After King Solomon's death, Israel's history unfolded as a tale of idolatry and disobedience, leading to a significant division between the northern 10 tribes (Israel) and the southern tribes (Judah).
Both kingdoms faced consequences for their disobedience, with Israel falling to the Assyrians and Judah to the Babylonians.
The Babylonian captivity profoundly impacted the Jewish people, prompting leaders to establish traditions as safeguards against future disobedience.
By the time of Christ's first coming, these traditions overshadowed the original laws.
Jesus addressed this, noting, "Why do you transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition?" The zealous commitment to these traditions overshadowed God's law.
Unfortunately, they didn't heed the first half of a warning found in Deuteronomy not to add or subtract from God's word.
Ironically, contemporary Christianity, with similar zeal, has neglected the second half of this same warning by dismissing elements of God's laws in favor of their own traditions.