During the Babylonian Exile, the prophets offered hope and guidance to the Israelites. They encouraged the people to obey God and change their ways. The prophets also envisioned a just society where all people would be treated fairly. Their message influenced later religions. They quoted the prophets' words about creating a just world. The passages from Amos and Jeremiah predicted punishment for those who disobeyed God but ultimately promised a restoration and a righteous leader who would bring safety and justice.

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NAME DATE CLASS
The Israelites
Primary Source Activity
Lesson 2 The Israelite Kingdom
The Prophets
After a period of fighting, the Chaldeans reclaimed Jerusalem
in 586 b.c. The Chaldean king Nebuchadnezzar responded
harshly to the people of Judah’s revolt. He demolished
Jerusalem. In doing so, he destroyed the temple. He also
captured the king and took thousands of people from Judah to
Babylon. This time is known as the Babylonian Exile. It marks
a difficult time in Jewish history. Many of Judah’s people were
saddened to live so far away from their homeland.
During this time, the prophets played a crucial role. They
offered hope during a period of great sorrow. The prophets
also provided guidance to those in need. They pointed out
when the people were not obeying God. They encouraged
people to change their lives for the better.
The prophets also focused on making the world a better place.
They wrote about the Jewish goal of a just society in which all
people are treated fairly. Their words influenced both
Christianity and Islam. In 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,
quoted the prophets in his famous “I Have a Dream” speech.
Directions Answer the following questions.
Reading 1
“Surely the eyes of the Sovereign LORD
are on the sinful kingdom.
I will destroy it
from the face of the earth.
Yet I will not totally destroy
the descendants of Jacob,”
declares the LORD.
“For I will give the command,
and I will shake the people of Israel
among all the nations
as grain is shaken in a sieve,
and not a pebble will reach the ground.
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2. CopyrightbyTheMcGraw-HillCompanies.
NAME DATE CLASS
The Israelites
Primary Source Activity Cont.
All the sinners among my people
will die by the sword,
all those who say,
‘Disaster will not overtake or meet us.’
“In that day
I will restore David’s fallen shelter—
I will repair its broken walls
and restore its ruins—
and will rebuild it as it used to be.”
—Amos 9:8–11, New International Version
Reading 2
“I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I
have driven them and will bring them back to their pasture, where they will be
fruitful and increase in number. I will place shepherds over them who will tend
them, and they will no longer be afraid or terrified, nor will any be missing,”
declares the LORD.
“The days are coming,” declares the LORD,
“when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch,
a King who will reign wisely
and do what is just and right in the land.
In his days Judah will be saved
and Israel will live in safety.
This is the name by which he will be called:
The LORD Our Righteous Savior.”
—Jeremiah 23:3–6, New International Version
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3. CopyrightbyTheMcGraw-HillCompanies.
NAME DATE CLASS
The Israelites
Primary Source Activity Cont.
Analyzing Primary Sources
Directions: Answer the following questions.
1. Identifying What does the writing from Amos suggest will
happen to those who break God’s laws?
2. Identifying Point of View What prediction does the
passage from Amos offer about Israelite society?
3. Describing What kind of leader does God promise in the
passage from Jeremiah?
4. Evaluating How would you characterize the tone of the
writing from Jeremiah?
Critical Thinking
5. Comparing How are these two passages similar?
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