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The Assyrians laid siege for three years and eventually captured Samaria, deporting the ten tribes to Assyria
The author clearly stated that all these happened to Israel because they sinned against God, who had delivered them from slavery in Egypt
The sins of Israel are numerous; they worshipped the gods of the Canaanites and also embraced the practices that their ungodly kings had introduced
They rejected the terms of the covenant between God and their ancestors, worshipping idols cast in the shape of calves and Asherah poles, arousing God’s anger
They disregarded God’s warning through the prophets, ignored God’s law, and went as far as sacrificing their children to the Canaanite gods
This was why God removed them from his presence, gave them into the hands of plunderers, who took them from their homeland into exile in Assyria
Jesus rebuked the church in Laodicea for being self-satisfied about their spiritual status
They are characterized by lukewarmness and God warns of spitting down out of his mouth.
They have be hot or cold, and not lukewarm
They seem to glory in their physical wealth, boasting in their self-sufficiency and overlooking God’s help
But to Jesus, they are destitute, miserable, pitiful, blind, and naked
Although, the city of Laodicea is reputable in banking, medicine, rich in fine wool, and was one of the most flourishing cities of Asia Minor, Jesus said that true riches will come from buying refined gold from him.
Their nakedness will be truly covered by purchasing white clothes from him and their true sight will come from buying medicine for their eyes from him
Jesus corrects and punishes those he loves, hence, they should take correction and repent
Again, God deals with us on a personal basis, open the door of your heart to him