Ten Exiles by Rev. Raymond Parnell

Almighty God blessed the patriarch Jacob with thirteen children: Dinah and twelve sons. The many stories about this family have thrilled, dismayed, saddened, inspired, as well as offered hope for renewal. Who hasn't cried while reading about the brothers' plot to kill young Joseph? Then, after deciding to spare his life, they sold him to slave traders for twenty pieces of silver. His life in Egypt was harsh, but the saying, "give a person a lemon and he will make lemonade," fit him perfectly. He would not stay down but worked his way up to the office of Prime Minister, next only to the King! Eventually he met his brothers again and gave them life-saving food, and forgiveness. It would be wonderful to continue in such a vein, but many years later, after having multiplied greatly, something happened that remains until today.

Sargon II

In the year 975 B.C., King Rehoboam made a fatal decision which resulted in severance of fellowship among the brothers. Two tribes remained faithful to the family of David, but ten broke away, choosing Jeroboam as their potentate. He made a decision even worse than the one which caused the schism. He refused to permit the ten tribes to go to worship in the holy city! His excuse was: "It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem" Kings 12:28.

They chose a new god, a golden calf!

Tilglath Pileser III

"The Assyrians conquered the northern kingdom of Israel in 722 B.C. and deported the population. These Israelites -- the 'Ten Lost Tribes' -- were never heard from again. Three different Assyrian kings were responsible for Israelite deportations: Tilglath-Pileser III (722-705 B.C.), Shalmaneser V (727-722 B.C.) and Sargon II (722-705 B.C.)" Biblical Archaeology Review, Nov-Dec 2003.

The ten tribes were not taking a vacation to the beach, nor were they merely staying home from work a couple months. They became exiles forever! No more could they come and go as they pleased, salute their national flag, go to the temple (they had settled that years before), or simply live as good Jews. Forever...

Many lessons can be learned from this sad story, but one is paramount: unity is essential. Let us as Christians work hard together to win the lost, never permitting ourselves to bite and devour one another. Let us continue steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayer.