Setting the Stage: The Intertestamental Period 4 th c. BC ~ 1 st c. AD

1. Setting the Stage: The Intertestamental Period 4th c. BC ~ 1st c. AD Life of Christ ~ Bible 9SRCS ~ mr .e

2. The Full Canon It is most important to understand that both the Old and the New Testaments complement one another and their full messages cannot be comprehended without both sections relying totally on each other. But, in order to blend the two together in a compatible way, the 400 year span known as the "Intertestamental Period" must be studied and understood. Once this is done, it will be seen how sensible the New Testament teaching really is and how dependent it is upon that of the Old Testament. As the apostle Paul said, even the doctrines which comprised "the Mystery" are founded on"the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone"(Ephesians 2:20). Ezra closed the Old Testament canon in the 5th century B.C. and the 400 years to follow are referred to as ‘silent’. Why?

3. Old Testament reference point Who is this? Who had this done? Which kingdom did he rule?

4. 334 BC ~ 4 BC Alexander the Great (Part 1) Political Turmoil At the age of 20, Alexander took to the throne and soon consolidated Greek rule. In Palestine, he permitted the Jews to keep their religious practices. Some say this was because he believed them when they informed him that the rise of Greece as destroyer of Persia was prophesied in the sacred book of Daniel. He went on to conquer territory all the way to India, where he sustained fatal battle wounds and died before he could return to Macedonia. 539-331 B.C. Persian Rule 331-143 B.C. Grecian Rule Cyrus of Persia defeated the Babylonians and permitted the dispersed nations to return to their homelands. The Jews returned to Jerusalem and the rest of Judah under Zerubabbel in 538 B.C. and under Ezra in 457 B.C. Nehemiah came to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem in 444 B.C. and remained in Jerusalem until 433 B.C., when he returned to Persia,before a final return back to Judah in 423 B.C. At his death, Alexander failed to appoint a successor. This set off a power grab among his generals. (eg. Ptolemies, Seleucids) It is quite complex here…but to get an idea… in one 22 year span, Palestine changed hands 6 times. Philip II, of Macedon (Greek) was murdered as he prepared to battle the Persians. His son Alexander III, the Great avenged this setback when he defeated Darius III, and went on to carveout the Greek Empire which his father began.

5. The Maccabees…a name to remember Many Theologians believe that Antiochus IV Epiphanes fulfilled the prophecy of “abomination of desolation” in Daniel where Jewish religious customs were considered capital crimes and reached their culmination when he had a pig sacrificed on the Altar of the LORD in the Temple. Mattathias: 166 B.C. Because Antiochus IV Epiphanes (considered to be “the manifest god”) was even more extreme than Alexander in his forced Hellenization of Palestine, every Palestinian village was ordered to set up a heathen altar for ritual sacrifice,in the village of Modein, a priest named Mattathias refused to comply. When another Jew offered to do so in his place before the king’s agent, Mattathias killed both the other Jew and the agent. He also tore down the altar and declared his resistance to Antiochus, calling for supporters to join him and his 5 sons (John, Simon, Judas3, Eleazar, and Jonathan) as they fled to the mountains. The Hasidim sect joined them to begin the Maccabean revolt, the struggle to resist Hellenization of the Jews. They did not hesitate to kill fellow Jews who complied with Antiochus. When Mattathias died in 166 B.C., his third son Judas took over the leadership. Read I Maccabee 1,2 from the New English Apocrypha Mattathias the Maccabee(Head) , 1894, bronze http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrsa/1-maccabees/1.html

6. The Maccabees…a name to remember The Maccabeats - Candlelight - Hanukkah - YouTube Judas Maccabeus: 166-160 B.C. In 164 B.C., he marched into Jerusalem and restored the temple. He replaced the pagan altar with a Jewish one and appointed priests who resisted the Seleucids. Finally, he reinstituted the practice of daily sacrifices at the temple. This marked the beginning of the Jewish Feast of Dedication (Light) – what today, we refer to as Hanukkah. The name Maccabean refers to the nickname given to the family of Mattathias. It means ‘hammer’ and celebrates the obstinacy and might of Judas and his successors. Machabeusze (Maccabees), oil on canvas, 262 x 371 cm, owned by National Museum in Kraków, Poland

7. 334 BC ~ 4 BC Political Turmoil The Hasmonean rule marks the success of the Maccabean revolt in establishing Israel’s independence, sort of. The Hasmonean dynasty refers to the period of Simon’s rule until 63 B.C. 142-63 B.C. Hasmonean Rule 63-4 B.C. Roman Rule When Julius Caesar appointed Antipater II procurator of Judah and Hyrcanus II, Ethnarch of the Jews in 47 B.C., Antipater II appointed his son Phasael governor of Jerusalem and his son Herod governor of Galilee. In 44 B.C. Julius Caesar was murdered. In 42 B.C., Anthony defeated Cassius and asked Hyrcanus II to select whom to rule Judea. Upon Hyrcanus II’s recommendation, Anthony appointed Herod and Phasael tetrarchs of Judea. Alexander Janneus, king and high priest, was a drunkard and during a Feast of the Tabernacle, poured the water of libation over his feet instead of on the altar, as prescribed by Pharisaic ritual. On the matter of the religious rivalry, the Hasmoneans were closer to the Sadducees than to the Pharisees, so this act was seen as a deliberate slight on the Pharisees. When the angry pro-Pharisaic worshippers pelted him with lemons, he responded with military action that killed over 6000 Jews. In 63 B.C., Pompey laid siege on Jerusalem for 3 months and demanded its surrender. While Aristobulus’ men held the gate, Hyrcanus II took advantage of the situation against his brother and sent his men to open the gates to let Pompey in. The Roman general killed 12,000 Jews that day. This ended the Hasmonean rule. Hyrcanus was never to be re-crowned.

8. Apocrypha • Means “hidden books”. • From Intertestamental period. • Included: • History (1 & 2 Maccabees). • Wisdom (W of Solomon, Ecclesiasticus) • Fiction (Tobit, Judith). • Accepted by Catholics. Bel and the Dragon New American Bible of Daniel 14

9. Pseudepigrapha • Means false writings, name falsely ascribed. • Writings that appeared in Intertestamental period associated with an OT figure. • Eg.: 1 & 2 Enoch, Assumption of Moses. …much of this film is, in fact, ‘pseudographical’…

10. Canon Question Why is it that Protestants and Jews do not believe in the Apocryphal books? (Tobit, Judith, Maccabees 1 &2, Baruch, Wisdom, and Sirach) • Early Church Fathers were split; the Roman Catholic Church ratified these books "deuterocanonical“ in 1546 (as a rxn to the Reformation), meaning that they were on a "second" list of Scriptural books beyond those initially recognized as canonical.

11. Canon The Protestant argument against including these seven books in the Canon has several elements, including but not limited to the following: • The Jews did not recognize these books as canonical prior to the time of Christ. • While Christ affirmed the Hebrew canon of his day, he nowhere affirmed these extra-canonical works. • New Testament references potentially drawn from these books (2 Peter and Jude) do not constitute endorsements of these books, but rather endorsements of some of the ideas. • Even though the books were known and even used in the early church, they were not recognized as authoritative by any of the seven ecumenical councils of the early church. • In our understanding of the Scriptures, the teachings found in these seven books do not sufficiently cohere with that of the other canonical books.

12. Canon This is not to say that Protestants claim these books are totally without value. Rather, we consider them to be as valuable as any other non-inspired human writing. Artemisia Gentileschi Judith Beheading Holofernes (1620, oil on canvas, the Uffizi, Florence, Italy) Spem in alium is a forty-part Renaissance motet by Thomas Tallis, composed circa 1570 for eight choirs of five voices each. The text is from the Book of Judith: I have never put my hope in any other but in you, O God of Israel who can show both anger and graciousness, and who absolves all the sins of suffering man Lord God, Creator of Heaven and Earth be mindful of our lowliness Among the theories is that it was first performed for Queen Elizabeth’s 40th birthday… We also recognize that they provide important historical insights into the ideas and cultures of the people who wrote them. The King's Singers - Spem In Alium

13. Which Religious Ideals Surrounded the Jewish Tradition? 4 Features of Graeco-Roman Religion • Nonexclusive/pluralistic (open to the worship of many gods)paganism • Power of fate (Thus importance of astrology & magic) • Corporate (not an individual matter) • Separate from morality (Exemplified by gods & goddesses)

14. Which Religious Ideals Surrounded the Jewish Tradition? PAGANISM Early Romans believed gods inhabited nature: Animism: souls in objects/creatures Pantheism: universe = god Thus they piled offerings on the roadside of the forests to the various spirits for safety. (remind you of anything?...a film perhaps?) Romans conquered Greeks & adopted pantheon (I.e. Zeus became Jupiter). Problem: gods were morally flawed & were exposed—not powerful enough to protect Greeks.

15. Emperor Worship Julius Caesar accepted honors due a deity. Augustus (27 BC) used it for political unity. Caligula (AD 37) demanded worship. Jews & Christians refused (monotheism: Deut 6; 1 Cor 8:6). Many Romans saw emperor worship as a harmless patriotic duty.

16. Mystery Religions Predated Christian times. Originated in the East. Involved intimacy of a group observing secret rites, mystical formulae, symbolic washings & sacred fellowship meals. Death & rebirth of gods with vegetation cycle.

17. GNOSTICISM From the Greek gnosis = knowledge. Problem of ignorance solved by knowledge. Matter seen as evil. Asceticism is means of communion w/god through denial of any earthly comforts. Evil originated with demiurge, a subsequent emanation associated with evil. (AKA the progressive emanations are a gradual and progressive distancing from the ultimate source, which brings about an instability in the fabric of the divine nature )

18. Biblical references to Gnostic influences 1 Tim 6:20 – Don’t give attention to what is falsely called knowledge. Col 2:21 – Warning against asceticism. Col 1:9 – Answer is the knowledge of God’s will. 1 John 4:1-3 Dealt with those denying the reality of Christ’s physical body.

19. Diogenes by John William Waterhouse, depicting his lamp, tub and diet of onions Greek Philosophies Which defined pleasure as the highest good? Epicureanism. Which called for moderation & self-control? Stoicism. Which rejected all else to attain virtue/happiness? Cynicism. (Ascetic School) Which rejected all standards of right & wrong? Skeptics.

20. The Septuagint: A column of uncial text from 1 Esdras in the Codex Vaticanus, Literature of Judaism The oldest of several ancient translations of the Hebrew Bible into Greek. The word "septuaginta" means "seventy" in Latin and derives from a tradition that seventy-two Jewish scholars (seventy being the nearest round number) translated the Pentateuch (or Torah) from Hebrew into Greek • OT in original Hebrew. • Greek translation of OT, LXX around 250 BC under Ptolemy Philadelphus. • Oral translations (Targums) written down in Aramaic.

21. Rabbinic Interpretation The rabbinic interpretations recorded prior to 2nd century? Mishnah. The comments on the Mishnah in 3rd & 4th century? Gemarah. The moderate school? Hillel. The strict school? Shammai.

22. Jewish Theology • Creed affirming monotheism: Shema. (Deut 6:4) • Emphasized moral & ceremonial law. • Intertestament period introduced individual resurrection. • Anticipation of a Messiah, political deliverer. • Gentile adherents circumcised: proselytes. (a ritual baptism had also developed for Gentiles converting to Judaism, self-administered to be purified, as it were, to enter into the covenant community of Israel. (Sproul 8 Commentary on John)) • God-fearers were uncircumcised. 4 “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.”

23. The Sects of Judaism Who recorded, interpreted & taught the Law? Scribes. Who proposed revolt from the Roman gov’t? Zealots. Who were monastic separatists from priests? Essenes. Supporter of Herod? Herodians.

24. Pharisees Largest & most influential Jewish group. Originated from Hasidim who gave attention to written & oral law to avoid disobedience. Accepted the entire OT canon. Believed in angels, immortality of the soul & resurrection of the body. Had minority voice on Sanhedrin.

25. Sadducees Related to the priestly hierarchy. Wealthy, controlled the temple (bank). Only accepted the Torah. Anti-supernaturalists: denied angels, immortality of the soul & the resurrection. Had controlling influence on Sanhedrin. Energy focused on retaining their power.

26. The Temple History 1st built by King Solomon (950 BC).

27. The Temple History Destroyed by Babylonians in 586 B.C.

28. The Temple History Restored in 516 BC prodded by Haggai & Zechariah. .

29. The Temple History Herod the Great’s improvements in 20 BC. Magnificent white marble stones with gold.

30. The Temple History Destruction of the Temple of Jerusalem, by Francesco Hayez Destroyed by Romans in 70 AD.

31. Temple Divisions Where village priests served (Luke 1). Outer Court – of Gentiles. Place of cleansing. (12) Inner Court – of Jewish women, then priests. (9->6) Holy Place – priest makes am & pm sacrifice (3) Holy of Holies – entered by the high priest on the day of Atonement. (1)

32. Sabbath Observance 7th day of rest & assembly in synagogue. Sharing of meal with family & friends. 39 classes of work prohibitions – Mishnah. Major issue for Pharisees in conflict with Jesus.

33. Jewish Festivals In the spring, this marked the beginning of grain harvest & exodus from Egypt? Passover. In late spring, this marked the completion of grain harvest & giving of the Law? Pentecost (Feast of Weeks) In the fall, the end of grape harvest & commemorating the wilderness wanderings? Tabernacles or Booths.

34. The Synagogue 10 Jewish men in community required. Rabbi conducted school for boys. Offerings dispersed for the poor & needy. President & elders settled disputes / admin. Hazzan – caretaker, announcer. Elaborate stone structure. Developed from meetings at the gate (1 theory leastways)

35. Synagogue Worship Rabbi stood to read. Sat to preach. Began with Shema & 18 praises. Ritual prayer. Scripture reading. Sermon. Blessing by the priest. Preaching point for Paul (Acts 13:14) & meeting place for early Christians (James 2:2).