First, the concept of monotheism in Old Testament times didn't necesssarily mean monotheism in sense that we tend to think of it. Not a denial of the existence of other gods, but a conscious decision not to worship them. Religious monogamy, as it were. So, that being the case, it isn't particularly weird that other groups trying to be respectful for some reason would want to add the Hebrew god to their own worship. Look at the sailors in Jonah, for example.
Second, it is certainly an established Jewish principle that Gd has a special connection to the land of Israel. I don't know my bible well enough to know when it became standard belief, but in my Jewish education I was taught that Gd has a male and female part, with the female part being associated with the land and the male part being associated with His people. (Now I'm terribly afraid I've switched them--I haven't thought about this for a long time.) One reason among many for Zionism is to reunite His people with His land and make his spirit whole again. I guess all I'm saying is that I was certainly raised that Gd's special connection to the land of Israel, per se, is standard generic Jewish belief. But I don't know when that first appears.
Personally, what I find interesting about the passage is that, after the King of Assyria enforces diaspora upon the Jews, he is still willing to bring a priest back to further Jewish practice in Israel. Why would he do such a thing? Was he personally visited by a lion?
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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Second, it is certainly an established Jewish principle that Gd has a special connection to the land of Israel. I don't know my bible well enough to know when it became standard belief, but in my Jewish education I was taught that Gd has a male and female part, with the female part being associated with the land and the male part being associated with His people. (Now I'm terribly afraid I've switched them--I haven't thought about this for a long time.) One reason among many for Zionism is to reunite His people with His land and make his spirit whole again. I guess all I'm saying is that I was certainly raised that Gd's special connection to the land of Israel, per se, is standard generic Jewish belief. But I don't know when that first appears.
Personally, what I find interesting about the passage is that, after the King of Assyria enforces diaspora upon the Jews, he is still willing to bring a priest back to further Jewish practice in Israel. Why would he do such a thing? Was he personally visited by a lion?
(no subject)
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.