One God Summary and Analysis

In the second chapter, Karen Armstrong outlines the origin of the Israeli nation by noting that the northern kingdom of Israel was conquered, in 722 BCE, by the Assyrian king Sargon, and its people were forced to assimilate with the Assyrians and consequently disappeared from history as a separate nation. At the same time the much smaller kingdom of Judah was also under threat.

Armstrong, using historical and biblical texts, describes the evolution of Yahweh, the God of Israel. In the Temple of Judah, various prophets emerged who enunciated the message from Yahweh. Thus Isaiah proclaimed the forthcoming devastation of the peoples of Israel but simultaneously promised them eventual victory and survival. The role of Yahweh now assumed the role of lord and master of history. No longer was Yahweh a champion and defender of a specific people but would...