Interlude: A Kingdom Story Waiting for an Ending The Intertestamental Period

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InterludeA Kingdom StoryWaiting for an
EndingThe Intertestamental Period
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Under Pagan Rule

• Persian (until 331 B.C.)
• Greeks
• Alexander (331 323 B.C.)
• Ptolemies in Egypt (323 198 B.C.)
• Seleucids in Syria (198 142 B.C.)

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Under Pagan Rule

• Persian (until 331 B.C.)
• Greeks
• Alexander (331 323 B.C.)
• Ptolemies in Egypt (323 198 B.C.)
• Seleucids in Syria (198 142 B.C.)
• Israels independence (142 63 B.C.)
• Rome (63 B.C. N.T. period)

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Israels Faith

• One God
• Israel chosen by God
• Torah defined Israels life
• Holy belonged to Israel
• Hope for future act of God

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Growing Tensions

• Oppressions and hope
• Pagan influence and faithfulness to Torah

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Growing Hatred

• For Gentile oppressors
• For compromising Jews

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Growing Hope

• For coming kingdom of God
• Differing views
• How it would come
• When it would come
• Through whom it would come
• How to live until it came

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Unfolding Story

• Persian rule Jewish identity?
• Alexander Threat of Hellenism
• Antiochus Epiphanes and Maccabean Revolt
• Compromised Jewish rule Hasmoneans and
  diversified response

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Diversified Response

• Essenes Withdrawal
• Pharisees Boundary markers
• Zealots Violent revolt
• Sadducees Strategic compromise

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Unfolding Story

• Persian rule Jewish identity?
• Alexander Threat of Hellenism
• Antiochus Epiphanes and Maccabean Revolt
• Compromised Jewish rule Hasmoneans and
  diversified response
• Roman rule and revolt
• Israel ready for Gods kingdom

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End of the Intertestamental Period