I was reading 2Peter and then thought that the
possibly associated subject matter might be of interest to the general public who has access to read the General Category > Bible Discussion topics on the forum.
Often today we hear people referring to others as a "good Samaritan" and I have often found myself humouring such people along to show them that they are using the term out of context and the term is usually used without the person knowing that the term is from the Bible.
Some BackgroundThe Samaritans were the non-Israelite peoples who were moved into the northern part of Israel in about 677 BC to occupy the land after the ten northern tribes of Israel were taken captive by the Assyrians.
2 Kings 17 Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV)
24 And the king of Assyria brought men from Babylon, and from Cuthah, and from Ava, and from Hamath, and from Sepharvaim, and placed them in the cities of Samaria instead of the children of Israel: and they possessed Samaria, and dwelt in the cities thereof. 25 And so it was at the beginning of their dwelling there, that they feared not the Lord: therefore the Lord sent lions among them, which slew some of them. 26 Wherefore they spake to the king of Assyria, saying, The nations which thou hast removed, and placed in the cities of Samaria, know not the manner of the God of the land: therefore he hath sent lions among them, and, behold, they slay them, because they know not the manner of the God of the land. 27 Then the king of Assyria commanded, saying, Carry thither one of the priests whom ye brought from thence; and let them go and dwell there, and let him teach them the manner of the God of the land. 28 Then one of the priests whom they had carried away from Samaria came and dwelt in Beth-el, and taught them how they should fear the Lord.As in the scripture above, because the people who were moved in to the land were un-Godly they were the subject of God's wrath in the land that God had chosen as a land for His chosen people that were to be used for His plan of redemption for the whole world. Ironically one of the Levite priests was chosen to teach the Samaritans how they should live in God's land and as a result the Samaritans began to follow the Law of Moses even though they were not the chosen people. Ironic because it was because of the failure of the Levite priests as well as the rest of the people that they got kicked out of the promised land. As a result of this these non-Israelite northern people were always rejected by the southern tribes of Judah, Benjamin and the Levites associated with them who were allowed back in to the southern part of Israel after their exile was over.
Fast forward to Jesus time.
John 4 Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV)
1 When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, 2 (though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,) 3 he left Judea, and departed again into Galilee. 4 And he must needs go through Samaria. ...John 4 Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV)
39 And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did. 40 So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days. 41 And many more believed because of his own word; 42 and said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.
43 Now after two days he departed thence, and went into Galilee. It is of interest to note that Jesus spent two days with these non-Israelites (gentiles) before He continued heading north on His way to Galilee.
Could there be any significance in this spending two days with the gentiles?2 Peter 3 Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV)
3 ... there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 4 and saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. 5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: 6 whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: 7 but the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. It is of interest to note that slackness would be the description you would use of someone who is not punctual and does not turn up on time. If being diligent is one of the attributes that God wishes us to have then He must be seen to do the same as an example to us.
It is now almost exactly two thousand years that God has been with the gentiles. I wouldn't at all be surprised if all of the end time events leading up to the return of Christ occur
within the next ten years.
When things start happening it will begin without much warning to those who haven't recognised the Elijah type person who will preceed the major events and leading God's true believers to safety. When the flood of Noah started, apart from Noah and his family, they had no warning and were all killed and the same with Sodom and Gomorrah, only as soon as Lot and others associated left the city then destruction came immediately.
Anyway I hope the information on who the Samaritans are was entertaining and I leave the reader with the thought that the time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining.
2 Peter 3 Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV)
10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night
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