As we wrap up a very brief look at the time between the testaments, we will look at some of the results that affect the New Testament.
Language
Hebrew - Hebrew was, by this time, largely a dead language, replaced by Aramaic and Greek. Which is why the New Testament is written in Greek, and not Hebrew. Why is this important? The words in a dead language do not change, making translation and understanding more sure.
Koine Greek – Alexander the Great strove to bring about a world culture based on and emulating Greek society. Part of this was in language. As Greek became the common language (koine means “common”), it became that which was often used in writing, thus the New Testament was written in Greek. Shortly after the New Testament was written, it too died as a language.
Sects
Pharisees – The Pharisees were a group that was dedicated to zealously keeping even the “least” part of the law of Moses. Over time, they came to put equal emphasis on traditions that they had come up with. They were regarded by most as the most pure or holy of the Jews, and were generally made up of people of the middle and lower classes. The Pharisees opposed Christ, and the apostle Paul was formerly a Pharisee.
Sadducees – The Saducees were a religious sect made up primarily of the upper classes of Jewish society (the wealthy, priests, etc.) and were generally regarded as the more conservative of the religious sects at the time. One of the major divisions between Pharisees and Saducees is that Saducees did not believe in resurrection. The Sadducees by the time of the New Testament were a small group whose power was felt primarily in the Sanhedrin.
Herodians – The Herodians were not a religious sect. Rather, they were a political party. These were Jews who supported the reign of Herod the Great and his family. These individuals were in favor of hellenization, of Roman involvement in Judea, and of the policies put in place by the Herodian family. The apostle Matthew, as a tax collector, was probably a Herodian.
Zealots – Zealots were the opposite of the Herodians. Early zealots would include the Macabbees we looked at last week. They were fierce nationalists who often held it as a religious duty to remove any influence from outside nations and to gain independence through any means possible, including military insurrection. It was through their efforts that Judea would later revolt, leading to the destruction of the temple in AD70. The apostle Simon (not Simon Peter) was a zealot.
Nations
Greece – The time of Greek control over the area had brought in the Greek language, ideas, and architectures. Their involvement also brought about much of the division among the Jews themselves.
Idumea/Edom – Because the Macabbees had forced the Idumeans to convert to Judaism, the Herodians to gain power. Herod, of course, put his own people in positions of authority, effectively creating a religious society governed by the least religious.
Rome – Rome policed Judea, enforced Roman laws, and their agents made decisions in most significant court cases. Roman involvement governed a great deal of Jewish life in the first century, as well as providing the infrastructure so important to early evangelism throughout the empire.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Between Malachi and Matthew: From Rebellion to Rome
Last week we briefly looked at the time in which Persia ruled Judea, and got into the time the Greeks ruled Judea. Specifically, to the reign of Antiochus Epiphanes. Which is where we pick up the story this week.
Antiochus Epiphanes was so named because he claimed to be the epiphany, a manifestation, of the Greek god Zeus. In accordance with this proclamation, he began requiring everyone in his kingdom to pay him homage not only as king, but also as a god. This, of course, caused problems for the Jews, who were to worship only Jehovah. Antiochus also sold the position of high priest among the Jews to those who were willing to pay (the high priest when Antiochus came to power was much opposed to him). One of these men who had bought the position went so far as to build a Greek gymnasium (more than just a place to exercise, it required homage to various Greek gods). Naturally, there was an uproar over the high priest doing such a thing, and rioting was the result. A little later, Antiochus Epiphanes took more direct action. He assaulted Jerusalem, killing a sizable portion of the population. He also took steps to burn all copies of the law, forbid circumcision, forbid feast days and sabbaths, and set out to get rid of Jewish dietary restrictions. Finally, as though this wasn't enough, he set up an altar to Zeus in the temple itself, and offered a pig in sacrifice to the false god.
The rebellion against the Selucid kingdom really began when Mattathias, a priest in Modein, killed a Selucid officer and another man who were attempting to force idolatrous sacrifice. Matthathias and his five sons fled into the hill country, put out a cal to arms, and a number of men answered the call. They began fighting a guerrilla war against the Selucids. Upon Mattathias' death, he appointed his middle son Judas to lead the people in rebellion against the Greeks. This proved a good decision, as Judas, always outnumbered, won a brilliant series of battles against the oppressors. Judas was quickly given the name “Maccabeus,” meaning “hammer.” For a number of years, the control of Jesusalem switched hands between the Selucids and the Jews. Judas Maccabeus was eventually killed in battle, and his brother Simon took control of the army. Simon, in time, was replaced by his son John Hyrcanus. And eventually, under his generalship, the Maccabees won independence way from the Selucids.
In the decades between 105 and 63BC, the Maccabean family declined. There was much infighting and, shall we say, questionable motivation as each strove to gain power. During this time, much effort was spent in forcing the Idumeans (the Greek name for the Edomites) to convert to Judaism. In 63BC, Pompey, a Roman general, led his troops into Jerusalem. This occupation was short lived, as the Parthians (from the east of Judea) overran the area. In large measure, the Roman desire for the area was in order to defend against the Parthians. In 37AD, Judea became a Roman tributary through the actions of Herod the Great. In seeking power, he wanted the approval of Rome (dominated by Caesar Augustus and Mark Antony at the time). And he got it. It's worth noting that Herod was an Idumean, one of those who had been forcibly “converted” to Judaism. Needless to say, his religious convictions were not deep.
And that quickly brings us to the beginning of the New Testament, where Judea, Galilee, and Samaria are Roman tributaries, but technically not part of the Roman Empire, governed over by Herod the Great. And Caesar Augustus, the first emperor of Rome, decided to make a census of the Roman world, for which a man named Joseph and his soon to be wife traveled to a town named Bethlehem.
Next week we will look at some of the long term effects that this 400 years had on life in the New Testament.
Antiochus Epiphanes was so named because he claimed to be the epiphany, a manifestation, of the Greek god Zeus. In accordance with this proclamation, he began requiring everyone in his kingdom to pay him homage not only as king, but also as a god. This, of course, caused problems for the Jews, who were to worship only Jehovah. Antiochus also sold the position of high priest among the Jews to those who were willing to pay (the high priest when Antiochus came to power was much opposed to him). One of these men who had bought the position went so far as to build a Greek gymnasium (more than just a place to exercise, it required homage to various Greek gods). Naturally, there was an uproar over the high priest doing such a thing, and rioting was the result. A little later, Antiochus Epiphanes took more direct action. He assaulted Jerusalem, killing a sizable portion of the population. He also took steps to burn all copies of the law, forbid circumcision, forbid feast days and sabbaths, and set out to get rid of Jewish dietary restrictions. Finally, as though this wasn't enough, he set up an altar to Zeus in the temple itself, and offered a pig in sacrifice to the false god.
The rebellion against the Selucid kingdom really began when Mattathias, a priest in Modein, killed a Selucid officer and another man who were attempting to force idolatrous sacrifice. Matthathias and his five sons fled into the hill country, put out a cal to arms, and a number of men answered the call. They began fighting a guerrilla war against the Selucids. Upon Mattathias' death, he appointed his middle son Judas to lead the people in rebellion against the Greeks. This proved a good decision, as Judas, always outnumbered, won a brilliant series of battles against the oppressors. Judas was quickly given the name “Maccabeus,” meaning “hammer.” For a number of years, the control of Jesusalem switched hands between the Selucids and the Jews. Judas Maccabeus was eventually killed in battle, and his brother Simon took control of the army. Simon, in time, was replaced by his son John Hyrcanus. And eventually, under his generalship, the Maccabees won independence way from the Selucids.
In the decades between 105 and 63BC, the Maccabean family declined. There was much infighting and, shall we say, questionable motivation as each strove to gain power. During this time, much effort was spent in forcing the Idumeans (the Greek name for the Edomites) to convert to Judaism. In 63BC, Pompey, a Roman general, led his troops into Jerusalem. This occupation was short lived, as the Parthians (from the east of Judea) overran the area. In large measure, the Roman desire for the area was in order to defend against the Parthians. In 37AD, Judea became a Roman tributary through the actions of Herod the Great. In seeking power, he wanted the approval of Rome (dominated by Caesar Augustus and Mark Antony at the time). And he got it. It's worth noting that Herod was an Idumean, one of those who had been forcibly “converted” to Judaism. Needless to say, his religious convictions were not deep.
And that quickly brings us to the beginning of the New Testament, where Judea, Galilee, and Samaria are Roman tributaries, but technically not part of the Roman Empire, governed over by Herod the Great. And Caesar Augustus, the first emperor of Rome, decided to make a census of the Roman world, for which a man named Joseph and his soon to be wife traveled to a town named Bethlehem.
Next week we will look at some of the long term effects that this 400 years had on life in the New Testament.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Between Malachi and Matthew: From Persia to Greece
There is a period of about 400 years between when the Old Testament ends, and when the New Testament begins. Lately, some have asked questions about this time period, and how what we see at the end of the Old Testament gets to the very different scenario of the New Testament world. While this, because of a lack of scripture, may be unsuitable as a sermon subject, that is partially the sort of thing I like to include in the bulletin. This week we will look at how Judea went from Persian control to becoming, Hellenized (or Greek-like). While the history presented here will be incomplete, it is hoped that it will help us better understand this time period, and thus the Bible.
The Old Testament closes with Judea under Persian rule. Artaxerxes I was the king who allowed Nehemiah to return and to begin rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. He was followed by his son, Darius II, who extended Persian control into Asia Minor. Upon his death, his son Artaxerxes II took power. His reign was marked by revolt. Egypt separated itself from Persian rule, his brother waged a civil war and was eventually killed in battle, and many of the western satraps (governors) rose up in rebellion and had to be defeated. Although Artaxerxes II maintained control, it was evident that the empire was growing too slippery to hold. His son, Artaxerxes III, largely ruled through blunt force, even to the point of killing his siblings to make sure they didn't rise up against him. He was poisoned by his son in 338BC. His son, Arses, held power for only two years before he and his family was murdered, and replaced by a man who took the name Darius III. During his reign, he was defeated by the Greek, Philip the Macedonian. The Persian Empire (sometimes referred to as the Medo-Persian Empire because of the intermingling of the two peoples) had come to an end.
In 336BC, Philip the Macedonian died. Before that time he had managed to join all the previously independent city states under his rule. Upon his death, his 20 year old son took over. His son was Alexander, who we usually refer to as Alexander the Great. Alexander's great dream was to have the entire world united in a single Hellenized (Greek) society. And so he set out to accomplish that very thing, managing to conquer everything between Greece and India before his death, shortly before his 33rd birthday. Because he focused his goal on creating a Greek society across the world, this is often referred to as the Greek Empire. It is also referred to as the Macedonian Empire.
After Alexander died, the kingdom did not remain united. It was split into several different parts, run by his generals. The ones that concern us are the Selucid and Ptolemaic kingdoms. The Selucid kingdom was that part which was north and east of Judea, occupying a huge swath of land from the Mediterranean in the west to nearly India in the east. It is sometimes also referred to as the Syrian kingdom, as that was the capital area. The Ptolemaic kingdom was essentially Egypt. The Pharaohs had been replaced with Greek rule. If you consider a map, you realize that Judea is right between the two, and naturally enough, was fought over by the two kingdoms. After some brief fighting, Judea came under Ptolemaic rule. During this time, all that was really expected of the Jews by the Greeks was that they would pay their taxes (which, admittedly, where high) and behave themselves. They were not forced to give up their faith, traditions, or way of life, as long as those things happened. However, the Selucid ruler Antiochus III (also called Antiochus the great) wrested control of Judea away from the Ptolemaic kingdom. While at first this seemed a boon to Judea, financial concerns after Anctiochus III's failed confrontation with Rome in 190BC caused a harsher change throughout the Selucid kingdom, including Judea. After his death, his son Seleucus IV reigned. He, in turn, was succeeded by Antiochus IV, better known as Antiochus Epiphanes. And with Antiochus Epiphanes came great change to Judea.
Next week, Lord willing, we will take a glance at the Maccabean Revolt and how Rome came to influence Judea. The following week, we will look at at some long term effects of these events.
The Old Testament closes with Judea under Persian rule. Artaxerxes I was the king who allowed Nehemiah to return and to begin rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. He was followed by his son, Darius II, who extended Persian control into Asia Minor. Upon his death, his son Artaxerxes II took power. His reign was marked by revolt. Egypt separated itself from Persian rule, his brother waged a civil war and was eventually killed in battle, and many of the western satraps (governors) rose up in rebellion and had to be defeated. Although Artaxerxes II maintained control, it was evident that the empire was growing too slippery to hold. His son, Artaxerxes III, largely ruled through blunt force, even to the point of killing his siblings to make sure they didn't rise up against him. He was poisoned by his son in 338BC. His son, Arses, held power for only two years before he and his family was murdered, and replaced by a man who took the name Darius III. During his reign, he was defeated by the Greek, Philip the Macedonian. The Persian Empire (sometimes referred to as the Medo-Persian Empire because of the intermingling of the two peoples) had come to an end.
In 336BC, Philip the Macedonian died. Before that time he had managed to join all the previously independent city states under his rule. Upon his death, his 20 year old son took over. His son was Alexander, who we usually refer to as Alexander the Great. Alexander's great dream was to have the entire world united in a single Hellenized (Greek) society. And so he set out to accomplish that very thing, managing to conquer everything between Greece and India before his death, shortly before his 33rd birthday. Because he focused his goal on creating a Greek society across the world, this is often referred to as the Greek Empire. It is also referred to as the Macedonian Empire.
After Alexander died, the kingdom did not remain united. It was split into several different parts, run by his generals. The ones that concern us are the Selucid and Ptolemaic kingdoms. The Selucid kingdom was that part which was north and east of Judea, occupying a huge swath of land from the Mediterranean in the west to nearly India in the east. It is sometimes also referred to as the Syrian kingdom, as that was the capital area. The Ptolemaic kingdom was essentially Egypt. The Pharaohs had been replaced with Greek rule. If you consider a map, you realize that Judea is right between the two, and naturally enough, was fought over by the two kingdoms. After some brief fighting, Judea came under Ptolemaic rule. During this time, all that was really expected of the Jews by the Greeks was that they would pay their taxes (which, admittedly, where high) and behave themselves. They were not forced to give up their faith, traditions, or way of life, as long as those things happened. However, the Selucid ruler Antiochus III (also called Antiochus the great) wrested control of Judea away from the Ptolemaic kingdom. While at first this seemed a boon to Judea, financial concerns after Anctiochus III's failed confrontation with Rome in 190BC caused a harsher change throughout the Selucid kingdom, including Judea. After his death, his son Seleucus IV reigned. He, in turn, was succeeded by Antiochus IV, better known as Antiochus Epiphanes. And with Antiochus Epiphanes came great change to Judea.
Next week, Lord willing, we will take a glance at the Maccabean Revolt and how Rome came to influence Judea. The following week, we will look at at some long term effects of these events.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Cheating on God
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
I Corinthians 6:9-10
We understand what the Bible means when we are told not to commit adultery. We understand what it means when it is condemned in the Old Testament (Exodus 20:14, Proverbs 6:32). We understand what it means when it is condemned in the New Testament (Matthew 5:27-32, Galatians 5:19-21). And so, as Christians, it is something we avoid in marriage. How many marriages have been torn asunder because of an unfaithful spouse? How many families have been broken because of adultery?
And yet, how often do we do as Israel had and commit spiritual adultery? How often are we unfaithful to God? How often do we turn away from Him and turn to somewhere else, effectively cheating on God?
The LORD said also unto me in the days of Josiah the king, Hast thou seen that which backsliding Israel hath done? she is gone up upon every high mountain and under every green tree, and there hath played the harlot. And I said after she had done all these things, Turn thou unto me. But she returned not. And her treacherous sister Judah saw it. And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also. And it came to pass through the lightness of herwhoredom, that she defiled the land, and committed adultery with stones and with stocks.
Jeremiah 3:6-9
Just as adultery often results in the dissolution of a marriage relationship, when we pursue something other than God (Matthew 6:33), we risk dissolving our relationship with God. We must be careful to remain faithful to the Lord. We must be sure that we remain true.
Be submissive to Christ -Ecclesiastes 5:24
Serve no other -Matthew 6:24
Have no idols/covetousness -Colossians 3:5
Remember our first love -Revelation 2:4-5
Let us all strive to be faithful to the Lord. Let us all strive to keep our spiritual relationship intact, that we may be with Him for eternity.
I Corinthians 6:9-10
We understand what the Bible means when we are told not to commit adultery. We understand what it means when it is condemned in the Old Testament (Exodus 20:14, Proverbs 6:32). We understand what it means when it is condemned in the New Testament (Matthew 5:27-32, Galatians 5:19-21). And so, as Christians, it is something we avoid in marriage. How many marriages have been torn asunder because of an unfaithful spouse? How many families have been broken because of adultery?
And yet, how often do we do as Israel had and commit spiritual adultery? How often are we unfaithful to God? How often do we turn away from Him and turn to somewhere else, effectively cheating on God?
The LORD said also unto me in the days of Josiah the king, Hast thou seen that which backsliding Israel hath done? she is gone up upon every high mountain and under every green tree, and there hath played the harlot. And I said after she had done all these things, Turn thou unto me. But she returned not. And her treacherous sister Judah saw it. And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also. And it came to pass through the lightness of herwhoredom, that she defiled the land, and committed adultery with stones and with stocks.
Jeremiah 3:6-9
Just as adultery often results in the dissolution of a marriage relationship, when we pursue something other than God (Matthew 6:33), we risk dissolving our relationship with God. We must be careful to remain faithful to the Lord. We must be sure that we remain true.
Be submissive to Christ -Ecclesiastes 5:24
Serve no other -Matthew 6:24
Have no idols/covetousness -Colossians 3:5
Remember our first love -Revelation 2:4-5
Let us all strive to be faithful to the Lord. Let us all strive to keep our spiritual relationship intact, that we may be with Him for eternity.
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