Topical Encyclopedia The rebuilding of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, following the Babylonian exile, marks a significant period in Jewish history. This era is characterized by the return of the Jewish exiles under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Joshua the high priest, as recorded in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. A notable event during this time is the interaction between the returning Jews and the Samaritans, which highlights the complex relationship between these two groups.Historical Context The Samaritans were a mixed population residing in the region of Samaria, north of Jerusalem. Their origins trace back to the Assyrian conquest of the Northern Kingdom of Israel in 722 BC, when the Assyrians deported many Israelites and settled foreign peoples in the land. Over time, these settlers intermarried with the remaining Israelites, leading to a syncretistic form of worship that combined elements of the worship of Yahweh with pagan practices. The Offer of Assistance As the Jewish exiles began the arduous task of rebuilding the Temple, the Samaritans approached them with an offer of assistance. This event is recorded in the book of Ezra: "When the enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the exiles were building a temple for the LORD, the God of Israel, they approached Zerubbabel and the heads of the families and said, 'Let us help you build, because, like you, we seek your God and have been sacrificing to Him since the time of Esarhaddon king of Assyria, who brought us here.'" (Ezra 4:1-2) The Refusal Despite the Samaritans' claim of shared worship, the Jewish leaders refused their offer. Zerubbabel, Joshua, and the rest of the heads of the families of Israel responded: "You have no part with us in building a house for our God. We alone will build it for the LORD, the God of Israel, as King Cyrus, the king of Persia, has commanded us." (Ezra 4:3) This refusal was rooted in a desire to maintain religious purity and to adhere strictly to the worship of Yahweh as prescribed in the Law of Moses. The Jews were wary of the syncretistic practices of the Samaritans and sought to prevent any potential corruption of their religious practices. Consequences of the Refusal The rejection of Samaritan assistance led to significant opposition and hostility. The Samaritans, feeling spurned, actively sought to disrupt the rebuilding efforts. They "set out to discourage the people of Judah and make them afraid to build. They hired counselors to work against them and frustrate their plans during the entire reign of Cyrus king of Persia and down to the reign of Darius king of Persia." (Ezra 4:4-5) This opposition resulted in delays and challenges for the Jewish community, as they faced both external threats and internal discouragement. Despite these obstacles, the Jewish leaders remained steadfast in their commitment to rebuild the Temple according to their understanding of God's will. Theological Implications The refusal of Samaritan help underscores the importance of religious identity and purity for the Jewish community during this period. It reflects a broader theme in the Hebrew Scriptures of maintaining faithfulness to God's covenant and resisting the influence of surrounding nations and their practices. This event also foreshadows the longstanding animosity between Jews and Samaritans, which persisted into the New Testament era, as seen in the interactions between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4) and the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10). The rebuilding of the Second Temple, despite opposition, stands as a testament to the perseverance and faith of the Jewish people in fulfilling their divine mandate. Torrey's Topical Textbook Ezra 4:3But Zerubbabel, and Jeshua, and the rest of the chief of the fathers of Israel, said to them, You have nothing to do with us to build an house to our God; but we ourselves together will build to the LORD God of Israel, as king Cyrus the king of Persia has commanded us. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library The Rebuilding of the Temple. The Syrian Persecution. Second visit to Nazareth - the Mission of the Twelve. At Jacob's Well The Foundation of the Church among the Jews The Woman of Samaria. The Axe at the Root --A Testimony against Puseyite Idolatry The Progress of the Gospel from the Death of Christ to the Death ... Homilies on the Gospel of John. Ancestors of the Blessed virgin Resources What was Herod's temple? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was Zerubbabel's temple/the second temple? | GotQuestions.org What was Solomon's temple / the first temple? How many temples were there? | GotQuestions.org Temple: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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