Week Four - Summer Reading Challenge 2024

G. THE EXILIC PERIOD 587-538 B.C.

People in humiliation. Some rejected YAHWEH altogether, for he seemed to have no power. Some accepted that YAHWEH had actually done it, but complained (Ezh.18). Some others accepted it as a just punishment from YAHWEH upon their sins Ezh.37.

EZEKIEL prophesied during the exilic period. He insisted that exile was divine judgment. But also, because of His promise the punishment would be limited. There was hope. There will be restoration. Prophecies found in Deutero-Isaiah (Isaiah 40-55) also belong to this period.

Other achievements of the exile:

i) Literacy. Bereft of Temple and sacrifices, people turned more and more to the scriptures in search of GOD. The editing of many OT books, and the shaping of the canon probably took place at this time. That will have included the books of the 'Deuteronomistic history' and the final shaping of the Pentateuch.

ii) Synagogue worship originated during this period, because of the loss of the Temple, and it became a part of Jewish worship system ever since.

H. THE RESTORATION : POST EXILIC PERIOD 538-400 B.C. EZRA - NEHEMIAH

539 B.C. Cyrus captures Babylon: Medo-Persian empire replaces Babylonian empire.

538 B.C. Edict of Cyrus. Ezra 1:1-4; 6:3-5. In this edict he gave liberty to many captive people to return to their native land, within the sovereignty of the Persian empire.

Return of many Jews to Jerusalem, under the leadership of Sheshbazzar. They started building the temple but had to stop continuing it.

520-515 Rebuilding of the Temple. Started again under Zerubbabel. Completed in 515 B.C.

Prophets HAGGAI & ZACHARIAH prophesied c.520 B.C.

HAGGAI asked the people to complete the temple, and give GOD the first place.

ZACHARIAH also had his share in encouraging the people in the work of the temple. A great wealth of Messianic prophecies consisted in his message called for genuine repentance and cleansing.

Nothing is known of the fortunes of the Jewish community in Judah from about 515-460. But it seems they became increasingly disillusioned and depressed by the apparent failure of the hopes raised by Haggai and Zechariah.

MALACHI prophesied probably around 460-450 B.C. The book of Malachi reflects the life of Jewish community in 5th cent. B.C. Concern over the poor sacrifices, the spread of divorce and the failure of the people to honour GOD in practical life. The situation got even worse and was redeemed only by the combined effort of EZRA & NEHEMIAH in the mid-late 5th cent.

There is a debate about the order of the ministries of Ezra and Nehemiah. John Bright places Nehemiah first and Ezra second. But it looks more natural that Ezra came first because of the time reference in Ez. 7: 7.

EZRA: Came to Jerusalem in 458 B.C. (7th year of Artaxerxes, Ez.7:7). Administered justice and taught the Law. His ministry overlaps with Nehemiah's (Neh.ch.8)

NEHEMIAH: In 445 B.C. (20th year of Artaxerxes, Neh.2:1), returned to Jerusalem as Governor. Led some Jews along with and finished the work of the walls in 52 days. This gave people physical safety and a sense of dignity. He gave political support for the religious reforms of Ezra for he was Persian governor with authority. To solve the problem of debt and poverty he introduced social and economic reforms. He also enforced obedience to the Law, especially over the observance of Sabbath and the mixed marriage problem.

Nehemiah's first term continued to 433 B.C. He enjoyed a second term of office at a later date, which is not certain.

STORY BETWEEN THE TWO TESTAMENTS

The latest narrative books of the Old Testament tell us about the period when Judea formed part of the Persian Empire. The last monarch mentioned is 'Darius the Persian' (Neh.12:22), probably Darius III (336-331 B.C.), the last king of Persia. But as we open the NT, we come across another world power dominating the whole Mediterranean area. NT writings are set in the context of the Roman Empire. What all happened between these two stages?

A.PERSIAN - GREEK - ROMAN :

POLITICAL HISTORY

Persian Empire was the superpower at the end of the story in the Old Tesrtament. But it did not last long after that time. Alexander the Great, king of Macedonia, led an invading army of Macedonians and Greeks into Asia 334 B.C. In three years he had conquered the whole persian empire, including Egypt. He inflicted successive defeats on the Persians at the battles of Gravicers (334 B.C.). Issus (334 B.C.), and Arbela (331 B.C.). So Greek Empire was established.

When Alexander died in 323 B.C., his leading generals divided the empire into four parts of which two are important for New Testament historical background, the Ptolemaic and Seleucid. The Ptolemaic empire was centered in Egypt, Alexandria being its capital. Rulers were called the Ptolemies. Cleopatra, died in 30 B.C., was the last of the Ptolemaic dynasty. The Seleucid Empire centered in Syria, Antioch being its capital. Some of its rules were named Seleucus and others Antiochus. When Pompey made Syria a Roman province in 64 B.C. the Seleucid Empire came to an end.

Both the Ptolemies and Seleucides wanted dominion over Palestine. At first the Ptolemies dominated it for 122 years (320-198 B.C.) Jews fared well during this period. Tradition says under Ptolemy Philadelphus (285-246 B.C.) Seventy two Jewish Scholars translated the Hebrew Old Testament into a Greek version called Septuagint. Seleucid attempt to gain Palestine was succeeded in 198 B.C. when Antiochus III defeated Egypt in 198 B.C. Among the Jews two groups developed. "The House of Onias" (Pro-Ptolemaic) and "The House of Tobias" (Pro-Seleucid). In 167 BC Seleucid King Antiochus IV or Epiphanes (175-163 BC) set up a statue of Zeus (the supreme GOD of the Greeks) right in the temple in Jerusalem. This sparked off a major revolt. This revolt of Jews under Judas Maccabeus, known as Maccabean revolt, lasted for two years (166-164 BC). After the death of Judas Maccabeus in 160 BC, his brothers continued the war and Judah engaged certain political and religious freedom from 142 to 37 BC. During this time Judah was under Hasmonean dynasty. Hasmoneans is the name given to the family of Judas Maccabeus, Harmon being the great Grand father Mattathias, Judas' father.

During this time Rome was emerging as super power. Julius Caesar had established himself as the leader of Roman world. Pompey, the General of Roman army made Syria a part of Roman province in 64 BC, putting an end to Seleucid dynasty. Julius Caesar was assassinated in 44 B.C. His son Octavian, later known as Agustus, defeated Cleopatra at Actim, Greece (31 BC). So Ptolemaic reign also came to an end. Octavian became the undisputed master of the Roman World and Roman Empire was established.

Augustus set up a provincial system of Govt. And the Romans allowed native vassal rulers in Palestine. So Herod the Great ruled the country under the Romans 37 -4 BC. JESUS was born probably in 5 BC. After Herod's death, his sons ruled separate parts of Palestine under Romans.

B. JUDAISM OF INTERTESTAMENTAL PERIOD

Exile was punishment for idolatrous practices by the people of Israel. Exile permanently cured them of idolatry. The Temporary loss of temple during the exile gave rise to establishment of the synagogue as an institution. Synagogue was a place of worship meant for study of the law, religious instruction and prayer. The leaders in a synagogue were commoners or laymen. Generally schools for religious education for boys were attached to the synagogue. The Scribes and the rabbis entered their teaching activity around the synagogues. Sanhedrin (from Greek word synedrion, meaning “council”) was another religious institution that developed during this period. This was composed of seventy-one members, centered in Jerusalem and was presided over by the high priest. The Sanhedrin exercised both legislative and judicial power in religious and, to some extent, civil matters.

We have already made a mention about Septuagint. Targums were another development. They were oral translations of the OT into Aramaic, which were written later. Many apocryphal books (apocrypha meant 'hidden, Secret' and come to mean non-canonical) were also written. Pseudepigraphe ("Falsely inscribed") carried the names of long-deceased OT figures. Some pseudepigraphal writings also fall into the class of apocalyptic literature. Apocalypses means "unveiling, revealing", here with reference to the true course of history and especially to future events. Highly symbolic and visionary language is used in Apocalyptic writing. Apocalyptists wanted to encourage the Jewish people to endure persecution by promising the early arrival of the messianic kingdom.

From Ezra's time a special group - the scribes (Rabbis) devoted themselves to the study of and the exposition of the law. Pharisees, "separated ones" were keen to add many minute rules to the law in order keep it meticulously. It became a form of legalism, a burden instead of liberating one as it was meant to do. Sadducees were another group which did not subscribe to the belief in resurrection and who were drawn from the wealthy class.

Hellenistic Judaism was the result of the influence of Greek culture on Judaism. Greek culture is called 'Hellenism').

The main characteristics of the age were:

i) Devotion to the law. This became the mark of faithful Jews.

ii) Messianic hope. This was developed in the context of suffering. Jews looked forward for a person who would come and act on behalf of GOD. Messiah, Elijah, the Son of Man, a new David, etc. were among the figures of their expectation.