Why did God bring conquering nations against Israel throughout history?
God chastened Israel for rebellion, unbelief, and idolatry. In 2 Samuel 7, He told David that if Israel committed iniquity, He would correct them with the rod of men—using other nations. So throughout history, when Israel turned from God, He brought conquering nations to discipline them and place them in subservience.
Les explains that God's promise to David goes back to the Abrahamic covenant, where God promised Abraham a nation, a land, and eventually a ruler or government over the Kingdom. In 2 Samuel 7, God speaks through Nathan about Solomon and the perpetual throne, but He also speaks of the nation of Israel, the children of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. If they committed iniquity, God said He would chasten them, spank them, with the rod of men—using other nations. Les points out that this is exactly what God has done through history: when Israel became rebellious and steeped in unbelief or idolatry, God brought in a conquering nation and put them in subservience.