In The Footsteps Of The Master: The Life and Times of Jesus Christ

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In The Footsteps Of The MasterThe Life and
Times of Jesus Christ

• The Time Between the Testaments
• September 7, 2008

www.FootstepsOfTheMaster.info
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What Have I Gotten Myself Into?

• An open-ended, in-depth study of the Life of
  Jesus, based on a Harmony of the Gospels
• Our goal is to cover three major areas in each
  lesson
• Geographical and cultural setting
• An episode from Jesus life
• Application for today
• Hopefully we can bring Jesus to life as we walk
  in His footsteps

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History of the Jewish Nation

• Israel reached its peak under David and Solomon
• However, Divided Kingdoms followed under Rehoboam
  and Jeroboam
• Steady downhill slide away from God
• Both nations were ultimately conquered and exiled
  for failure to keep Gods commands
• Israel and Judah forever subject to other
  nations, except for brief period

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After the Exile

• Following the Exile
• Some Jews allowed to return to homelands
• However, many chose to stay where settled
• Zerubbabel rebuilt the Temple in 515 BC
• Nehemiah rebuilt the Wall in 445 BC
• But No National Jewish State
• After Malachi, the Old Testament is silent about
  the condition of the Jews
• The next 400 years or so simply pass by

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Silence of the OT?

• Daniel prophesied in 590-580 BC about what was to
  come
• Read Daniel 226-45
• He predicted the seriesof kingdoms that
  wouldrule over the Jews forthe next 600-700
  years

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Daniels Prophecy

• Head of Gold Babylon
• Breast of Silver Medo-Persia
• Belly Thighs of Bronze Greece
• Legs of Iron Rome
• Feet of Iron Clay European Union?
• The Stone An Everlasting Kingdom

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From the Exile Forward
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Views of the Messiah

• During the Inter-Testamental Period, the Jews
  subjection to other nations influenced their view
  of the Messiah, evidenced by Jewish literature
• The picture of the Suffering Servant of Isaiah 53
  gave way to that of the Warrior King who would
  reign on Davids throne
• They were expecting a Deliverer who would set
  things aright and restore Israel to her former
  glory

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Inter-Testamental History

• After the death of Alexander the Great, his
  empire was divided among his generals
• Ptolemy took Egypt (Ptolemaic Kingdom)
• Seleucus took Syria (Seleucid Empire)
• Palestine/Judea lay between them and was overrun
  numerous times by one or the other of these
  kingdoms
• Jews struggle to re-establish a Nation

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Antiochus Epiphanes

• Ruler of the Seleucid Empire (175-164BC)
• Sought to Hellenize the Jewish Nation
• Made Jewish religious practices illegalin 167 BC
• Set up a statue of Zeus in the Temple
• Sacrificed a pig on the Temple Altar to prove his
  point
• Sent Syrian envoys and priests to outlying areas
  to give notice that Jewish sacrifices were
  illegal and that worship of Greek gods was
  required

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Maccabean Rebellion

• Mattathias, a devout Jewish priest from Modiin,
  refused to follow the decree
• Killed both a Jewish priest who attempted to
  offer a sacrifice to a Greek god and the Syrian
  officer who accompanied him
• This sparked a rebellion against the Syrian
  Empire, known as the Maccabean Rebellion
• Led by Mattathais son, Judah Maccabeus (The
  Hammer)

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Rededication of the Temple

• After two years of fighting, the Maccabeans
  forced the Syrians to grant religious freedom for
  the Jews in 165 BC
• Temple cleansed and rededicated
• Feast of Dedication or Festival of Lights
  (Hanukkah) commemorates this event
• However, some wanted to continue the fight for an
  independent Jewish state
• That fight continued until 142 BC and culminated
  with the establishment of the Hasmonean Dynasty

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From Free State to Roman State

• The Hasmonean Jewish State was recognized by the
  Roman Senate in139 BC
• However, the Hasmonean Dynasty quickly began its
  own downward slide
• Corrupt rulers, assassinations, underhanded
  dealing, etc.
• Antipater, father of Herod the Great, became a
  powerful official in the latter years
• Romans assumed control in 63 BC

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The Dawn of the New Testament

• No National Jewish State
• Jewish people are subject to the Romans
• Most Jews dislike Roman Rule
• The Zealots are ready to do anything to overthrow
  Roman Rule
• Herod the Great is King of the Jews
• Though the Jews bristle at the thought
• Many tensions exist
• Messiah will solve them!

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The World of Jesus Day

• Glory Days of the Roman Empire
• Augustus is Emperor
• Romans occupy Judea
• Governors and Client Kings rule
• Secular Culture is Hellenistic
• A remnant of Alexanders Greek Empire
• Greek is common language
• Significant distinction between Jews who embrace
  Greek culture (Hellenists) and those who do not
  (Hebrews)
• Pharisees and Sadducees

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Next Week

• The Word Became Flesh
• Nick Hamilton

Questions?