The Threshold of the Renewed Kingdom - John the Baptist

The desolation of Jerusalem by the Babylonians saw the end of the Israelite kingdom and the final fracture of the covenant relationship between Yahweh and Israel. Many would return to Judea and the temple and city would be rebuilt, but the Israelite people recognized that their exile continued so long as their God remained absent. Incessant covenant unfaithfulness had moved Him to depart and scatter His people in exile, and only forgiveness and reconciliation would bring that alienation to an end. It was in view of that hope and longing that John the Baptist emerged in Israel and undertook his mission of preparing his countrymen for Yahweh's return to cleanse and restore His people and establish the kingdom He'd pledged to David.