solomon. The two kingdoms together had in fact reached the zenith of their fortunes. The standard of comfort and luxury was high; the capital cities of Samaria and Jerusalem were adorned with splendid and substantial buildings; the military strength of both kingdoms was great; riches had accumulated in abundance. The ces sation of hostilities with Syria had, in fact, led to a large increase in the wealth and resources of both peoples. Such was the condition of things during the middle period (circ. 7 80-740) of the eighth century.

Moral and social condition of Israel. - But all this material splendour and prosperity had brought grave evils in its train. In the northern kingdom the condi tion of things was fast verging towards a perilous crisis. Ivhile the kingdom of Judah enjoyed some of the ad vantages which result from a', comparatively secluded position, and a relative purity of worship, Samaria lay open to influences which contributed to her decay. 'samaria,' says Prof. G. A. Smith, 'fair and facile, lavished her favours on foreigners, and was oftener the temptation than the discipline, the betrayer than the guardian, of her own. The surrounding paganism poured into her ample life. From Amos to Isaiah the sins she is charged with are those of a civilisation that has been ripe and is rotten - drunkenness, clumsy art, servile imitation of foreigners, thoughtlessness and cruelty. For these she falls, and her summer beauty is covered by the mud of a great deluge. Poor province, she grew ripe and was ravished before the real summer of her people.' 1 After the Syrian campaign it was evident that the ruin of the kingdom was not far distant.

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