a. "Let us build with you; for we worship your God as you do, and we have been sacrificing to Him ever since...." Narrate the events that followed this request of the Samaritans.
b. State four causes of tension among neighbours.
a. After the Israelites returned from the Babylonian exile with the permission of King Cyrus to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem, they faced opposition from the Samaritans. The Samaritans approached the returning exiles with an offer to participate in the construction of the temple. However, their motives were not entirely sincere, as there was a history of animosity and religious differences between the Jews and the Samaritans.
The leaders of the returning Jewish exiles, including Zerubbabel and Jeshua, declined the Samaritans' offer to participate in the construction of the temple. They stated that they would build the temple on their own. The Samaritans did not take this rejection well. They became adversaries of the Jews and actively sought to undermine the rebuilding efforts. They engaged in efforts to frustrate and discourage the Jewish community, both through political means and by spreading false accusations against the Jews.
During the reign of Artaxerxes (successor to Ahasuerus), Rehum, a high official, and his associates wrote a letter to the king, expressing concern about the reconstruction activities in Jerusalem. The letter accused the Jews of planning to rebel against the king once the city and walls were rebuilt. The letter also cited the historical rebelliousness of Jerusalem and its potential threat to the Persian Empire.
In response to Rehum's letter, Artaxerxes issued a decree to halt the construction of the city and the temple in Jerusalem. This decree ordered a thorough investigation into the matter and instructed that the building activities cease until further notice. It was not until the reign of King Darius of Persia that the construction received official support again. The prophets Haggai and Zechariah played significant roles in encouraging the people to resume the construction, which eventually led to the completion of the temple.
The events in Ezra highlight the challenges and opposition faced by the returning Jewish exiles as they sought to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. The Samaritans' initial offer to join in the construction turned out to be insincere, leading to a period of conflict and interruption in the rebuilding process.
b. The following are four possible causes of tension among neighbours:
1. Religious and Cultural Differences: Different beliefs, practices, and historical animosities can create tensions among neighbours. The rejection by the Jewish leaders of the Samaritans' offer to participate in the temple construction could be rooted in religious and cultural differences.
2. Historical Grievances and Mistrust: Past conflicts or perceived injustices can linger and contribute to ongoing tensions between neighbouring communities. The Samaritans' opposition to the Jews may have been influenced by historical grievances and mistrust.
3. Competition for Resources: Competition for resources, whether economic or symbolic, can lead to tensions among neighbours. The Samaritans' desire to join in the construction of the temple could have been driven by a strategic interest in sharing the benefits or resources associated with the temple.
4. Political and Power Dynamics: Political ambitions, power struggles, and the fear of potential rebellion can create tension among neighboring regions, especially when there is a perceived threat to the ruling authority. The involvement of high officials like Rehum and his associates in writing to Artaxerxes suggests a political dimension to the tensions.
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