Israel continued to slip into evil ways including the worshipping of false gods. As punishment God allowed King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylonia to conquer Israel. The Babylonians took the treasures of the royal palace and stripped the Temple. They exiled most of the people of Jerusalem to Babylon and later had the First Temple in Jerusalem destroyed when a rebellion was put down.
Much of the writings of the prophets is to call attention to the lost way of the Israelites and urge redemption:
I responded to those who did not ask,
I was at hand to those who did not seek Me;
I said, “Here I am, here I am,”
To a nation that did not invoke My name.
I constantly spread out My name.
To a disloyal people,
Who walk the way that is not good,
Following their own designs…
(Isaiah 65:1-2)
“When Babylon’s seventy years are over, I will take note of you, and I will fulfill to you My promise of favor - to bring you back to this place. For I am mindful of the plans I have made concerning you -declares the LORD - plans for the future. When you call Me, and come and pray to Me, I will heed you. You will search for Me and find Me, if only you seek me wholeheartedly. I will be at hand for you - declares the LORD - and I will restore your fortunes. And I will gather you from all the nations and from all places to which I have banished you - declares the LORD - and I will bring you back to the place from which I have exiled you.” (Jeremiah 29:10-14)
The third part of the Tanakh consists of the Kethuvim, the Writings. It is a collection of books with very diverse perspectives and points of view. One of the most famous and highly praised is the book of Psalms. Most of these verses are attributed to David, the great poet, and are written to God:
Man, his days are like those of grass;
he blooms like the flowers of the field;
a wind passes by and it is no more,
its own place it no longer knows it.
But the LORD’s steadfast love is for all eternity toward those who fear Him,
and His beneficence is for his children’s children of those who keep His covenant
and remember to observe His precepts.
The LORD has established His throne in heaven, and His sovereign rule is over all.
(103:15-19)
Equally famous is the book of Proverbs in which the wisdom of Solomon is distilled in the wonderfully structured sayings, creating a wealth of advice for living. The following is but a small sampling:
Happy is the man who finds wisdom,
The man who attains understanding.
Her value in trade is better than silver,
Her yield, greater than gold.
She is more precious than rubies;
All of your goods cannot equal her.
In her right hand is length of days,
in her left, riches and honor.
Her ways are pleasant ways,
And all her paths, peaceful.
She is a tree of life to those who grasp her,
And whoever holds on to her is happy.
(3:13-18)
A capable wife is a crown for her husband,
But an incompetent one is like rot in his bones.
(12:4)
Better a meal of vegetables where there is love
Than a fattened ox where there is hate.
(15:17)
Pride goes before ruin,
Arrogance before failure.
Better to be humble and among the lowly
Than to share spoils with the proud.
(16:18-19)
He who loves transgression loves strife;
He who builds a high threshold invites broken bones.
(17:19)
Many designs are in a man’s mind,
But it is the LORD’s plan that is accomplished.
(19:21)
Through forbearance a ruler may be won over;
A gentle tongue can break bones.
(25:15)
If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat;
If he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
You will be heaping coals on his head,
And the LORD will reward you.
(25:21-22)
As a dog returns to his vomit,
So a dullard repeats his folly.
If you see a man who thinks himself wise,
There is more hope for a dullard than for him.
(26:112)
Also attributed to Solomon is the beautiful Song of Songs. Meant to be a love poem to God, it has verses in which the sensuality is vivid:
How fair you are, how beautiful!
O Love, with all its rapture!
Your stately form is like a palm,
Your breasts are like clusters.
I say: Let me climb the palm,
Let me take hold of its branches;
Let your breasts be like clusters of grapes,
Your breath like the fragrance of apples,
And your mouth like the choicest wine.
Let it flow into my beloved as new wine
Gliding over the lips of sleepers. (7:7-10)
The book of Job