Transformation Through Exile

Karen Armstrong begins her discussion of the exile in devastating terms saying, "the destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple was in some profound sense the end of the world" (Page 79). The people of Jerusalem did not have the same religious practices we have now. Now, people understand that religion can be everywhere but this was not the case for the people of Jerusalem. Such immense importance is placed on sacrifices and connection to the area, especially connection to artifacts like the Ark of the Covenant. So when the people of Jerusalem are exiled from their homes and their physical connection to the land and all it holds is severed, it can feel like the end of the world. With no formal practices to worship Yahweh, the people were lost and could not have the same spiritual connection as before. "[Yahweh's] home was in Zion, and they could not build a temple to him in Babylon, as we would build a church, synagogue, or mosque, because according to the Deuteronomist ideal there was only one legitimate shrine for Israel and that was in Jerusalem" (Page 83). The separation from the homeland was also a separation from the religious practices they were familiar with. 

Upon the return from exile, some things had changed in the way the people of Jerusalem performed their religious practices. Things that were integral in their beliefs started to change and shift. The Ark of the Covenant had disappeared and its home in the temple was now empty. This shows a shift from the physical home of the deity being in Jerusalem to existing in a plane we are not privy to. "All people could do was to hope against hope that Yahweh would condescend to come down to meet them" (Page 95). This shift shows the turn towards a religion more similar to nowadays. 

Exile from Jerusalem

https://michelle-cameron.com/babylon-a-novel-of-jewish-captivity/