So, these particular Kings of Assyria are known from the Assyrian side for really supporting the idea of local cultures even while engaging in mass deportation; they had a whole court of deposed kings kept around as advisors. So I suspect that, given the choices of lion harassment or adding Hebrew worship by shipping a priest back, he saw nothing wrong with the Jewish religion per se.
Regarding the earlier point - it's not that I disagree that the Lord has a special connection to Israel the land - although I find that problematic from a modern political perspective, as it's been used to justify the settlements. What I find surprising in this passage is the idea that foreigners moving to Israel are expected to follow the Lord. That the Lord might attack foreigners moving in, sure - but that they could stop the lions by worshiping Him in a polytheistic sort of way - that is interesting.
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orichalcum.livejournal.com at 05:51am on 12/02/2009![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Regarding the earlier point - it's not that I disagree that the Lord has a special connection to Israel the land - although I find that problematic from a modern political perspective, as it's been used to justify the settlements. What I find surprising in this passage is the idea that foreigners moving to Israel are expected to follow the Lord. That the Lord might attack foreigners moving in, sure - but that they could stop the lions by worshiping Him in a polytheistic sort of way - that is interesting.