From a holy heart comes holy actions and as a result of holy doings come holy feelings. Anything else is a counterfeit holiness.
Throughout Israel’s existence as a nation, they have had numerous complex dealings with the nations around them. This is, at least in part, due to the closeness of their land geographically with so many bordering nations. As is true with many nations that have come and gone throughout history, some of Israel’s neighbours have gone from being foes to being allies or from being allies to being foes. As such, this complicates international deals brokered, whether in times of peace or war.
Almost 140 years before the southern kingdom of Judah went into Babylonian captivity, the northern kingdom of Israel was taken into Assyrian captivity. And, whereas the kingdom of Judah returned to the land, there is no corresponding record of the kingdom of Israel doing the same. This has led to much speculation on the present identity of the lost tribes of Israel, which make up ten of the twelve tribes of the ancient Hebrews.
