LECTURE 1: INTER-TESTAMENTAL PERIOD—THE SILENCE OF GOD BETWEEN MALACHI AND MATTHEW?

WHAT IS HISTORY? • History is linear: Isaiah 46:8-11. • History has a purpose: Isa 46:10. • Definition: God working out his plan for humanity. • The flow of history bares divine Sovereignty and Providence and reflects the Glory of

God. • All written history is interpretation. • No purely objective history. • Filtered thru author’s social situation, political commitment, and religious views. • When we look at ancient history, much of it reflects the writings of victors. • War stories written by victors and record their accounts, many times embellished. • Biblical history is different-we believe it is inspired and thus accurate. • The HS authenticated the written history in Bible, thus it is accurate. • The Bible gives us a supernatural interpretation of the meaning of history. • Not just facts, but interpreted facts with supernatural meaning. • History is doxological-JC is at the center and God’s glory is the goal. • Creation, salvation, glorification all serve the purpose of glorifying God. • When we read the Bible, we see theology intertwined with history. • Sometimes it’s hard to separate the two but due to biblical inerrancy and inspiration, we

can trust history and theology in the Bible. • There is a reason why so much of the bible is history.

o 1 Cor 10:6,11 o OT is given to us so we would study the characters and the story of Israel and learn

spiritual lessons from it o OT history is really a history of the working out of Deut 28:1-2, 15, 64 o The rest of the OT tells how God fulfilled this promise given thru Moses just before

Israel entered the Promise Land • As we read these stories and fit the OT & the four centuries after the OT into the history

of the empires that were sovereign over other nations, you will see that when Israel obeyed God, she was blessed but when she disobeyed God, as a nation she was judged.

• This is the lesson God wants us to learn from our reading of the OT, in fact this is repeated in Hebrews 4 where the author appeals to his Jewish audience to not turn away from Christ as the first generation of the Exiting Israelites turned away from God in the wilderness. His appeal to be loyal to Christ is based on a historical OT example, reminding them of what happens to people who reject JC.

• As you listen, don’t see the next few weeks as merely a history lesson, make these connections in your mind and reflect on where you are forfeiting God’s blessings because of your disobedience.

INTER-TESTAMENTAL HISTORY • What happened in the Bible between Mal 4:6 and Matt 1:1? • Have you ever noticed that when you read the OT there are no Pharisees, no Sadducees,

no Herod, no Romans, no Samaritans, nothing about the crucifixion, people do not attend synagogues but when you read the NT all these individuals, groups and institutions dominate the life of JC. Jesus deals with them almost on a daily basis.

• Where did these institutions and groups come from? • You think about the OT and it only has the Ark of the Covenant, tabernacle, and a temple,

but the NT has the ark, the temple, and synagogues? Well what are they for? Were they mini temples?

• The very last verses of the OT is Mal 4:5-6 • Written from Persia (modern: Iran) 400BC • 100yrs after the 2nd temple is completed 516BC • 100yrs after many Jews returned (536BC) from Babylonian Exile • And they are back at doing the same sins they were exiled over • Divorce is rampant • Sacrifices are corrupt, worst animals are offered to God • They have stopped tithing biblically • Sorcery, adultery, financial corruption, social injustices like oppression of the orphans,

foreigners, and poor is blatant • God is being openly mocked • People are actually saying it is vain to serve YHWH. What has God ever done for me? is

the attitude dominating Israel (Malachi 3:14) • You know how God responds? Mal 4:2-3, 5-6 • Thru Malachi, the last prophet before the NT era, God promises a Messiah and a

forerunner to the Messiah • But after God makes this promise, it’s as if he stopped interacting with his people, we

don’t have any inspired words from God until Matt 1:1, which occurs 4-6BC. God is silent from 417BC-6BC

• The period was dominated by constant warfare for the area known today as Israel • The Jews who lived in that area were slowly losing their OT Jewish identity because of a

new language and new social ideals • The OT Jews and the NT Jews were very different

OT SURVEY v Creation: Gen 1-11 =>Pre 2000BC

o Catalogs origin of world, evil, sin, ethnicities, languages

v Patriarchs: Gen 12-50 =2200-1800BC

o Origin of people of God o Purpose of people of God:

§ Gen 12:3c o Through Abraham-Isaac-Jacob-12 sons, God continued his promise

v Egyptian Slavery: 1800-1400BC o Famine forced the 12 sons to Egypt o They multiplied and fulfilled Gen 15:5

v Exodus & Entrance

• Books: Exod-Deut • 1445-1405BC • Wandering in the wilderness

o They followed moses for 16month before Num 13-14-spies report and grumbling

o 40 yrs=40 days of spying the land (Num 14:34) o So at 1.5yrs out of Egypt, they scatter and do not gather back up until 40th year

• Joshua 1405-1385BC (conquest/land division)

v Judges • 1385-1050BC • Israel is tribal • Ruled by 12 Judges • Constantly at war with Mesopotamia, Philistines, Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites,

Canaanites, Midianites • Tragic Period

o Cycle: Israel sins, judgment, repentance, deliverance o 17:6, 18:1, 19:1, 21:25

• Sets up the transition to monarchy

v United Kingdom: Saul, David, Solomon • 1050-930BC • 1,2 Samuel, 1 Kings 1-11 • Israel is a Superpower of ANE: politically, religiously, socially, economically,

militarily

Saul’s reign: (1050-1010) was dominated by wars with the Philistines, Ammonites, Amalekites, Moabites, Edomites

David’s reign: (1010-970) was not much different. The first (about 7yrs- 2 Sam 3) of his reign was a civil war with the house of Saul. Then he constantly fought the Philistines, Jebusites, Moabites, Syria, Edomites, Ammonites, king of Zobah.

• But the low point of his reign was when Joab (the commanded of the army and his nephew) was fighting with Ammon and David committed adultery with Bathsheba, ordering the murder of her husband Uriah.

• Shortly after that, his son Absalom lead a revolution against David. For 4 years Absalom was planning it, which shows David’s bad fathering skills since he had no idea what his son was doing and then experienced a family civil war. There was one more rebellion by the leader (Sheba 2 Sam 20) of the Benjamites but was quickly suppressed.

• When David came to the end of his life, it seemed that the sword never left his hand. He fought the enemy on each side of Jerusalem, he fought the enemy within and he was successful. He established the first Empire of Israel and the nations surrounding Jerusalem paid taxes to Israel.

• But one thing disturbed his heart, his biggest desire was to build a permanent building for the Ark of YHWH but God said he won’t have the privilege, instead his son will do it

Solomon’s Reign:

• When his son Solomon came to power, after much internal strife—fighting for the throne with his half brother Adonijah who was joined by Solomon’s cousin Joab (david’s top general, david’s nephew) and Abiathar the priest who followed David for decades after David rescued him from Saul’s murderous plan when he killed 85 priests at Nob, these three formed a triumvirate to develop a coup d'état. 2/3 were executed, abiathar was exiled since he was a priest from Eli’s lineage

• Subsequently, Solomon took up construction and military reinforcement of the empire his father David left him.

• Solomon instituted high taxes, mandatory military service, nearly enslaved people for his building projects, such as palaces (his-13yrs, 30,000sq ft, built after temple ), forts, and the temple (7yrs, 2500sq ft). His construction projects were international involving employees from various through the alliances he made through marriage.

• The reason he married 700 women was to have political ties with the nations of those women, he married princesses and relatives of kings and rulers. His marriages were driven by politics not lust. He improved the economy, fortified the empire, and build the temple David wanted to build.

• Solomon ruled the Empire of Israel during its Golden Age from 970-930BC. • 2 Chron 9:22-28 READ, 1 Kgs 11:3

o Horses, silver, gold, wives o Deut 17:14-17Read o Solomon did exactly what God told the king not to do

• He oppressed the people and pained God • Well when he died people wanted a break, so they appealed to his son Rehoboam to

ease up the burden of employment, taxation, and military service. Rehoboam wisely

asked his counselors on what to do but unwisely listened to his friends rather than the elders of Israel (1 Kgs 12:6-11,16,19).

• The end result, ten tribes rebelled against Rehoboam and formed Israel under the leadership of Jeroboam while two tribes remained loyal to Solomon’s son, Rehoboam. This happened in 930BC and from that point on, Judah and Israel never reunited.

v Divided Kingdom: Ø Israel (10 tribes) (North)

o Samaria is the capital o Jeroboam ->Hoshea 722BC, 19kings o Assyria, 40-50yrs after Jonah, came and destroyed Israel 1 Kgs 17:7-23 o 612BC Nineveh was destroyed by Babylon, according to Nahum

Ø Judah (2 tribes) (South) o Jerusalem is the capital o Rehoboam->Zedekiah 586BC, 20 kings o Jerusalem, temple burned, many exiled

Ø Israel worse than Judah and is destroyed first, but Judah exceeds Israel’s immorality and about 120 years later, God judges Judah for her sins

Ø 1 Kings 12-22, 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles 10-36 Ø Civil war between the two, competition Ø Zech 7:8-14 (cf 2 Kgs 17) has some great insight into why God judged Israel and

Judah. This passage was written c. 518BC, after return Ø The only reason Judeans return to Jerusalem is because of God’s covenant to

Patriarchs and David

v Captivity 605-538BC • 3 Exiles by Babylon 605, 597, 586

o 605 (exile, Daniel and friends)-young Nebuchadnezzar sacks Jerusalem but returns home when his father dies. He left Jehoakim as king. 2 kings 24

o 601-Jehoaikim rebels against Nebo. Nebo suppresses it o 597 (exile)-Jehoakim’s son (Jehoachin) takes the throne and Nebo. returns and

exiles him and placed Zedekiah on the throne. 10,000 captives. 2 kings 24:12-16

o 586 (final Exile)-Nebo returns due to Zedekiah’s rebellion. • between the 3 exiles there were a few rebellions which resulted in sieges and right

before the final exile, there was a 3rd siege which lasted 2.5 years, it got so bad that people were eating other people-2 kgs 25:1-12

• This is where 2 Kgs, 2 Chronicles end • Books: Daniel, Ezekiel

Because of the exile, Judah was purified from its idolatry. God wanted to wipe out all the idols from the land and the only way to do that was to remove the people from the land and then bring them back into an idol free land

This was the positive result from the exile

While in Babylon, many became introverted and focused on ancient Judaic religious practices, they began to remember God’s law, worship, sacrifices and although they couldn’t do much of this, they were longing to return to the land to resume these practices

But you remember that God promised 70yrs of exile (Jer 29:10) [from 605/6 to 536-1st return]

In that time, much happened and it begins with the famous story in Dan 2:31-35

• Daniel 2 takes us back to the period of the middle of the exile, to Babylonian empire • Daniel along with most Judeans is in exile • He is serving the most powerful monarch in the known world, Nebuchadnezzar • Because of his religious convictions, Daniel is treated differently but no one really knows

his full potential until this story in which he is exposed as having special powers • Summarize dream and search for Daniel • Pick up story Dan 2:31-33, 37-40

o Nebo’s dream about a statue is a prophecy about this period o Head-Gold=Babylon 625-539 o Breast/Arms-Silver=Medo-Persia 539-332 o Belly/Thighs-Bronze=Greece 332-142 o Legs-Iron=Rome 63-AD66

You see, 47 yrs after Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem and the temple, exactly what he saw in his dream happened.

Nebuchadnezzar’s dream functions as a window into the Inter-Testamental period. It begins with the collapse of his own kingdom which is described in Dan 5:1read

Year is 539BC, Jews still in exile, Nebo is dead (562) and his grandson-Belshazzar is co-reigning w his father Nabonidus

V2-5a He decides to have a party-drinking and eating of the silverware stolen from the Jerusalem temple, he saw a hand writing on the wall: prophesying to him that his kingdom is about to be divided and handed over to the Medes and the Persians. 22-25read

Belshazzar was so intoxicated that he did not take Daniel seriously who explained to him that his kingdom is about to be taken from him, instead he honors Daniel and continues partying.

Little did he know that the first part of Nebo’s dream was about to come true. That night Babylon was conquered by Cyrus from the Medo-Persian Empire (Iran), just as had been prophesied in the Bible (Isa 13,21) and the gold head was destroyed, 1st prophecy completed and the inauguration of the silver empire as a world power was about to begin

Before we go to the next transition in superpowers, that is from Silver (Persia) to Bronze (Greece), 207 years will pass. So what happened in those 2 centuries, go to Daniel 11:1-2(a)

• Well that era begins with a very pro-Israel decree by the ruler of the Persian Empire, Cyrus I

• 538BC- Ezra 1:1-4 (cf. 2 Chron 36:22) One year after taking power, Cyrus frees the exiles

• You see, unlike Babylon rulers, he believed it is easier to rule people when they are living in their own land, worshipping their own gods and paying him taxes but being autonomous

• So the Empire consisted of different regions (states),each paying taxes to the Capital of Empire

• Judea was going to be one of these states, so a year after Cyrus became the ruler of the Medo-Persian Empire, he decreed that Israelites could return to Israel.

• And people took him up on his offer, they were longing to return and the 70 years of waiting were coming to an end

v Returns to the Land

The book of Ezra & Nehemiah tell us that there were 4 migrations back to Jerusalem

1. Zerubbabel & Sheshbazzar 536 (Ez 1-6) a. 50,000 return

2. Ezra 458 (Ez 7-10) a. 1800 return

3. Nehemiah 445 (Neh 1-13) 4. Nehemiah 445

v Postexilic Period 538-400BC

Samaritans Upon returning, they found a former world empire (Israel) in shambles, nothing remains. A lot of foreigners begin to inhabit the area because when the Assyrians destroyed Samaria, they left the weak and poor and brought foreigners to repopulate that area to prevent a rebellion.

This is the time when the Samaritans emerge as an ethnic group. These are foreigners who bring their own religion, customs, and languages. They intermarry with Israelites and create their own religion-believed Pentateuch only, built a temple (2 Kgs 17:33), sacrificed, competed with Judeans, exist to this day (Phil Story, my time in Samaria), by JC time, hate each other (ex. Jn 4).

When Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem, they do the same that the Assyrians did—exiled most of the nobility and also forced foreigners to live there as a way to prevent future rebellions and stamp out nationalism.

When the actual Judeans return, they are starting all over. They need to rebuild their homes, the walls of the city, watchtowers, the temple, the roads, the businesses and they get to it.

The first order of business is the temple. You see when Cyrus I decreed that they could go home, he said they could also rebuild the temple. In fact, look at Ez 1:4read, isn’t this a type of 2nd exodus? When they left Egypt, the neighbors gave them silver, gold, clothes (Ex 12:35-6).

The same thing happened all over again. God is providing for his people and is keeping his covenant, that he will take them back to the land that he promised them.

The first group arrives in 536. Immediately they focus on rebuilding the temple (536-516).

Zerubbabel is the leader, but there is so much opposition from their neighbors that they halt construction for 16 years, until Haggai the Prophet (520BC) confronts-they built their own homes (Hag 1:4) but God’s house wasn’t done and he encourages them to continue & they finish in 4yrs.

• This is recorded in Ez 3-6, Haggai.

Fast fwd about 60 years and Nehemiah enters biblical history.

Nehemiah

Cupbearer to king Artaxerxes (465-425), most trusted person, tasted food for the king to prevent poisoning, he was a Jew who heard that although the temple and the houses were restored, Jerusalem was not protected, the walls were not finished and people were constantly terrorized by the neighbors.

After praying, Nehemiah appealed to the king to let him return to Jerusalem and help the people build the walls, he gets permission and returns in 445BC. For the next 12 years he is the governor of Jerusalem and puts things in order.

He faces some opposition (Neh 2:10,19, chs 4-6) while he rebuilds the walls, reorganizes the economy, and brings about religious reforms.

He then returns to Persia for 9 years to resume his role as the cupbearer.

He then asks to leave again for Jerusalem in 424 and he receives permission and begins his 2nd term as governor over Jerusalem for another 14 years.

In his 2 terms as governor, Nehemiah does a lot of good, he reminds people to obey God’s law, with the help of Jeshua and Ezra, both priests (Jeshua during his first term, Ezra during his 2nd term).

Neh 8 is when Nehemiah and Ezra minister together-one religiously, the other politically, calling the people back to God.

You see people had been living back in the land for over 100 years now and they began to revert to lifestyle of their ancestors, the pre-exile days.

They are living comfortably in their homes, they are intermarrying with foreign people, they are divorcing each other, they are oppressing the poor, the orphans, the widows, they are mocking God’s promise of justice, they are slowly becoming like the pre-exile generation, Isa 29:13 people draw near with their words And honor Me with their lip service, But they remove their hearts far from Me, And their reverence for Me consists of tradition.

There is much friction with the Samaritans at this time and some historians trace back the building of the Samaritan temple on Mt Gerizim (mt where Jews shouted blessings in deut 28) due to the tension. Nehemiah came back 2nd time and expelled the foreigners from the temple, which irritated them and most likely prompted them to build their own synagogue.

Jews who remained in exile, some were traditionally religious while in exile-Esther’s family and her uncle Mordecai (Ahasuerus/Xerxes I married Esther 486-465BC) who decided not to return to Israel rather enjoy their comfortably lives in Persia.

In fact they assimilated into the Persian society so well that they adapted Aramaic as the main language because it was the language of the empire.

The Jews retained Hebrew for worship matters. They became financially grounded-farmers, artisans, administrators, politicians, businessmen, culturally integrated but religiously distinct.

We know how influential the foreign cultures were, in Persia they were so influenced by the Persian culture that the ones who later returned to Jerusalem, brought Aramaic back to the land of Israel where it functioned as the main language during Jesus’ day and thru late antiquity.

While some became traditionally religious in exile, others did the same in Jerusalem.

It was time for another prophet, the people were getting out of line spiritually so God sends Malachi and with this detail we are back to where we started tonight, we are at the end of the OT which ends with a call of repentance, a reminder of the coming Messiah and a promise of a forerunner to the Messiah.

The year is 420BC and the Persian Empire (Iran) still rules the world of the ANE.

Over the next 90 years it suppressed rebellions by various states but at the same time, a new empire was entering world history, the Greeks states were tribal for centuries but now they have been conquered by Philip II of Macedon and a new world superpower was emerging.

The Greeks showed up in the East and began conquering parts of the Medo-Persian Empire. It is here that the inter-testamental period really begins. Dan 11:2b-3.

You see 4th king in v2b is Darius III (335-331) - 90years after Malachi, who wanted to continue the Persian Empire and so he became involved in a few battles with Alex the Great, son of Philip II of Macedon-aggressive military man.

However, after two battles, the Persian Empire was demolished in 331BC. (Battle of Gaugamela) and Greeks became supreme.

Summary: Israel’s interaction with their neighbors/world empires

Egypt-slavery 1880-1446BC

Canaanites-constant warfare, petty scuffles, Canaanites appeal to Egypt for help

Assyria-tribute=>rebellion=>exile of Israel 722BC

Babylon-tribute=>rebellion=>exile of Judah 605, 597, 586BC

Achaemenid dynasty (Medo-Persia) 539=>Vassal Kingdom

“permitted conquered peoples to maintain their cultures in their homelands.” i

“Persian empire was the first in the Near East with a great degree of tolerance and decentralization of government.”ii

Tribute was the norm

Kings

• Cyrus (538-529) won victory over Babylon, decree for Jews to return, Ex 4:1-4, 2 Chr 36:22-23

• Cambyses (529-522) enlarged empire, conquered Egypt • Darius (522-486) organizer and consolidator, creates largest empire in the Middle

East up to his time. • Xerxes I (485-465)=Ahasuerus of Esther, reigned from India to Ethiopia; invaded

Greece • Artaxerxes (464-424) king under whom Nehemiah served; struggled against Greeks,

Syrians, and Egyptians.

Last 5 kings let the empire disintegrate with wars with Greece

Interaction with Jews: many remained in Babylon, built lives, became successful (Est 10:3); few returned home

Trans: the question is how would Israel react when the transition of powers occurred from Persia to Greece?

GREEK EMPIRE Macedonians were viewed by Greeks as uncouth, unsophisticated, unethical, politically inept, and militarily weak.

“Philip and Alexander suffered from a cultural inferiority complex, and they were determined to prove the Greeks wrong at every point of their characterization of Macedonians.”iii

Alexander “identified himself with Achilles-great Greek hero, who was said to be an ancestor of his mother. On his father’s side, the lineage was traced back to Heracles (whom we call Hercules)”—he traced himself to noble lineage.iv

He was tutored by Aristotle and Leonidas-“Strong disciplinarian who placed great emphasis on physical training and endurance.”v

Alexander had a “remarkable memory, seldom forgot a slight, and certainly never forgave one.”vi

Story: “When Leonidas chastised the boy for throwing too much incense into the sacrificial fire and sarcastically suggested that he could be so extravagant only after he conquered the spice-bearing regions of the world, Alexander answered years later by conquering Gaza and sending his former teacher eighteen tons of incense and spices.”vii

Aristotle-taught Alex variety of subjects-“medicine, biology, geometry, astronomy, and rhetoric (particularly the art of arguing both sides of a question equally well).”viii

“For three years Alexander studied with Aristotle… [who taught him] especially the lesson about the inherent superiority of the Greek language and culture to all other forms of human expression.”ix

In 336BC, a bodyguard stabbed Philip II and Alexander became the king.

The Greek empire peaked with Alex the Great when he conquered the majority of the known world.

You see for Alexander, it was not only about conquering the world and continuing the work of his Father.

One word describes Jewish interaction with Greece=> Hellenization

Alex was driven by an ideal that was instilled in him by Aristotle who was taught by Plato. The ideal was that the world should be Hellenized.

Hellenization refers to Alexander’s plan to give the world one language, one culture, and one way of life.x

Greeks believed they surpassed other cultures so in order to improve the world, everyone should become Greek. There was an air of arrogance.

By Alex Great time, focus shifted from external ideals to education-law, mathematics, medicine, and astronomy. Along with this went increase in individualism.xi

Focus shifted from Greek noble birth to Greek culture and this became the center for Hellenization

The Greeks were humanists- Man is the sum total of all that is valuable in the universe. They valued man: physique, the mind, artistic abilities, literary abilities and academic aptitude of mankind. Starting in mid 400sBC, the focus of life became man.

Sophist Protagoras said “the measure of all things is man.”xii

Ideals of life were health, beauty, wealth.

“The Greeks had an uncommonly high regard for the male physique.”xiii

They loved athletics and annually would hold games between states

First Olympic is recorded in 776 BC in Olympia in Greece. 1 Cor 9:24-27

Immorality dominated the Greek culture. Even their gods resembled humans in their weaknesses and strengths—gods lusted, they competed, they were drunks.

One currency-silver coins, one language-koine Greek based on Attic, education, spread of Greek deities and cults, other nations began calling their gods with Greek names, philosophy was core in social experience-Sophists and Stoics and Socrates, polis became framework for existence not village or countryside, focus on individual-“The breaking of traditional patterns of inherited conduct in the enlarged world of the Hellenistic age threw people back upon themselves and gave opportunity for individual expression. Chosen things became more important than inherited things.”xiv

The foreign conquests increased the number of Greeks abroad, which accelerated the spread of Greek culturexv

Alexander’s father did a great job setting up the empire for Alexander and now he just had to spread the Greek ideals to the East.

Once the Greeks sensed the weakness of Medo-Persia when they were solicited by Cyrus II to overthrow Artaxerxes II (404-358), they saw the weakness of the empire

A number of battles ensue and finally Alex Great thru 3 battles: Battle of Granicus (334) in Asia Minor, Issus (333BC) and Arbela (331BC) the conquest of Medo-Persia was complete.xvi

Alexander was a military genius who expanded the existing Greek Empire as far as India in the East, South to Egypt, built Alexandria in 331BC which would later become a very Christian city. It had one of the world’s largest ancient libraries.

Josephus says (Ant, 11.326-339, not sure if true) says when Alex entered Judea, the HP greeted him and Alex told him that he saw him in a dream and he was told in the name of YHWH to conquer the Persian Empire. The HP peacefully surrendered and welcomed him

with the scroll open to the book of Daniel 7:6, 2:39-bronze kingdom represented by 4 winged creature and said to Alex: you are the fulfillment of this prophecy and welcomed him with open arms to Jerusalem.

Alexander’s policy was to annihilate those nations which resisted and give autonomy to those which surrendered peacefully. He just required taxation. The Jews surrendered for while under the Greek rule, they were left alone.

After he gained control of the territories which belonged to the Persian empire, Babylonian Empire and Assyrian Empire, he kept on going east. He would have gotten as far as China most likely if his army had not gotten restless after thousands of miles of campaigns and warfare. They rebelled and wanted to return home. He decided to turn around and go home. He arrived in his capital, Babylon where sever fever hit him hard

This is the moment Daniel prophesied about in Read Dan 11:4 you see Alex began calling himself “son of Zeus” and demanding that altars of worship be set up for him, portraying himself to be divine.xvii

He did exactly as he pleased conquering, pursuing his immoral lusts but in 323BC, at 32 years of age he died without having left an heir.

God took his life and although he established the largest empire known to man up to that time, once he died, it was torn to pieces.

Alex was a great warrior and general but not an administrator, so in his place, 20 rulers arose trying to keep the empire together.

The next twenty years (323-301BC) were marked by instability, until finally 4 generals emerged as the most powerful and had carved out portions of Alexander’s empire for themselves. They were known as the Diadochi=successors, epigonoi=heirs.

Dan 11:4, cf.8:8 read

• Ptolemy - Egypt • Seleucus - Syria • Lysimachus - Asia Minor (Turkey) • Cassander - Macedonia & Greece

Well shortly after these general had full control of their territories, the battle for Israel began.

SYNAGOGUES Focus on resisting Hellenism

It was at this time that the synagogues started popping up in the Diaspora.

Because the Jews in Exile were distant from the rebuilt temple, they had to improvise for methods of worship. So they decided to build these places of worship, initially intended for recital and teaching of Torah.xviii

They called them houses of prayer and synagogue. The first one we find is in 200sBC in Egypt. You know not all the Jews returned, some remained dispersed outside of Israel and these pious Jews maintained their religion thru the synagogues.

In Israel synagogues started popping up later because the temple was in Jerusalem and the synagogues were not intended to replace the temple, but supplement it. Even in exile people still talked, dreamed, and planned to restore the temple.

With time, these synagogues, became cultural centers. Kids went to school here. Used for courts. The social life of the community revolved around the synagogue. They became a core part of the community life to the extent that if someone was expelled from the synagogue, they lost all social relationships. (Jn 9)

The synagogue was the dispersed Jews’ attempt to hold onto religion. They had lost the language, the culture, they wanted to maintain the religion.

Key player in this period Ezra

• Ez 7:11read • Also governor, reformer, called 2nd Moses in Jewish tradition (J.Scott, 166) • He was one of the first scribes-student of OT, unpaid, secular jobs, guardians of law, JC

had lots to talk to them about

Although some Jewish people resisted Hellenism, the Hellenists would not cease from their efforts.

That’s exactly what happened when Alexander’s successors came to power. They forcibly wanted to Hellenize the Jews.

This impacted the scribes, some of whom buckled under pressure and began following Greek way of life. As a result, there was a split and a new group was formed, Hasidim=pious ones.

Zealous for the law, ultra conservative, orthodox, from these come the Pharisees, Sadducees and Essenes.

Most likely, JB was an Essene=group of ultra conservative Jews who were so paranoid about external cleansing laws that they moved out of Jerusalem into the caves. Qumran? Dead sea scrolls? That’s them. JB lived with them

PHARISEES

Appear first time in 150s BC, men who were resisting Hellenization and were assertive about keeping the Law. They were the scribes in the society and with time became progressively conservative.

Because of their regular interaction with the common people, their influence over the people was strong. Throughout the years of the civil wars in the Hasmonean Dynasty, the people usually sided with them. They were co-rulers and political competitors with Sadducees.

SADDUCEES

More liberal priestly class who made up the high class of the society. They were more pro Greek, liberal in their theology (no angels, no life after death, no sovereignty of God). They were very political, nationalistic, and Hellenistic.

Most of the tension between Pharisees and Sadducees in NT is due to their theological differences and the fact that Sadducees controlled the office of the HP for decades, while Pharisees were the leaders of the common people.

Sadducees and Pharisees arose from the Hasidim-pious ones who just wanted to defend the OT, keep the ceremonial laws.

You can see how the Pharisees became who they were. There was no temple so the focus of religion shifted from sacrifices and priestly function to studying the law, memorizing it, keeping it, knowing and zealously following all the ceremonial laws and with time people figured if you knew and kept the law, you were righteous.

And in order to help people keep the law, additional laws were developed (protection circle mindset). So when JC enters the scene, all the religious people care about is the details of the law, the heart is far away from the worship experience.

JC rightfully condemns them Mk 7:6-8

App: easy for us to do the same, follow the Bible, forgetting the purpose=> worship of JC.

Col 2:15-22, Christians picked up that mindset, and Paul teaches against it.

You guys need to understand that Israel is smaller than Vermont yet human history revolves around that land and the conquest of that land.

And while the Persians and the Greeks gave autonomous rule to the Jewish leaders, the next 130 years or so would be filled with bloodshed.

Ptolemy (Egypt) and Seleucus (Syria) would battle each other trying to expand their respective empires and Israel was in between the two nations so they were constantly dragged into these wars.

This is recorded in Dan 11:5-20

From 320-198BC, (Ptolemies) Egypt was victorious

• Many Jews settle in Alexandria, it became a literary center-top educational city in first century AD

• Jewish community was strong • Apollos (Acts 18:24-28) was from Alexandria • Not much is said about life in Israel during these 120 years • They were ruled by their own high priests

• Peace and tranquility characterized the period • Ptolemies were mild rulers, an • Made no attempt to interfere with the religious beliefs and practices of their subject

peoples.

In 198 all this came to an abrupt end

ANTIOCHUS III THE GREAT (223–187BC)

• vigorous and enterprising ruler of the Seleucid dynasty • victory in Parthia, Armenia, and Bactri and earned the title Great • began to extend his victory into Sinai and defeated the Egyptians at the Battle of

Panium (200 B.C.). (ABD, sv, Antiochus) and gained control of all of Palestine. • from Egyptian control and annexed it to Syria. • life for the Jews now became very different and extremely difficult. • continued to spread Hellenization to the Jews • saw themselves as champions of Greek culture (Hellenism) throughout their

dominions, and encouraged the use of the Greek language and the adoption of Greek customs.

• Hellenization grew up a party in the nation, including many prominent and wealthy Jews, who abandoned the ancient practices in favor of the new sophistication.

• priests at Jerusalem seem to have taken a leading part in the spread of Hellenism. • high priests were the officials with whom the governing authority naturally had to

deal, and they were thus the first to come under the influence of the new thought and customs

• jewish nation contained a conservative element that passionately clung to their ancestral traditions and this group would not yield to the Greek way of life too easily

• they protested the adoption by Jewish dandies of broad-brimmed hats, so stylish among the pagans because the god Hermes was pictured wearing one.

• They opposed the erection of a gymnasium in Jerusalem, with an adjoining race track. • The religious situation went from bad to worse when even the priests became regular

attendants at the races, which were opened with invocations to pagan deities. The sophisticated Jews who had adopted foreign customs were, in the eyes of the orthodox Hasideans, traitors to the time-honored ways of their ancestors.

Situation became worse when he died and his son took the office after his brother was assassinated

ANTIOCHUS IV EPIPHANIES (”manifest as a god”) 175-163 (Epimanes=utterly mad)

• His unpredictable character—at one time generous to a fault, at another fiercely tyrannical—is described by Polybius, who gave him the nickname Epimanes (“utterly mad”) (26.1a.1), and by Diodorus (29.32) and Livy (41.20). It was his instability, verging upon insanity, which was to lead to the excessively harsh treatment meted out to the Jews by this otherwise energetic and capable ruler.xix

• When he took over, he inherited a debt of taxes to Rome and ward off Egyptians who wanted to regain control of Israel.

• Antiochus’ ambition was to use the common culture of Hellenism to unify the diversity of the Seleucid empire.xx

• So when Jason, leader of the pro-Greek faction in Jerusalem, came to him and said I will help you Hellenize Jerusalem if you make me HP, and double the payment that the current HP is making and here is another large one time gift, Antiochus went for it.

• In 175BC Antiochus IV made Jason High Priest • 3 years later (172BC), Jason’s key assistant, Menealus, was carrying the tribute to

Antiochus IV and when he got there, he turned on Jason his HP and said to Antiochus IV, make me HP and I will double the annual payment.

• This was good business for Antiochus, so he agreed to sell the HP seat once again • 4 yrs later (168BC), Antiochus IV was fighting with Egypt and Rome came to help

Egypt. He was defeated. People in Jerusalem thought that Antiochus was killed, so Jason formed an army and marched on the guy who ousted him from office and took back the HP

• 168BC, Invading Egypt again, Antiochus was met outside Alexandria by a Roman delegation led by C. Popilius Laenas and given an ultimatum to desist at once from all hostilities against Egypt or her territories. With his stick Popilius drew a circle in the sand around Antiochus, who had asked for time for consultation, and insisted that he decide before stepping out of it (Polybius 29.27; a famous incident retold by many other sources). Antiochus had no choice but to withdraw his forces. According to Dan 11:30, it was outrage at this affront that decided Antiochus to enforce his Hellenization policy upon the Jews, even to the extent of completely exterminating them and their religion.xxi

• Antiochus IV was coming back to Syria from Egypt thru Israel. He was mad that Rome defeated him (168BC) and was mad that there was an uprising in Jerusalem.

• On his way back to Syria he goes thru Israel and decides to force loyalty to himself via elimination of Judaism. Dan 11:29-31

• Jason fled and Menaneaus was restored to office of HP • Next year would be the year that would change everything • In 167 B.C., Apollonius, his chief tax collector, was dispatched with 22,000 men and

attacked Jerusalem on the Sabbath. Most of the male population was killed and the women and children enslaved; those few who could left the city. The city walls were demolished and the old city of David refortified (the Akra) and furnished with a military garrison (1 Macc 1:29–36; 2 Macc 5:24–26). There followed the prohibition of all Jewish rites and the rededication of the high temple to Olympian Zeus. A monthly check was made, and anyone found with a copy of the Book of the Law or a child who had been circumcised was put to death (1 Macc 1:54–64; Ant 12.5.4–5 §§248–64). In December 167 B.C. (on 25 Kislev) the first pagan sacrifice was performed on the altar to Zeus which had been erected over the altar of burnt offering

in the temple: this is “the abomination of desolation” alluded to in Dan 11:31 and 12:11 (cf. 1 Macc 1:54; Mark 13:14 in a Gk version).

READING (1 Mac 1:29-38) 29 Two years later the king sent to the cities of Judah a chief collector of tribute, and he came to Jerusalem with a large force. 30 Deceitfully he spoke peaceable words to them, and they believed him; but he suddenly fell upon the city, dealt it a severe blow, and destroyed many people of Israel. 31 He plundered the city, burned it with fire, and tore down its houses and its surrounding walls. 32 They took captive the women and children, and seized the livestock. 33 Then they fortified the city of David with a great strong wall and strong towers, and it became their citadel. 34 They stationed there a sinful people, men who were renegades. These strengthened their position; 35 they stored up arms and food, and collecting the spoils of Jerusalem they stored them there, and became a great menace, 36for the citadel became an ambush against the sanctuary, an evil adversary of Israel at all times. 37On every side of the sanctuary they shed innocent blood; they even defiled the sanctuary. 38Because of them the residents of Jerusalem fled.

Well while some Jews are studying scriptures, and others are assisting the Greeks to Hellenize Israel, some are becoming upset that Jews are adopting the Greek culture.

Temple rituals were forbidden, scriptures were ordered to be destroyed, Sabbath, festival days, dietary laws and circumcision were all prohibited.

But the worst was yet to happen.

You see, Antiochus IV loved pork not because the Jews were kosher and he wanted to spite them, but he liked hot dogs. So he decided to offer a pork offering to his god Zeus and he sets up an altar in the temple where the holy of holies used to be & offers a pig on it.

This is very very unkosher. He then forces the Jewish people to do the same to signify loyalty to his religion and against Judaism. The worship of Zeus and Dionysus is full of immorality and The zealous Jewish people have had enough.

Dan 11:32-34

READING: “An aged scribe was forced to eat pork, but spit it out, refusing to wallow it. He was offered another chance, and some of his friends urged him to bring clean and proper meat and substitute it for the swine flesh and pretend to eat it. He worried about the effect such an act might have on younger people and refused. As a consequence, he was beaten to death. An aged woman and her seven grown sons were brought forward to be forced to eat pork. When they refused, each in turn had his tongue cut out, his hands cut off, and then was literally cooked have. Finally the mother herself was executed in a similar manner. The worse the persecution became, the more people joined the faithful. Many people went out into the caves in the hill country to observe Sabbath. Antiochus sent his soldiers after them. When the soldiers discovered that the Jews would not defend themselves on the sabbath, they chose that time to attack. In these attacks, they barricaded the people inside the caves and burned them alive. The resistance spread. So did the persecution. Each fed upon the other.”xxii

Killed and persecuted the Jews who did not conform, many Jews died at this time

• He said anyone practicing Jewish religion will die • Outlawed all religious practice • The things that Antiochus did are a foreshadow of what the beast will do in Revelation The common people had to make a choice—obey Antiochus IV or God. They chose to obey God.

“They decided that faith was more important than life. The ordinary common folk simply, quietly, and calmly decided to resist. Theirs was no organized revolt. Neither was it a militant resistance. They simply decided with cold logic to remain faithful to God, regardless of the cost. Few experiences in history stand out like his one for heroism, commitment, devotion, and calm but agonizing suffering. In Jerusalem, mothers continued to have their baby boys circumcised. Antiochus IV’s soldiers killed the infants, tied their bodies around their mother’s necks and forced the women to parade through the streets. Finally the women were executed. Yet, having witnessed this, other mothers then circumcised their sons.”xxiii

The zealous religious Jews have had enough, they rebelled!

Who was leading the resistance?

Man by name of Matthias Maccabees

• Old priest with 5 sons

Reading 1 Maccabees 1-2

1Mac.1 [1] After Alexander son of Philip, the Macedonian, who came from the land of Kittim, had defeated Darius, king of the Persians and the Medes, he succeeded him as king. (He had previously become king of Greece.) [2] He fought many battles, conquered strongholds, and put to death the kings of the earth. [3] He advanced to the ends of the earth, and plundered many nations. When the earth became quiet before him, he was exalted, and his heart was lifted up. [4] He gathered a very strong army and ruled over countries, nations, and princes, and they became tributary to him. [5] After this he fell sick and perceived that he was dying. [6] So he summoned his most honored officers, who had been brought up with him from youth, and divided his kingdom among them while he was still alive. [7] And after Alexander had reigned twelve years, he died. [8] Then his officers began to rule, each in his own place. [9] They all put on crowns after his death, and so did their sons after them for many years; and they caused many evils on the earth. [10] From them came forth a sinful root, Antiochus Epiphanes, son of Antiochus the king; he had been a hostage in Rome. He began to reign in the one hundred and thirty-seventh year of the kingdom of the Greeks. [11] In those days lawless men came forth from Israel, and misled many, saying, "Let us go and make a covenant with the Gentiles round about us, for since we separated

from them many evils have come upon us." [12] This proposal pleased them, [13] and some of the people eagerly went to the king. He authorized them to observe the ordinances of the Gentiles. [14] So they built a gymnasium in Jerusalem, according to Gentile custom, [15] and removed the marks of circumcision, and abandoned the holy covenant. They joined with the Gentiles and sold themselves to do evil. [16] When Antiochus saw that his kingdom was established, he determined to become king of the land of Egypt, that he might reign over both kingdoms.[17] So he invaded Egypt with a strong force, with chariots and elephants and cavalry and with a large fleet. [18] He engaged Ptolemy king of Egypt in battle, and Ptolemy turned and fled before him, and many were wounded and fell. [19] And they captured the fortified cities in the land of Egypt, and he plundered the land of Egypt. [20] After subduing Egypt, Antiochus returned in the one hundred and forty-third year. He went up against Israel and came to Jerusalem with a strong force. [21] He arrogantly entered the sanctuary and took the golden altar, the lampstand for the light, and all its utensils. [22] He took also the table for the bread of the Presence, the cups for drink offerings, the bowls, the golden censers, the curtain, the crowns, and the gold decoration on the front of the temple; he stripped it all off. [23] He took the silver and the gold, and the costly vessels; he took also the hidden treasures which he found. [24] Taking them all, he departed to his own land. He committed deeds of murder, and spoke with great arrogance. [25] Israel mourned deeply in every community, [26] rulers and elders groaned, maidens and young men became faint, the beauty of women faded. [27] Every bridegroom took up the lament; she who sat in the bridal chamber was mourning. [28] Even the land shook for its inhabitants, and all the house of Jacob was clothed with shame. [29] Two years later the king sent to the cities of Judah a chief collector of tribute, and he came to Jerusalem with a large force. [30] Deceitfully he spoke peaceable words to them, and they believed him; but he suddenly fell upon the city, dealt it a severe blow, and destroyed many people of Israel. [31] He plundered the city, burned it with fire, and tore down its houses and its surrounding walls. [32] And they took captive the women and children, and seized the cattle. [33] Then they fortified the city of David with a great strong wall and strong towers, and it became their citadel. [34] And they stationed there a sinful people, lawless men. These strengthened their position; [35] they stored up arms and food, and collecting the spoils of Jerusalem they stored them there, and became a great snare. [36] It became an ambush against the sanctuary, an evil adversary of Israel continually. [37] On every side of the sanctuary they shed innocent blood; they even defiled the sanctuary. [38] Because of them the residents of Jerusalem fled; she became a dwelling of strangers; she became strange to her offspring, and her children forsook her. [39] Her sanctuary became desolate as a desert; her feasts were turned into mourning, her sabbaths into a reproach, her honor into contempt. [40] Her dishonor now grew as great as her glory; her exaltation was turned into mourning. [41] Then the king wrote to his whole kingdom that all should be one people, [42] and that each should give up his customs. [43] All the Gentiles accepted the command of the king. Many even from Israel gladly adopted his religion; they sacrificed to idols and profaned the sabbath. [44] And the

king sent letters by messengers to Jerusalem and the cities of Judah; he directed them to follow customs strange to the land, [45] to forbid burnt offerings and sacrifices and drink offerings in the sanctuary, to profane sabbaths and feasts, [46] to defile the sanctuary and the priests, [47] to build altars and sacred precincts and shrines for idols, to sacrifice swine and unclean animals, [48] and to leave their sons uncircumcised. They were to make themselves abominable by everything unclean and profane, [49] so that they should forget the law and change all the ordinances. [50] "And whoever does not obey the command of the king shall die." [51] In such words he wrote to his whole kingdom. And he appointed inspectors over all the people and commanded the cities of Judah to offer sacrifice, city by city. [52] Many of the people, every one who forsook the law, joined them, and they did evil in the land; [53] they drove Israel into hiding in every place of refuge they had. [54] Now on the fifteenth day of Chislev, in the one hundred and forty-fifth year, they erected a desolating sacrilege upon the altar of burnt offering. They also built altars in the surrounding cities of Judah, [55] and burned incense at the doors of the houses and in the streets. [56] The books of the law which they found they tore to pieces and burned with fire. [57] Where the book of the covenant was found in the possession of any one, or if any one adhered to the law, the decree of the king condemned him to death. [58] They kept using iolence against Israel, against those found month after month in the cities. [59] And on the twenty-fifth day of the month they offered sacrifice on the altar which was upon the altar of burnt offering. [60] According to the decree, they put to death the women who had their children circumcised, [61] and their families and those who circumcised them; and they hung the infants from their mothers' necks. [62] But many in Israel stood firm and were resolved in their hearts not to eat unclean food. [63] They chose to die rather than to be defiled by food or to profane the holy covenant; and they did die. [64] And very great wrath came upon Israel. 1Mac.2 [1] In those days Mattathias the son of John, son of Simeon, a priest of the sons of Joarib, moved from Jerusalem and settled in Modein. [2] He had five sons, John surnamed Gaddi, [3] Simon called Thassi, [4] Judas called Maccabeus, [5] Eleazar called Avaran, and Jonathan called Apphus. [6] He saw the blasphemies being committed in Judah and Jerusalem, [7] and said, "Alas! Why was I born to see this, the ruin of my people, the ruin of the holy city, and to dwell there when it was given over to the enemy, the sanctuary given over to aliens? [8] Her temple has become like a man without honor; [9] her glorious vessels have been carried into captivity. Her babes have been killed in her streets, her youths by the sword of the foe. [10] What nation has not inherited her palaces and has not seized her spoils? [11] All her adornment has been taken away; no longer free, she has become a slave. [12] And behold, our holy place, our beauty, and our glory have been laid waste; the Gentiles have profaned it. [13] Why should we live any longer?" [14] And Mattathias and his sons rent their clothes, put on sackcloth, and mourned greatly. [15] Then the king's officers who were enforcing the apostasy came to the city of Modein to make them offer sacrifice. [16] Many from Israel came to them; and Mattathias and his sons were assembled. [17] Then the king's officers spoke to Mattathias as follows: "You are a leader,

honored and great in this city, and supported by sons and brothers. [18] Now be the first to come and do what the king commands, as all the Gentiles and the men of Judah and those that are left in Jerusalem have done. Then you and your sons will be numbered among the friends of the king, and you and your sons will be honored with silver and gold and many gifts." [19] But Mattathias answered and said in a loud voice: "Even if all the nations that live under the rule of the king obey him, and have chosen to do his commandments, departing each one from the religion of his fathers, [20] yet I and my sons and my brothers will live by the covenant of our fathers. [21] Far be it from us to desert the law and the ordinances. [22] We will not obey the king's words by turning aside from our religion to the right hand or to the left." [23] When he had finished speaking these words, a Jew came forward in the sight of all to offer sacrifice upon the altar in Modein, according to the king's command. [24] When Mattathias saw it, be burned with zeal and his heart was stirred. He gave vent to righteous anger; he ran and killed him upon the altar. [25] At the same time he killed the king's officer who was forcing them to sacrifice, and he tore down the altar. [26] Thus he burned with zeal for the law, as Phinehas did against Zimri the son of Salu. [27] Then Mattathias cried out in the city with a loud voice, saying: "Let every one who is zealous for the law and supports the covenant come out with me!" [28] And he and his sons fled to the hills and left all that they had in the city. [29] Then many who were seeking righteousness and justice went down to the wilderness to dwell there, [30] they, their sons, their wives, and their cattle, because evils pressed heavily upon them. [31] And it was reported to the king's officers, and to the troops in Jerusalem the city of David, that men who had rejected the king's command had gone down to the hiding places in the wilderness. [32] Many pursued them, and overtook them; they encamped opposite them and prepared for battle against them on the sabbath day. [33] And they said to them, "Enough of this! Come out and do what the king commands, and you will live." [34] But they said, "We will not come out, nor will we do what the king commands and so profane the sabbath day." [35] Then the enemy hastened to attack them. [36] But they did not answer them or hurl a stone at them or block up their hiding places, [37] for they said, "Let us all die in our innocence; heaven and earth testify for us that you are killing us unjustly." [38] So they attacked them on the sabbath, and they died, with their wives and children and cattle, to the number of a thousand persons. [39] When Mattathias and his friends learned of it, they mourned for them deeply. [40] And each said to his neighbor: "If we all do as our brethren have done and refuse to fight with the Gentiles for our lives and for our ordinances, they will quickly destroy us from the earth." [41] So they made this decision that day: "Let us fight against every man who comes to attack us on the sabbath day; let us not all die as our brethren died in their hiding places." [42] Then there united with them a company of Hasideans, mighty warriors of Israel, every one who offered himself willingly for the law. [43] And all who became fugitives to escape their troubles joined them and reinforced them. [44] They organized an army, and struck down sinners in their anger and lawless men in their wrath; the survivors fled to the Gentiles for safety. [45] And Mattathias and his friends went about and tore down the altars; [46] they forcibly circumcised all the uncircumcised boys that they found within the

borders of Israel. [47] They hunted down the arrogant men, and the work prospered in their hands. [48] They rescued the law out of the hands of the Gentiles and kings, and they never let the sinner gain the upper hand.

Summary:

• The active rebellion started in a small village, Modein where a small group of them rebel by killing a Jew who was going to offer a sacrifice in the temple to Zeus. Mattathias Maccabees murders him and with his 5 sons flees to the dessert and begins guerilla warfare tactics

• Mattathias ranged up and down Judea, hiding by day, attacking by night, puling down pagan altars, forcibly circumcising children, and, as far as he was able, guaranteeing safety in observance of Mosaic Law.xxiv

• Man withstood the rigors of this rough life and then he died • Until they finally defeat one of Antiochus IV generals while Antiochus is fighting

another battle.

After Mattathias dies, his son Judas takes lead. By late 165 or 164 B.C.E. Judas, the leader of the rebels, and his troops were able to gain possession of the temple mount. There they cleaned and repaired the temple and built a new altar so that the traditional forms of worship could be reinstituted

READING (1 Mac 4:36-61): 36 Then Judas and his brothers said, “See, our enemies are crushed; let us go up to cleanse the sanctuary and dedicate it.” 37 So all the army assembled and went up to Mount Zion. 38 There they saw the sanctuary desolate, the altar profaned, and the gates burned. In the courts they saw bushes sprung up as in a thicket, or as on one of the mountains. They saw also the chambers of the priests in ruins. 39 Then they tore their clothes and mourned with great lamentation; they sprinkled themselves with ashes 40 and fell face down on the ground. And when the signal was given with the trumpets, they cried out to Heaven. 41 Then Judas detailed men to fight against those in the citadel until he had cleansed the sanctuary. 42 He chose blameless priests devoted to the law, 43 and they cleansed the sanctuary and removed the defiled stones to an unclean place. 44 They deliberated what to do about the altar of burnt offering, which had been profaned. 45 And they thought it best to tear it down, so that it would not be a lasting shame to them that the Gentiles had defiled it. So they tore down the altar, 46 and stored the stones in a convenient place on the temple hill until a prophet should come to tell what to do with them. 47 Then they took unhewn stones, as the law directs, and built a new altar like the former one. 48 They also rebuilt the sanctuary and the interior of the temple, and consecrated the courts. 49 They made new holy vessels, and brought the lampstand, the altar of incense, and the table into the temple. 50 Then they offered incense on the altar and lit the lamps on the lampstand, and these gave light in the temple. 51 They placed the bread on the table and hung up the curtains. Thus they finished all the work they had undertaken. 52 Early in the morning on the twenty-fifth day of the ninth month, which is the month of Chislev, in the one hundred forty-eighth year, 53 they rose and offered sacrifice, as the law directs, on the new altar of burnt offering that they had built. 54 At the very season and on the very day that the Gentiles had profaned it, it was dedicated with songs and harps and lutes and cymbals. 55 All the people fell on their faces and worshiped and blessed Heaven, who had prospered them. 56 So they celebrated the

dedication of the altar for eight days, and joyfully offered burnt offerings; they offered a sacrifice of well-being and a thanksgiving offering. 57 They decorated the front of the temple with golden crowns and small shields; they restored the gates and the chambers for the priests, and fitted them with doors. 58 There was very great joy among the people, and the disgrace brought by the Gentiles was removed. 59 Then Judas and his brothers and all the assembly of Israel determined that every year at that season the days of dedication of the altar should be observed with joy and gladness for eight days, beginning with the twenty-fifth day of the month of Chislev.

This event is called Hanukah.

• ḥănukkāh is usually translated “dedication, consecration,” • Gk words which ancient translators chose for rendering it suggest the idea of “renewal,

restoration” • Jewish holiday which celebrates the reconsecration of the Jerusalem temple and its altar

to the traditional service of the Lord in 165 or 164 B.C.E. (ABD) • They restored worship of YHWH & rededicated the temple. • It begins on the 25th day of the month Kislev (the 9th month in the lunisolar calendar; it

coincides with parts of November and December) and lasts for 8 days • John 10:22- At that time the festival of the Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was

winter

HASMONEAN RULE 142-63BC

• Upper classes were Hellenized not all people • Once they won independence in 142BC, they began to conquer surrounding peoples,

expanding North • After all the battles subsided, Hasmonean dynasty was established • Hasmonean (Matthias was from family of Hashmon) • an era from 142-63BC when Jews ruled themselves with minimal foreign interference. • This was the only the only period of political independence that the Jews knew from 586

B.C. until the mid-twentieth century. • Simon, was the last son of the original revolutionary, Mattathias. It was Simon who had

consolidated independence, the kingship, and the high priesthood into one central office. After his rule, the hereditary nature of the dynasty was established

• When Simon became priest-king, Seleucid king freed him from tax tribute because Simon’s military was powerful and he needed his aid to ward off some internal competitors to the Seleucid throne

• 1 Mac 13:41 In the one hundred seventieth year the yoke of the Gentiles was removed from Israel

• Simon’s son, John Hyrcanus, proceeded through a series of battles to secure the final independence of the nation.

• As time passed, two parties developed in Israel—Pharisees and Sadducees. • Supporters of Hasmoneans became the Sadducees

• Their opposition were the more religiously conservative who initially supported Judas Maccabees for religious freedom but didn’t care for political freedom.

• The Sadducees began to persecute the Pharisees and other ultra religious groups • John Hyrcanus was on the Sadducees side and began expansion into Northern Israel-

Samaria. • He took over the Samaritans to the north, capturing their capital at Shechem and

destroying the rival temple on Mount Gerazim. This put the final brick in the wall of separation and hatred between Israel’s two people.

• Hyrcanus utterly leveled Shechem • To the south, he overcame longtime enemies in Idumea (Edom), forcing them to become

Jews and be circumcised. However, the orthodox Jews of Jerusalem never considered them to be full Jews.

• He practically expanded the empire to the size of David’s Empire • Hyrcanus maintained good relationships with Rome and instituted such with Egypt. • He had many mercenaries fighting for him and had to pay them, to do so he began raiding

the tombs of former Jewish Kings, some say even the tomb of David • This created more tensions with the orthodox at home

John Hyrcanus was on the Sadducees side and began expansion into Northern Israel-Samaria.

• He took over the Samaritans to the north, capturing their capital at Shechem and destroying the rival temple on Mount Gerazim. This put the final brick in the wall of separation and hatred between Israel’s two people.

• Hyrcanus utterly leveled Shechem • To the south, he overcame longtime enemies in Idumea (Edom), forcing them to become

Jews and be circumcised. However, the orthodox Jews of Jerusalem never considered them to be full Jews.

• He practically expanded the empire to the size of David’s Empire • Hyrcanus maintained good relationships with Rome and instituted such with Egypt. • He had many mercenaries fighting for him and had to pay them, to do so he began raiding

the tombs of former Jewish Kings, some say even the tomb of David • This created more tensions with the orthodox at home • His son, Aristobulus I reigned for only one year (104-103) • He was first to be called “King” which was previously denied to his Father, John, because

they qualified to be priests according to Aaron’s lineage but not kings • When he died, his widow Salome Alexandra • She freed 2 of her late husbands brothers who were imprisoned by him to prevent

rebellion. She married one of them-Alexander Janneus • The marriage was legal according to Levitical law but not kosher with law for priests to

marry widows

• He was both king and priest over an area that slightly larger than the size of Israel and Judah during the Solomonic Kingdom.

• He was an ally of Egypt and Rome did not have problems with him as king • Internal policy was difficult however • AD95, At a Feast of tabernacles, Alexander Jannaeus deliberately poured holy water on

the ground instead of on the altar. The people in the temple threw lemons at him. He in turn had some 6000 Jews executed.

• This started a civil war which lasted for about 7 yrs and 50,000 Jews were killed • The Jewish insurgents called Syria for help but when he came and was successful they

turned on him fearing foreign rule. • They began helping Jannaues whom they previously opposed • They quickly defeated Syria and then Jannaeus took the 800 opposition leaders, arrested

them, brought them in front of the palace, gathered their families and slaughtered them in front of their yes. he then crucified the 800 rebels

• This was the king and priest in Jerusalem in mid 80s BC • He continued to expand Israel and brought Galilee under his rule • When he died of poor health in 76BC, he told his wife, Salome to seek peace with the

Pharisees

Alexandra Salome (76 – 67 B.C.) • Janneus’ wife, Alexandra put her eldest son, Hyrcanus II, as high priest and

reconciled with the Pharisees. • Pharisees were given political voice and became part of the Sanhedrin. • Vast majority of the Sanhedrin was chief priests and elders, or Sadducees, and this

marked the beginning of the rivalry between Pharisee and Sadducee. • Sadducees were rich and liberal professional clergy, while the Pharisees were blue-

collar and conservative lay leaders. • Wise woman, placed her husband on the throne who expanded the kingdom • Then placed her son on the throne • Made peace with Pharisees

Aristobulus II (67 – 63 B.C.)

• After Alexandra’s death, Aristobulus II, Hyrcanus II’s younger brother, challenged him for the throne.

• Oldest brother was supported by Pharisees, he was HP • Younger was supported by Sadducees and army • The two forces met in Jericho and the younger defeated the older-actual heir • Hyrcanus II, the rightful heir, fled to Petra in Moab after agreeing to turn the kingship

and priesthood to his younger brother o Hyracanus II sought the help of Antipater II, the father of Herod the Great. o Antipater II sent troops with Hyrcanus II to besiege Jerusalem to get his

rightful place on the throne. • Due to previous treaties, both sides appealed to Rome. • Pompey, Roman general, received call for help while approaching Damascus, Syria

just north of Israel • He made the two sides declare peace and told Aretas to go home

• He did but Aristobulus followed him and attacked • Rome got angry over the breach of peace • Sieged Jerusalem for 3 months and then took Artisobulos II was taken to Rome as

prisoner along with many Jews • Pompey made Judah formally subject to Rome with heavy taxation. • Although Hyrcanus II was reinstated as high priest, Antipater II succeeded in

obtaining control over Judea/Palestine and ended the Hasmonean Dynasty. • An Idumeaite, who practiced Judaism, ruled over the Jews. • The Jews despised their loss of freedom to their cousins, descendant from Esau. • c. 5. Antipater II, therefore gained control of Edom, Judea, and Galilee. Politically

wise, he schmoozed Rome (i.e., making gifts, compliments, and naming cities) and set up his son, Herod the Great to rule.

• As you can tell, Hasmonean Dynasty ended in a horrific manner • As the years passed, their rule became corrupt, competitive and immoral. • Family feuds, murders, assassinations began to happen. The people that supported

them initially in the revolt against the Greeks stopped their support, namely the Pharisees.

• In 63BC, the Hasmonean Dynasty ended. They had established an empire larger than Solomon’s but due to greed, power, and family feuds, Judea once again became a territory of a foreign nation- the greatest empire the world had known. RE.

HERODIAN DYNASTY

• The man who got help for one son in order to defeat another was Antipater, he was the father of Herod the Great who would one day try to kill baby Jesus and his son-Herod Agrippa would kill JB and hold a trial for Jesus. His grandson would kill apostle James (Acts 12) and imprison Peter hoping to kill him as well but the angel released him. Later, his son (so great grandson of Herod Great) would try Paul for theological disputes with the Jews (Acts 25-26).

• By the time Rome entered Israel, synagogues, Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essenes were already established as critical ingredients of the Jewish society

• When Jesus arrived around 4BC, he was not concerned with siding politically with any party, nor was he concerned with the Roman presence in Israel, he was there like an OT prophet calling the people who were rooted in traditionalistic worship of God to examine their hearts and realize that their worship is merely verbal not spiritual

• 40 years after Jesus ascended to heaven, the most precious, the most vivid symbol of Judaism was leveled to the ground.

• Jewish War 66-73 • Due to a Jewish rebellion in AD66, the Romans sent in more troops to suppress it but

it only resulted in a 6 year war in which about 1million Jews died and the temple was destroyed.

• There would be one more attempt at overthrowing the Roman government in 132 by Rabbi Simon Bar Kosiba who was hailed as Messiah but in due time was killed and

the rebellion was suppressed. The Roman emperor Hadrian determined to expel all Jews from Jerusalem once and for all at the punishment of death.

• Judea would now become completely non Jewish state and would not arise until 1948 when the modern state of Israel was established by survivors of the Holocaust.

• App: as we look at the biblical history in the OT, inter-testamental and NT, God is not absent, he is not sleeping and he is not aloof.

• God was working with his people in the Exodus, in the Exile, and is working with them now.

• He preserved his scriptures through the exile and Greek society translation of it into Greek. God kept a remnant for himself of people who were devoted to the OT law, who were looking toward the Messiah, who were obedient to Moses’ commands and were anticipating the Messiah.

• Zechariah, Anna and Simeon were like this in Lk 2, looking for the consolation of Israel.

• And God was preparing the world for the coming Messiah and the Gospel he would preach by moving the monarchs to establish empires that would united the known world in culture, transportation, and language.

• FYI: there has never been a time that was more conducive for the spread of the Gospel than the two centuries after JC because of the Pax Romana (develop) and the Greek language.

• But this was a result of Alexander’s imperialism and instability in Israel which lead to the Spread of the RE into Israel thereby annexing it into the RE, providing roads, hotels, restaurants, mail carriers, and religious freedom to the apostles to spread the Gospel one Roman city at a time.

Lessons:

1. God’s providence and rule over the world 2. Obedience=blessing, disobedience=judgment • Heb 12:10 he disciplines us so we will share his holiness • Guys remember Paul’s exhortation in 1 Cor 10:6, this is given to us so that we would

look at the choices people made in the past and notice that they lead to judgment and not follow their example

• Instead, reflect on your relationship with God. I know I talked a lot about wars, politics, empires, and Greek humanistic ideologies, but guess what, all of these issues surround us.

• Our society is immoral, our minds are humanistic, our desires are selfish and ambitious.

• We need to subject them to the control of the HS and not follow in the sinful examples of previous men rather focus and develop our relationship with our savior. The OT ends with an expectation of the Messiah. The NT says, he is here.

• Most of you have believed in him, now lets live in a way that honors and expands his kingdom.

LECTURES 2-3: POLITICAL LIFE—ROME

QUOTE: “Historical setting for the New Testament and early Christianity may be described as a series of concentric circles. The Roman world provided the outer circle — the governmental, legal, and economic context. The Greek world provided the cultural, educational, and philosophical context. The Jewish world was the matrix of early Christianity, providing the immediate religious context.”xxv

This is the reason study of early Christianity is so complex. It really is a convergence of 3 societies, each of which contributes unique features to our understanding of the NT

Apart from a depth of knowledge of Greek-Roman-Jewish way of life, we may not have the full picture of what was happening in the NT and why certain things were written and how early Christians lived in their communities and responded to their governments

ORIGINS OF ROME

Everyone has heard of Rome—gladiator, Spartacus, but the question is…

How did Rome become so great?

• Story of Rome begins just before 753BC • According to Plutarch, 2 brothers in Alba Longa (main city in Latinum, Italy) vied for

power until younger (Amulius) dethroned the older (Numitor). The victor feared revenge from his niece, so he made her a Vestal priestess. In time she became pregnant (god Mars raped her) but her life was spared by her cousin’s pleas to her father the king. The king then fearing revenge from her twin boys, Remus and Romulus, sent them to be thrown into the river where they were left to survive in a cradle. They floated down the Tiber River, protected by god Tiberinus, until the cradle rested and a she wolf found it and nursed the two brothers. Until a shepherd, Faustulus, adopted them. This was in the area of modern day Rome, Palatine hill.

• The boys grew up in banditry and attracted similar individuals to their gang. Because of their royal heritage, they acted as leaders.

• Due to their gang activities, they were in conflict with the regional king who was their uncle who wanted them killed years before. Remus was kidnapped and Romulus led a charge to free him. He was successful, their uncle was killed and their grandfather who was previously displaced from the throne was reinstated.

• The two brothers left back to their area and decided to start a city. They argued over the area-Palatine hill (Romulus) or Aventine Hill (Remus). The gods were invoked thru observations of vultures or eagles. Remus saw six; Romulus saw twelve, and gods favored Romulus. Remus was angry and obstructed the construction efforts, which angered his brother Romulus and they fought and Remus was killed.

• The city construction continued and Rome was founded on April 21, 753BC

• Over the next 200 years, 7 kings ruled Rome until finally, due to the last king’s tyranny, the people overthrew him and formed a republic in 509BC SPQR

• The next 300 years were characterized by expansion into the rest of Italy and south into Africa, which was called Carthage.

• In the 2nd century, Rome fought with Greece and finally conquered the Greeks in 146BC when Corinth was burned to the ground, killed all men, sold the women into slavery1

• This victory brought Hellenization into the heart of the RE • As we talked last week about the Seleucid and Ptolemaic kingdoms-Egypt and Syria, who

were always fighting over Israel, if you remember, Egypt called Rome for help in 180s and Rome came for help and began to establish their foothold in Egypt. The grain was valuable to the food of the RE and thus the wars were worth it

• Well this brought Romans into contact with Israel since Egypt and Syria were changing hands in controlling Israel and ultimately Rome would be solicited for help

• So by mid 2nd century, Rome had control of the 3 of 4 regions of Alexander’s Empire and would gain the last thru puppet kings very soon

TRANSITION FROM REPUBLIC TO EMPIRE

• While it was successful militarily, it hit a bump in domestic policy in the last century BC • Various military generals enjoyed military success and thus gained a following from the

army. This threatened the senate which use to have the loyalty of the military • Now the general paid the soldiers and during famines and various upheavals, they became

popular. • This practice peaked with Julius Caesar in 49BC who marched on Rome by crossing the

Rubicon river with the famous statement, “alea iacta est”=the die has been cast…and thereby declaring war on Rome, law stated that the army was not allowed to enter Rome

• Caesar was opposed but he was victorious • He declared himself perpetual dictator which evoked his assassination on March 15,

44BC • His adopted nephew, Octavian stepped up in power, formed a coalition with 2 other

powerful men (Marcus Aemilius Lepidus-, and Mark Antony,) and through a few wars, subjected the fourth and final kingdom that remained from Alex the Great, Egypt (Ptolemies) in 30BC and thereby ended all threats to Rome and his reign

• His adopted uncle, J. Caesar set everything in place for Rome to transform into an empire and Octavian became the first emperor. This was 27BC

• 63BC Syria became Roman province • 63BC Israel became a Roman province • 30BC Egypt became a Roman Province • Most of the previously conquered world under Greeks now became part of RE • Rome accomplished politically what Alex the Great dreamed of—a unified world.

1 Ancient Rome, 53, pub: Duncan&Hill.

• As Roman military and political administration moved east, Greek culture flowed west and came to prevail even in Rome.

• Horace: “Captured Greece took captive her savage conqueror and brought civilization to rustic Latium” {Ep. 2.1.156).

• Educated people from 2nd cent BC spoke Greek and Latin. • Romans were less cultured then Greeks and so they Hellenized • One of the main contributions Rome brings to the NT world is stability • Peace, economic prosperity, improved communications, stable government, and a sense

of renewal characterize this period. • There was a strong sense of a new beginning, an old era of upheaval and warfare ended

and a new era of peace and prosperity began. • Lk 2:1 says that Jesus was born under Augustus’s reign. Implying a sense of a different

time, NEW ERA • The title for this period, era is Pax Romana-peace throughout the RE politically,

commercially, militarily, and for travel • Rome brought security and roads to the Near East. Did not bring a new culture.

4 REASONS FOR ROME’S SUCCESS:

1. Administrative Genius • Adaptation & Amalgamation • Whenever we talk about the Social World of the NT, we call it Greco-Roman • Greco-art, literature, philosophy, education, religion • Roman-politics, military, religion • “Rome was a borrower — culturally and religiously”xxvi • Usually (esp. w Greece), victors imposed their culture on the conquered while with

Rome & Greece, the reverse happened. • Romans didn’t really invent as much as improve • They were fortunate to inherit a unified Hellenized culture from the Greeks

o Language o Social practices-athletics, education, literature, art, philosophy o Religious convictions –piety toward old gods

• They improved eastern military strategies • They improved industrial efforts • They improved death penalty to make it torturous • They incorporated other kingdoms and let them rule independently as long as they paid

taxes, provided soldiers • Greece live by the maxim that man was the measure of all thingsxxvii • Eastern nations had the king as the measure of all things • Israel had God • Rome had law as the measure of all things • They administrated their own land and conquered lands by that law

2. Citizenship • Unlike other nations who limited citizenship to their own, Rome extended citizenship to

the conquered • Freed slaves became citizens and their kids • So they allowed diversity like the Persians did but they also created unity thru the

citizenship right • In Latin, “civis Romanus sum”=I am a roman citizen • Could be gained thru military service • Rights:

o Vote o Public office o Own property/make contracts o Right to roman marriage laws, your kids would have roman citizenship, you

would have pater familias=ultimate fatherly power o Immunity from certain taxes and local laws o Right to trial-sue and be sued o Right to appeal

i. Can you think of a time in Paul’s life when he appealed at a trial? ii. Acts 25:10-11 appeal to emperor

o No torture, whipping, death penalty, unless guilty of treason. For treason, could be tried at Rome

i. Can you think of a NT passage where this law wasn’t followed? 1. Acts 16 2. Acts 22:25

o No crucifixion even if guilty of treason • Acts 23:23, “two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen” • Serious protection due to his citizenship • Name recorded on a citizenship roll in Rome • If a foreign soldier, a diploma was given for proof • Every 5 yrs a census was taken to confirm citizens • Roman citizen living abroad was recorded in the municipal tax tables • The grant of citizenship was signed by 7 witness, if you lost it, you had to find the 7

witnesses. Not an easy task. • In short, most people didn’t have the proof and that’s probably why Paul didn’t cite it that

frequently. • Roman citizen could travel anywhere and be protected by Roman Lawxxviii • “He owed allegiance to Rome, and Rome would protect him.”xxix • Whether dual citizenship or dual nationality was possible in New Testament,

unfortunately, the answer to this question is not clear.xxx “More recent academic discussion has suggested that the Romans were of wholly consistent in their attitude toward citizenship. It does appear that by the time of Augustus the Romans were moving to a position where citizens who had been granted Roman citizenship might retain some duties under the law of their previous citizenship.”xxxi

3. Religious Piety • They rooted their social policies in worship of ancient deities • That created a sense of tradition and piety to the origins of the RE • They understood that people were superstitious and since they thoughts Mars, Tiberinus,

played a role in the formation of Rome, they would worship gods • They adopted foreign gods as well and gave them latin names • Truly a pantheon of Gods • Pantheon

o Built 126AD o Temple to all the gods of RE o Best preserved roman building & Dome - world’s largest unreinforced concrete

dome o Mars, Minerva, venus, Jupiter, bacchus, Diana, vesta, some of main Roman gods

4. Military Genius • Most famous military term in Rome was “legion”

o Legion consisted of 4-6k soldiers o When the first emperor, Augustus Octavian, returned to Rome from wars and to

rule, he had 70 legions to command=280-420k soldiers o Due to financial reason and to prevent divided loyalties of the army, he reduced it

to 28=150,000 soldiers o He discharged the others and paid them thru land in colonies all over the empire o He set up a retirement fund for retired military personnel o Rome itself had only 3 cohorts (210-300men) in the city for a population of 1M

and 6 were stationed outside the city o Augustus shifted soldiers’ loyalty from the senate to the emperor and thus had

control of the military which meant control over the empire • The military divides into smaller units

o Centurion=70-100 men i. Acts 22:26

ii. Acts 10 o Cohort =6 centuries (420-600 men) o Praetorian Guard

i. Emperor had the personal secret service, called Praetorian Guard (Latin: Praetoriani) was a force

ii. Praetorian derived from the tent of the commanding general or praetor of a Roman army in the field—the praetorium of bodyguards used by Roman Emperors.

iii. Started as sec guards for generals since 275BC iv. Dissolved in 4th cent v. assassinated emperors, put emperoros on throne, turned on people, became

involved in bloody political affairs

vi. NT ref to praetorian guard is mentioned? Phil 1:13 • Its important to know that Training and discipline is what made Roman armies so often

victorious, not superiority in arms or numbers. o a new recruit swore sacramentum (oath) to his general, by which he abrogated all

his civilian rights for his 26 years of service. o Everything was done in a group not individually and this trained them discipline

and loyalty to each other o There was a system of rewards and punishment o Death for many offenses (faalling asleep or going absent without leave), desertion,

theft (from a comrade), perjury, homosexual acts with other soldier and cowardice. After a brief trial, the guilty soldier was hit with staff by the tribune, a cue for the other soldiers to club or stone him to death.

o If entire unit was found guilty of cowardice or mutiny, it might be decimated. Every 10th bludgeoned to death and the remainder of the unit disgraced, pitching their tents outside the main camp and being fed barley rather than wheat.

o Reward: booty from campaign, decorations, crowns o Certain privileges enjoyed by soliders in foreign fields o Matt 5:41 He is talking about a practice called angaria, when Roman soldiers

forced subjects to carry stuff for them and used them as mail carriers. The soldiers carried 60-85lb backpacks and carried them for miles from city to city and they many times forced the regular citizens to do this for them. It was so prevalent in the RE that laws were written against it but were never enforced.

o This unity and discipline was applied in the field where victory was a recurring theme.

• This was one of the key reasons why Rome became what it was, the disciple of the army • Rome had a reasonably continuous policy. Long generations of rulers set themselves to

one task — the growth of Rome. Their ideal was great statesmanship, not the search for the good, the true, and the beautiful, as in Greece. The real greatness of Roman policy lay in the government’s interest in people. Moral authority of high standard was preserved for a long time in the senate, until demoralization came in the first century. (Ferguson, Backgrounds, 22)

FIRST CONTACTS WITH ISRAEL

Think back to our discussion about the end of the Hasmonean Dynasty when two brothers were fighting for power and one banished the other, who went south toward another kingdom, Idumea. That king, Aretas III decided to benefit from this power vacuum by assisting the older brother who was banished to get back to power. They attacked and this created a civil war. Both sides appealed to Rome for help which had a general, Pompey, in Syria finalizing conquest of the Seleucid empire and used his proximity as excuse to enter Judea

He entered the city, and even entered the Holy of Holies which outraged the people

He did not make much damage to the city, just restored the older brother who was deposed back as a HP and gave oversight to Syria over that region while Aretas III was told to go home to Idumea. This was 63BC

Between 63-31 BC, Rome is undergoing internal problems where power shifts from one general to another—Pompey=>Caesar=>Octavian

This becomes a period of power shifts in Judea as well when their ruler, Antipater shifts allegiances from Pompey to Caesar who rewards him with R. citizenship and administration of Judea

Julius Caesar

• Permitted Jewish religious freedom—sabbath observance, freedom from military service, observe festivals, protection for scriptures

• Exempt from worshipping emperor but expected to revere him • Exclusion from pagan festivals • When Antipater’s son became king, he continued the Roman policy

When he died, his son, Herod the Great, was given the title King of Judea and he ruled for 33 yrs and also shifted his allegiances when he saw the Roman political tide move

Now while Caesar was giving out power to foreigners, internal strife persisted

• Two Hasmonean heirs were fighting for the HP role, uncle & nephew • The nephew succeeded and bit off his uncle’s ears because OT teaches that the HP cant

have physical defects • Lev 21:17-20 Speak to Aaron and say: No one of your offspring throughout their

generations who has a blemish may approach to offer the food of his God. For no one who has a blemish shall draw near, one who is blind or lame, or one who has a mutilated face or a limb too long19 or one who has a broken foot or a broken hand, 20 or a hunchback, or a dwarf, or a man with a blemish in his eyes or an itching disease or scabs or crushed testicles.

Herod is chased out of Judea and flees to Rome

For 3 yrs this last Hasmonean (antigonus) heir rules as king-priest

Herod the Great appeals to Rome and is declared king but it takes 3 yrs to transition the power to him

Antigonus (last Hasmonean ruler) is arrested, flogged and executed 37BC

This establishes the rule in the hands of Herod the Great

Judea

You see you can place all these rulers in Judea under Roman rule into the category of “puppet kings”, they were client kings who fulfilled the bidding of Rome

They had some autonomy but if Rome became at all suspicious or unhappy, that king would be immediately removed and either exiled or executed

Rome wanted 2 things from these puppet kings

• Taxes o The good life in Rome was contingent upon foreign taxes o How were they supposed to hold games and entertainment if the conquered people

didn’t pay? o E.g.: Colosseum—opening games 9000 animals killed, in the peak of the empire

180 days in a year were spent in the colosseum watching games • Peace

o Pax Romana-Romans wanted a calm life o They loved their villas, their luxury lives and didn’t want to hear about political

uprisings in parts of the empire. o The puppet kings were supposed to keep peace

Herod the Great 37-4BC

Background

• Herod was an Idumean. Idumea had been conquered decades previous to the ascendancy of Herod by Hyrcanus I. The Idumeans had been forced to convert to Judaism, therefore Herod’s official religion was Judaism.xxxii

• Herod grew up in a time of tremendous upheaval, having been born during the reign of Alexander Jannaeus, he was no stranger to violence and intrigue. Throughout his teen years, the civil war between Hyrcanus II and Aristobulus II had been raging. He had seen firsthand the power of the Romans when they stepped in to officiate the dispute. This was a lesson which Herod would not soon forget.xxxiii

• Having come from Idumea, Herod was a descendant of the traditional enemies of Israel, the Edomites.39 He was not logically in line to gain access to the throne, but through the turmoil of the civil war period, his father, Antipater gained a great deal of influence, and was able to insert Herod into a powerful position of governor. In order to gain access to the royal Maccabean line, Herod married his way into the family through Mariamne, the grand-daughter of Hyrcanus II, and the last Hasmonean princess.40 With all of the major contenders out of the way, Herod was set to become the sole rightful ruler after his acknowledgment by the Senate. He already held the power, and with his acknowledgement and marriage he had gained the right.xxxiv

• As for the Jewish people, there viewpoint on all of this was not overly favorable. The Jews hated the fact that the Hasmoneans had essentially sold the kingdom to their Roman overlords, and Herod was certainly no stranger to Rome and its ways. Rather than leading them to victory over the Romans as the ancient Maccabees had done, the people saw Herod cozying up to the Romans and resented Him for it. They knew that His Judaism was only a façade that was good so long as Herod was within the confines of Jerusalem.41 In fact, when a false report when amongst the people that Herod had died, they were so ecstatic that they began to “pull down all those works which the King had erected42.” In addition to his ethnicity, the people hated Herod because of the Greek sports and murders that Herod perpetrated throughout the land.xxxv

i Ferguson, Backgrounds, 6 ii Ferguson, Backgrounds, 6 iii Ben Witherington, New Testament History : A Narrative Account (Grand Rapids, Mich. Carlisle, Cumbria, U.K. Paternoster Press,: Baker Academic ;, 2001), 31. iv Ibid. v Ibid., 31-32. vi Ibid., 32. vii Ibid. viii Ibid., 33. ix Ibid. x Robert L. Cate, A History of the Bible Lands in the Interbiblical Period (Nashville, Tenn.: Broadman Press, 1989), 25. xi Ferguson, Backgrounds, 9 xii Plato, Cratylus 386a; Theaetetus 152a.

xiii Ferguson, Backgrounds, 8 xiv Ferguson, Backgrounds, 15 xv Ferguson, Backgrounds, 10 xvi Miller, S. R. (2001). Vol. 18: Daniel (electronic ed.). Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (223). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers. xvii OCD 3rd ed., s.v., “Alexander.” xviii OCD, 1462. xix ABD, sv “Antiochus.” xx ABD, sv “Antiochus.” xxi ABD xxii Cate, A History of the Bible Lands in the Interbiblical Period, 66. xxiii Ibid., 65. xxiv Bruce Manning Metzger, The New Testament: Its Background, Growth, and Content (New York,: Abingdon Press, 1965), 24. xxv Ferguson, Backgrounds, 1 xxvi Ferguson, Backgrounds, 21 xxvii Ferguson, Backgrounds, 22 xxviii Lyall, Slaves and Citizens, 61 xxix Lyall, Slaves and Citizens, 62 xxx Lyall, Slaves and Citizens, 63 xxxi Lyall, Slaves and Citizens, 63-64 xxxii Rich Gregory, Customs Syllabus xxxiii R Gregory, Customs Syllabus xxxiv R Gregory, Customs Syllabus xxxv R Gregory, Customs Syllabus