Topical Bible: Gentiles: The Jews: Often Corrupted By

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Throughout the biblical narrative, the relationship between the Israelites and the surrounding Gentile nations is a recurring theme, often marked by periods of influence and corruption. The Israelites, chosen by God to be a holy nation and a kingdom of priests (Exodus 19:6), were repeatedly warned against adopting the practices and idolatry of the Gentiles. Despite these warnings, the allure of foreign customs and deities often led to spiritual and moral corruption among the Jewish people.

Influence of Canaanite Practices

Upon entering the Promised Land, the Israelites were commanded to drive out the Canaanite nations and destroy their altars, lest they be ensnared by their abominable practices (Deuteronomy 7:1-5). However, the Israelites frequently failed to fully obey these commands, leading to periods of syncretism and idolatry. Judges 3:5-6 states, "Thus the Israelites lived among the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. And they took their daughters in marriage and gave their own daughters to their sons, and they served their gods."

The Allure of Baal Worship

One of the most significant corrupting influences was the worship of Baal, a Canaanite deity. The Israelites' repeated turn to Baal worship is documented throughout the book of Judges and into the period of the monarchy. In 1 Kings 18, the prophet Elijah confronts the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, highlighting the extent to which Baal worship had infiltrated Israelite society. The syncretism with Baal worship often led to moral decay and divine judgment.

Influence of Neighboring Kingdoms

The influence of neighboring kingdoms, such as Egypt, Assyria, and Babylon, also played a role in the corruption of the Israelites. The political alliances and cultural exchanges with these nations often introduced foreign religious practices and ideologies. For instance, King Solomon, despite his wisdom, was led astray by his foreign wives, who turned his heart after other gods (1 Kings 11:1-8). This deviation from exclusive worship of Yahweh set a precedent that would have lasting consequences for the kingdom.

The Exile and Its Aftermath

The Babylonian exile was a direct result of the Israelites' persistent idolatry and corruption by Gentile practices. The prophets, such as Jeremiah and Ezekiel, repeatedly warned the people of impending judgment due to their unfaithfulness. Jeremiah 2:11 laments, "Has a nation ever changed its gods, though they are no gods at all? Yet My people have exchanged their Glory for useless idols."

During the exile, the Israelites were immersed in a foreign culture, which further tested their faithfulness to God. However, this period also served as a refining process, leading to a renewed commitment to the Law and the rejection of idolatry upon their return to the land.

Post-Exilic Period and Hellenistic Influence

In the post-exilic period, the influence of Hellenistic culture posed a new challenge. The spread of Greek language, philosophy, and customs threatened to dilute Jewish identity and religious practices. The Maccabean Revolt, as recorded in the books of the Maccabees, was a direct response to the forced Hellenization under Antiochus IV Epiphanes, who sought to eradicate Jewish worship and customs.

New Testament Context

By the time of the New Testament, the Jewish people had developed a strong aversion to Gentile practices, often leading to tensions between Jewish and Gentile believers in the early church. The Apostle Paul addresses these issues, emphasizing that in Christ, the dividing wall of hostility has been broken down (Ephesians 2:14-16). Yet, the historical context of corruption by Gentile influences remained a significant backdrop to the early Christian message of unity and holiness.

Throughout the biblical narrative, the Israelites' interactions with Gentile nations serve as a cautionary tale of the dangers of compromising faith and identity. The call to be a distinct and holy people remains a central theme, underscoring the importance of faithfulness to God's covenant.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Kings 17:7,8
For so it was, that the children of Israel had sinned against the LORD their God, which had brought them up out of the land of Egypt, from under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and had feared other gods,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The First Epistle to the Thessalonians the Shorter Epistles ...
... [5892] The Jews had slain ... however, is not ascribed to marriage even among the Gentiles,
but to ... I understand to be meant by the word "body""as often as the ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter xv the first epistle to.htm

The Declensions of Christianity, an Argument of Its Truth. .
... Isaiah often mentions it, and dilates more largely upon it ... them, taught them, that
after the Jews had rejected the gospel, the Gentiles would receive ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon iii the declensions of.htm

Paul and Barnabas in Lystra.
... This was a custom of the Jews, at the ... Some of the countries, which the Gentiles
inhabited, abounded in the ... This process is so often repeated, that it attracts ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xv paul and barnabas.htm

The Relation of Christ to Prophecy, Continued.
... either to join in the superstitious follies of the Jews, or to ... Since you continue
repeating what has been so often exposed and ... [656] The Gentiles, of whom the ...
/.../the relation of christ to.htm

Acts xxii. 17-20
... for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles. ... [1092] And (at this rate) we often
find Christ Himself "speaking abusively" to the Jews when abused by ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xlviii acts xxii 17-20.htm

On the Diversity of Spiritual Gifts.
... but for the unbelievers, both for the Jews and Gentiles. ... to the salvation of the
unbelievers, who are often put to ... nor did the multitude of the Jews believe in ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec i on the diversity of.htm

V. ...
... For we have said often enough that a christian life consists in two things ... Christ
is a corner stone because he has brought Gentiles and Jews together who ...
/.../the epistles of st peter and st jude preached and explained/chapter ii v .htm

His Missionary Travels
... Jews, a few more proselytes, and a number of Gentiles. ... often, in hunger and thirst,
in fastings often, in cold ... among those races to which the Jews were most ...
/.../stalker/the life of st paul/chapter vi his missionary travels.htm

Book 12 Footnotes
... distinguish circumcised Jews from uncircumcised Gentiles, these Jewish ... to the will
of God, is observable often among God's ... and bloody enemy of the Jews, as our ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 12 footnotes.htm

The Feeding of the Four Thousand - to Dalmanutha - the Sign from ...
... same miracle would supply the need of the Gentiles, and the ... And yet even thus, how
often we do, who have ... of Jerusalem was God's answer to the Jews' cry, Away ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xxxvi the feeding of.htm