There is history that must be understood, so that we can comprehend a later decision made by the Jewish leaders. “In 722 B.C., the Assyrian king Shalmaneser V conquered the northern kingdom of Israel, and deported many of the residents of Samaria and its surroundings to other Assyrian provinces. They brought deportees from other conquered territories to Samaria to take their place. Excavations at Tel Hadid, near Lod in Israel, have unearthed material remains that contribute to our understanding of these transformative years.” (Source) The below artifact is from that same time period.
Ashurbanipal later became the king of the Neo-Assyrian empire. At the time of his reign (669–c. 631 BC) it was the largest empire in the world, stretching from Cyprus in the west to Iran in the east, and at one point it even included Egypt.
Ashurbanipal had resettled Samaria with foreigners, as was his typical strategy for nations that he had defeated in war. He carried defeated people (like the ancient Israelites) away and relocated them far from their homeland by placing them in Samaria. This allowed Ashurbanipal to strip them of their religion to insert his own.
Now it is 538 B.C. to 515 B.C.
These resettled peoples believed they could simply add the God of all creation to their long list of idols, and so they invented their own syncretistic religious practices, a type of Yahwism.
These people whom the Assyrians had moved into the area around Jerusalem while the Jewish people were in captivity asked if they could help the Jews build their temple. These Assyrians claimed that they also worshiped God.
Knowing the history of the people of Samaria and their worship of any number of idols, Zerubbabel and Jeshua the priest told the Assyrians that they did not want their help. Only the Jews could build and they would be under the instruction of the priests.
Of course, the Assyrian men then began to harass and to threaten them, doing everything they could to frighten and to discourage the Jewish people who were working so hard to build and to restore the temple.
These evil men bribed people to frustrate their purposes all during Cyrus the Persian’s remaining days and even throughout the reign of Darius the next King of Persia.
What would you do if, seventy years later, you were repairing the temple that had been destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar, and now, you still face opposition on every side? #Faith #OldTestament Click To TweetThe Letter to King Artaxerxes
The Assyrian king Osnapper, a king similar to the ancient Assyrian king Ashurbanipal of 669-633 B.C., wrote to King Artaxerxes in the universal language of Aramaic, including a list of other men who had important titles, who all wanted to stop the Jews’ building project: (Ezra 4:9-10 ESV). He wrote:
“11a (This is a copy of the letter that they sent.)
“11bTo Artaxerxes the king: Your servants, the men of the province Beyond the River, send greeting. And now 12 be it known to the king that the Jews who came up from you to us have gone to Jerusalem. They are rebuilding that rebellious and wicked city. They are finishing the walls and repairing the foundations.13 Now be it known to the king that if this city is rebuilt and the walls finished, they will not pay tribute, custom, or toll, and the royal revenue will be impaired.14 Now because we eat the salt of the palace and it is not fitting for us to witness the king’s dishonor, therefore we send and inform the king,15 in order that search may be made in the book of the records of your fathers. You will find in the book of the records and learn that this city is a rebellious city, hurtful to kings and provinces, and that sedition was stirred up in it from of old. That was why this city was laid waste.16 We make known to the king that if this city is rebuilt and its walls finished, you will then have no possession in the province Beyond the River” (Ezra 4:11b-16 ESV).
The threat was, of course, exaggerated. They left and the king then performed his due diligence.
What would you do if you were the king?
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Great question to ponder, what would I do if I were king? So hard to know because with modern eyes, I would seek the Lord for His guidance. I’m not sure what I would have done and I’m so thankful I don’t ever have to be in such a position. Thanks for the history lesson too.
Since King Zerubbabel was appointed by a prophecy given to Haggai, he knew that he had the authority given by God to do what was right for God’s people, regardless of Assyrian opposition. Jeshua the high priest and Zerubbabel the ruler were incredibly brave men, forging out toward Jerusalem relying on God’s Word and God’s leading.
Very interesting history about the people who settled in Jerusalem during the captivity. Thanks for all your work to show us the scriptures. God bless!
Thanks, Nancy! All of the surrounding history of these events is really fascinating, so it’s been a wonderful section of history to review from the last time I really dug deep here. The Assyrians have a long and convoluted history.
I am fascinated with artifacts and history. We can learn so much from the past. Your messages continue to make me want to know more. Thank you. 🙂
I love research and studying, as this project has overturned so many facts that had gotten buried by the fog of time, since I haven’t studied this section of Scripture for 15-20 years. I’m pleased that most of what I learned the first time is still intact, yet there is always more to learn from God’s Word.
Thank you, Melissa! So much studying. So many treasures found. I thoroughly enjoy research because of the secrets it uncovers. Moving through these passages for my second time of serious study has been such a blessing. We learn so much about the Lord, and we learn so much about His chosen people, of which we are a part. He is a loving and gracious God!
Ooh, I love the way you put this back on me… what would I do if I were king? That’s a tough one, for the pressures and temptations and allure of power can be scary and too much for all of us. The best kings step up and stay strong in the Lord. They seek His wisdom and truth and guidance and then follow, no matter the odds or the threats. Whether we are kings or not, we should do the same.
A great response, Jessica! To seek the truth from the Lord would be the wise solution. As the rest of this conflict plays out, in next week’s post you’ll see what they did and how they went about it.
Hmmm . . . instead of pondering what I would have done if I had been the king, perhaps we might consider the very issue the Jews faced while they were rebuilding the temple. Because today, there are many who call themselves Christians, yet are bringing unbiblical beliefs and practices into the church in the name of Christianity. And many true Christians are allowing it in the name of unity and tolerance. Sigh. It seems our human nature has not changed much in several thousand years!
Next week I’m filling in with what they did, Ava. They were under attack, as you stated, by people who had no desire for unity, but rather who wanted to bring down the Jewish people to, instead, the pagan viewpoints of the Assyrians. But the Jews had learned their lesson in the challenge of seventy years in captivity.
Melinda, I wonder if kings found opposition on every side a familiar part of a position of authority. Jesus is our example for how to handle opposition while still moving forward in the high calling from our heavenly Father.
Most definitely Jewish kings faced opposition on every side, for they had a group of enemies attempting to keep them from re-establishing themselves in Jerusalem to serve the Lord. Since kingdoms were always under attack from others seeking to seize more influence and wealth, I believe you’re right that all kings faced opposition on every side.