1.
introduction;
2.
brief Jewish history of the
inter-testament period;
3.
three centers of Judaism during the
inter-testament period;
4.
influence by Greek during the
inter-testament period; and
5.
influence by Roman during the
inter-testament period.
1A. INTRODUCTION
1B Significant
Changes in the Holy Land During the 400 Silent Years
As
the pages of the New Testament are opened, it soon becomes apparent that many
things have changed since the close of the Old Testament. It would he a mistake
to assume that the world in which Jesus and the apostles lived was the same one
that Ezra, Nehemiah, and Malachi lived in. Things were quire different. It is
important, therefore, to note some of these changes before entering into a
study of the text of the New Testament.
Political
control of Palestine had changed hands several times since the days of Haggai,
Zechariah, and Malachi. At the time of Christ, the rulers of the world were the
emperors of Rome — Caesar Augustus, Tiberius Caesar (Luke 2:1; 3:1), and their
successors. How the Roman Empire came into being and how it managed its
territories is part of our investigation. The world felt the impact of a great
Greek culture during the inter-testament period. It was "Hellenized."
The Hellenistic influence was pervasive, touching language and customs. It also
touched the world of ideas: religious, political, and social. The influence of
Hellenism on Jewish life is an issue of great importance in our study.
Between
the prophet Malachi and the New Testament writers there elapsed over four
hundred years — silent years to one who reads only the Bible. Many of the
factors which made up the New Testament picture originated during this period.
Reading the New Testament, we come across names which are not mentioned in the
Hebrew Scriptures, such as Pharisee, Sadducee, and Herodian. We read of the
synagogue and the "feast of the dedication" (John 10:22). There was a
disagreement between Grecian Jews and the Hebrews (Acts 6:1). Who were these
people?
Because
of this, it is important to familiar with the changes during the
inter-testament period (i.e. 400 silent years). Below chart illustrated the
significant changes in the holy land during the four hundred silent years.
(Source:
Jensen's Survey of the Old Testament, Chicago: Moody Press, 1978
Edition, p. 42, by Irving L. Jensen)
The
Holy Land, Before and After the 400 Silent Years
In chapters two and three, our task is to investigate the
historical events of the Inter-testament period and New Testament period and
their effects on the writings included in the New Testament canon.
2B Relationship Between the Old Testament, 400 Silent
Years and the New Testament
All the years before Christ, beginning with the time of Adam
and Eve, looked forward to His appearance on the earthly scene. That was the
pre-Christian era. Let us now focus on the two immediate pre-Christian settings
of the New Testament, namely the Old Testament and the four hundred silent
years.
Relationship
Between the Old Testament, 400 Silent Years And the New Testament
The
Old Testament is promise and expectation, the New Testament is fulfillment and
completion. Below table illustrated the relationship between them.
Relationship
Between the Old Testament And the New Testament History
|
Old
Testament History
|
New
Testament History
|
|
foreshadow
|
fulfillment
|
|
Promise
|
performance
|
|
Problem
|
solution
|
|
commencement
|
consummation
|
3B The End of the
Old Testament
The
Old Testament recorded the spiritual failures of the nation of Israel. Israel
repeatedly violated the commands of God until God disciplined His people by
sending them into Babylonian captivity. After seventy years in captivity, God
allowed His people to return to their land and to function as a nation again.
Men like Ezra, Nehemiah, Haggai, and Malachi were instrumental in this return
and restoration. However, as the Old Testament came to a close with the
historical hook of Nehemiah and the prophetic book of Malachi, once again the
spiritual life of Israel began to deteriorate. God's final word, through the
prophet Malachi, was primarily a rebuke fur Israel's sinfulness. But included
in that message was the promise that the Lord and His messenger would someday
come (Malachi 3:1; 4:5-6). That promise would not be fulfilled for about four
hundred years, when John the Baptist (the messenger) would announce the coming
of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The
Old Testament is promise and expectation, the New Testament is fulfillment and
completion. Below table illustrated the relationship between them.
Relationship
Between the Old Testament And the New Testament History
3B The End of the
Old Testament
The
Old Testament recorded the spiritual failures of the nation of Israel. Israel
repeatedly violated the commands of God until God disciplined His people by
sending them into Babylonian captivity. After seventy years in captivity, God
allowed His people to return to their land and to function as a nation again.
Men like Ezra, Nehemiah, Haggai, and Malachi were instrumental in this return
and restoration. However, as the Old Testament came to a close with the
historical hook of Nehemiah and the prophetic book of Malachi, once again the
spiritual life of Israel began to deteriorate. God's final word, through the
prophet Malachi, was primarily a rebuke fur Israel's sinfulness. But included
in that message was the promise that the Lord and His messenger would someday
come (Malachi 3:1; 4:5-6). That promise would not be fulfilled for about four
hundred years, when John the Baptist (the messenger) would announce the coming
of the Lord Jesus Christ.
| ||||||||||
THE STUDY OF THE LIFE AND MINISTRY OF JESUS CHRIST
THE STUDY OF THE BOOK OF LUKE 42.4
"There
lived a wise man if, we can call him a man - named Jesus.
A wonder worker and a teacher of those who search after truth, he attracted
crowds of both Jews and 'Gentiles. He was the 'Christ. Nevertheless, Pilate, at
the urging of our leaders, sentenced him to death on the 'cross. His disciples
remained faithful, however, and after three days he appeared to them alive.
This and many other marvelous things had been foretold about
him by the prophets. The Christian sect, named after him, still flourishes to
this day." -Flavius Josephus (1st Century AD.)[i]
MARCH 11,2012
Charles e Whisnant
+
"There lived a wise man if, we can call him a man
- named Jesus.
A wonder worker and a teacher of those who search after truth, he attracted
crowds of both Jews and 'Gentiles. He was the 'Christ. Nevertheless, Pilate, at
the urging of our leaders, sentenced him to death on the 'cross. His disciples
remained faithful, however, and after three days he appeared to them alive.
This and many other marvelous things had been foretold about
him by the prophets. The Christian sect, named after him, still flourishes to
this day." -Flavius Josephus (1st Century AD.)
