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Question on God turning Israel over to their enemies

May 12th, 2016

Okay fellow GQ writers, I need help with this one: “How many times did God turn Israel over to their enemies?”

I don’t know if there’s a definitive answer, but I know it’s a bunch. Do any of you have an answer to this one? Thanks much!

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Evan Plante
Evan Plante The biggest problem I see is, when does it count? God allowed a gradient of “turning over,” so at what point would it be a done deal?

Like · Reply · May 10 at 11:55am
Wendyl Leslie
Wendyl Leslie Thus far, I’ve determined that during the book of Judges (a 400 year time-span), God turned them over to their enemies 12 times, then came the Babylonian exile. After Cyrus released them them from exile after a 70 year period of time of exile to return to Jerusalem, the Jews then went into a time of restoration (Ezra-Nehemiah). Then came the 400 years of silence before the New Testament period.

As such, I’m guessing God turned the Israelites over to their enemies at least 13 times. Please feel free to correct me if I’m mistaken on any part of this. Thanks much!

Like · Reply · May 10 at 12:38pm
Alyson Dreyer
Alyson Dreyer Does that include the nations that controlled Israel? Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Rome, the Gentile nations in general or just the enemies that overpowered them while in the land as an independent nation?

Like · Reply · May 10 at 3:47pm
Wendyl Leslie
Wendyl Leslie Yours is a good question, Alyson. Israel had numerous enemies that controlled or oppressed them throughout the OT. I’m mainly going to focus on those whom the Bible records as God saying He was going to “give them over”. However, I will probably add a listing of the others enemies as well. I’m guessing if the questioner wants more specific info they’ll write back. Thanks much for your input!

Like · Reply · May 10 at 8:04pm
Patrick Thompson
Patrick Thompson Interesting question and wondering why the questioner might want this information. When just skimming trough the O.T. History Books and the Penteteuch, there must be well over 70 verses concerning this. In order to come up with a somewhat accurate number might take quite an intensive search.

Like · Reply · May 10 at 11:15pm
Wendyl Leslie
Wendyl Leslie Yeah, you’d think someone would have come up with such a list. Interestingly enough, however, the “Dictionary of Bible Themes” has a list titled “Enemies of Israel and Judah” which is fairly exhaustive.

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