Finally—as God had promised Abraham--God took back His Land and gave it to His people, where they were to show the world what a blessing it is to worship the One True God and have Him with you. [Joshua]

God wanted their hearts, but over and over again they abandoned Him and worshipped idols—so they were continually oppressed. Whenever they cried ‘help’, God sent rescuers. [Judges] Meanwhile, one young woman from a ‘foreign’ nation chose to take shelter under the wings of the God of Israel. [Ruth]

Despite all their blessings, under mostly terrible horrible wicked kings, first Israel and then Judah spiraled downward into—yes, unbelievably—idol worship! Elijah, David and then four other very good kings [including two boy kings!] shine. [I Samuel -II Chronicles]

For four hundred years God sent prophets warning and pleading and calling His children back. I have always loved you, He said. All day long I opened my arms to you, He said. But they refused to listen. So they were carried off to Babylon as slaves; the Temple was destroyed, and God reluctantly left . [Isaiah-Malachi ]

[Jonah and Daniel remind us that God has always loved the whole world!]

70 years later--just as God had promised, and with the support of pagan neighbors and kings!—some of God’s people returned to the land and rebuilt the Temple. [Ezra-Nehemiah]

Then there were 400 years of silence as God prepared the world for the Promised Rescuer.
Footnote: Malachi 1:2
Footnote: Isaiah 65:2
Footnote: Ezekiel 10-11
Footnote: Some of the prophets were during and after the exile; Nahum was specifically to Nineveh, long after Jonah.