Why are assyrian's important?

Answer 1

In the 8th century B.C., biblically speaking... the Assyrians had come into their own as a fierce and powerful nation [empire] that struck "terror" in the hearts of any people who found themselves their target.

The brutal Assyrians gave the "applied science of terror" to the world. They nailed the flayed skin of prisoners up for public display, and mutilated those who resisted them. They burned cities to the ground and were the role models for today's terrorists.

And it happened at this time, that the God of Israel "struck terror" in the hearts of His people by bringing Assyria against them. The House of Israel had strayed from their God and His laws [adopting the idols and gods of other nations]... and a series of tragic national events occurred, which God allowed, in an attempt to "warn" His people to return to the ways and lifestyle of Righteousness.

Assyria was the vicious empire who would defeat the House [or kingdom] of Israel, following their utter failure to recognize the repeated warnings God gave to them [beginning with His removal of His protection of them from other nations]. The House of Israel failed to heed the warnings and "repent" of their godless ways. The warnings were patiently spread over an approximate three year period, to give Israel a chance to change.

It was Assyria who uprooted and removed the House of Israel from their land and the life they knew. Assyria carried them away, where they became lost to world history -- remembered as the "Lost Ten Tribes of the House of Israel."

Assyria was very important to the House of Israel in the 6th century. They had forsaken their God to the point that in a matter of a few generations, following their defeat and removal by the Assyrians, they would start to think of themselves as "Gentiles."

Unlike the Jews [the House of Judah], about 130 years later, who would go into "Babylonian captivity" and return after 70 years... the House of Israel never returned to their homeland.

They adapted and adopted the gods of the pagan nations to whom they were captives and slaves... and lost their identity as a people [the people of the God of Israel].

It's doubtful that any of them considered Assyria "important" to them... considering that they failed to understand what was happening to them... and why... and considering that they lived in terror and that the survivors had their lives turned upside down.

But Israel's scattering by Assyria played an "important" part in the future salvation of all the nations of the world through Jesus Christ.

"...Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: 'The Deliverer will come from Zion; He will turn godlessness away from Jacob. And this is My covenant with them when I take away their sins.'" (Rom.11:25-27 NIV)

At least, that's one reason why Assyria is important... as terrifying and upsetting as it might have been at the time.

Answer 2

because they were the hariest ones of all ancient mesopotamia