They are turned back to the iniquities of their forefathers, which refused to hear my words; and they went after other gods to serve them: .. . The Old Testament prophet Ezekiel also lamented such a movement in Israel: There is a conspiracy of her prophets in the midst thereof, like a roaring lion ravening the prey; they have devoured souls; they have taken the treasure and precious things; they have made her many widows in the midst thereof. These conspiracies so corrupted Judah and Israel that the two nations were conquered, and their people taken away into slavery by Assyria and Babylon. Intellectuals often scoff at the mention of conspiracy, but it is impossible to believe the Scriptures and not believe in conspiracies. Conspiracies are mentioned thirty times in the Old Testament, often in connection with the overthrow, or attempted overthrow, of existing governments. The existence of secret oral traditions among the Jews could well explain some of the language of the New Testament. In John 7:49 for example, the Pharisees said, "But this people who knoweth not the law are cursed." Yet, the people did know the written law. At this time in the history of the Jews, the Law was revered by the common people and regularly read to them in the 16 The Secret Side of History Ezekiel 22:25