History Of The Jewish Samaritan Rivalry - 1975 Words

The History of the Jewish-Samaritan Rivalry. What is a rivalry? How much hatred can evolve from cultural and religious differences? If left unchecked what sort of conflict can ensue? These thoughts had to weigh on Jesus mind as He spoke to the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s Well. As the Second Person of the Trinity, He knew history and lack of love between the Jew and Samaritan. However, it was His mission as savior to all mankind to bridge the vast expanse between these two peoples. The purpose of this paper will be to discover the history behind the Jewish-Samaritan hate and the events leading up to Christ acceptance of the people of Samaria. When a person in 2016 America thinks of the word â€Å"rivalry† the thought that comes to mind is most†¦show more content†¦Israel was one collective nation made up of twelve tribes; one tribe for each son of Jacob (and one of Joseph). These twelve tribes were all resident turned slave to Egypt. The Jewish nation prayed to the Lord their God and He released them from their bondage. They then conquered the Promised Land which God had promised their ancestors. Over the course of several hundred years the Jewish nation was a theocracy led by God and enforced by many Judges. One day the people cried out for a king, just like all the other surrounding nations. Under Saul, David, and Solomon Israel reached its pinnacle of success. It is here that the story takes an unfortunate downward spiral. Solomon was the wisest man to ever live; yet in his old age, he lost touch with God and his people. He married many foreign women and accepted their gods as his own. In addition, he enforced heavy taxes on his kingdom causing intense anger. It is here that God spoke through the Prophet Ahijah to Jeroboam and promised him the Ten Northern Tribes, if he was faithful to God. (I Kings 11:26-40) Jeroboam was an Ephraimite from Zeredah. He was a skilled young man who was put in charge of Solomon’s forced labor camps. He tried to revolt against Solomon but he failed. After his failed revolt, he stayed in Egypt until Solomon’s death. After Solomon’s death, he returned home and tried to peacefully reason with Rehoboam, the heir to Solomon’s throne.