Exam 20: After the Fall: Jews in Judah and Babylon

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The tension between the exiles in Babylon and the Israelites who remained in the Promised Land can be attributed to a variety of factors. One reason for the tension is the physical separation between the two groups, as the exiles were living in a foreign land while the Israelites remained in their homeland. This geographical distance likely contributed to a sense of disconnect and differing experiences between the two groups.

Additionally, the exiles may have felt a sense of abandonment or betrayal by their fellow Israelites who were able to remain in the Promised Land. This could have led to feelings of resentment and jealousy, as the exiles were forced to endure the hardships of exile while the Israelites in the Promised Land were able to maintain a sense of normalcy.

The tension between the exiles and the Israelites in the Promised Land is manifested in the book of Ezekiel through the prophet's messages to both groups. In his prophecies, Ezekiel addresses the exiles in Babylon, urging them to remain faithful to God and promising them a future restoration to their homeland. At the same time, Ezekiel also delivers messages of warning and judgment to the Israelites in the Promised Land, condemning their idolatry and disobedience.

This tension is further highlighted in Ezekiel's visions and symbolic actions, such as the vision of the valley of dry bones, which symbolizes the restoration of the exiles, and the symbolic acts of Ezekiel laying on his side to represent the sins of the Israelites. These messages and symbolic actions serve to address the tension between the exiles and the Israelites in the Promised Land, emphasizing the need for both groups to repent and turn back to God in order to experience restoration and reconciliation.