Jews and Samaritans

Ezra 4 introduces us to the beginning of a conflict and hatred that lasts for many centuries

We do not just want to read the story as a history lesson but we want to see what God is teaching us through his Word

This conflict will lead us to the gospel and show us our place in a world full of conflict and hatred

Take a stand for Religious Purity (1-3)

The Samaritans claimed they feared God but were involved in idol worship (2 Kings 17:24-33)

They simply wanted to add God to their worship to bring protection and help, not to serve him with their whole heart as God requires

Ahab’s father Omri established Samaria as the capital of the North. Ahab married with Jezebel and began baal worship which involved child sacrifices to their idols

The Jewish background followed by idol worship and later foreign people being brought into Samaria created a weird mix of religions that continued on until the time of Christ

Many today want to do this with Jesus. They do not want to serve him alone but want to satisfy every god for their own benefits

The Jews rejected their involvement in the restoration of the worship of God in Jerusalem

They did not want to give place to idol worship in the temple of God.

They took the responsibility upon themselves to complete the work that God had given them

Take a stand in the midst of Persecution (4-23)

The Samaritans took offense to the Jews purity of religion

Those who accept all religions are great offended by those of us who claim exclusivity

The enemies of the Jews began to do all they could to frustrate and stop the work that God had called them to do

The Jews must endure persecution for many years as they desire to build back the city of Jerusalem and the Temple of God

If we desire to do a work for God we can be sure that the enemies will tell lies about us and attack us from every direction

The Jews took a stand and did not give in to the enemies tactics

Take a stand for the sake of the Gospel

The Samaritans continued on in their mixed religion and the hatred between them and the Jews grew greater

The Jews would not talk to the Samaritans or even travel through their land

The Jews desired the destruction of the Samaritans (Luke 9:51-56)

The Jew, Jesus overcame the hatred and conflict and brought peace through his great sacrifice

Jesus’ first interaction with Samaria is with the woman at the well (John 4) The Samaritan woman brings up the conflict of Ezra 4 in vs 19-20. The Jews did not let us come and worship with them in Jerusalem

Jesus overcomes the conflict by removing temple worship from Jerusalem and every other place and opening the way for all to come to the father through Him (John 4:21-28)

Because of the love of Christ towards this hated people, many lives were changed that day (John 4:40-42)