Isaiah Yshayah Salvation is of the Lord Prophet

Isaiah (Y’sha’yah … “Salvation is of the Lord”) Prophet of Judah 8 th cent BCE “The ox knows its owner, and the ass its master's crib; but Israel does not know, my people does not understand. ”

Isaiah – in context • United Kingdom only under Saul, David, Solomon ~1000 BCE. Kingdom split during reign of Rehoboam. • Northern Kingdom of Israel conquered by Assyrians in 722 BCE. – Ten tribes taken into exile … never to return. (2 Kings 17: 6) • Tribes of Judah and Benjamin remain as the Southern Kingdom (Judah, Judea) until they are conquered by the Babylonians in 586 BCE. (Temple destroyed) Isaiah (8 th cent BCE) … • Active during reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah, and possibly Manasseh. (60+ years) • Affected by conquest and loss of the Northern Kingdom … Israel (722 BCE) • A message directed toward the Southern Kingdom of Judah.

Isaiah – in historical context • Israel (Northern Kingdom) and Judah (Southern Kingdom) enjoy prosperity. • 745 BCE … beginning of the ascendancy of the Assyrian empire under Tiglath-pileser III. – Israel threatened. • 734 BCE Israel joins in an anti-Assyrian alliance. King Ahaz of Judah refuses to join. – The alliance attacks Judah to overthrow King Ahaz! – Territory of Judah devastated … Jerusalem under siege. – King Ahaz appeals to Assyria. “So Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria, saying: ‘I am thy servant and thy son; come up, and save me out of the hand of the king of Aram, and out of the hand of the king of Israel, who rise up against me. ’

Isaiah – in historical context And Ahaz took the silver and gold that was found in the house of Ha. Shem, and in the treasures of the king's house, and sent it for a present to the king of Assyria. ” (II Kings 16: 7 -8) “To rely on God rather than on weapons would have been to subordinate political wisdom to faith. ” (Abraham Heschel) – Political “wisdom” would end in the conquest of the Northern Kingdom … Israel … and the eventual destruction of Judah, Jerusalem and the Temple. • Anti-Assyrian alliance defeated and parts of Galilee conquered by Assyria in 732 BCE. Northern Kingdom now a weak vassal state. – Judah spared.

Isaiah – in historical context • In Jerusalem … Ahaz “We have made a covenant with death, and with the nether-world are we at agreement; when the scouring scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us; for we have made lies our refuge, and in falsehood have we hid ourselves. ” (Isaiah 28: 15) • Ahaz dies and his son Hezekiah becomes king ~ 728 BCE. – Temple and liturgical reform. “He trusted in Ha. Shem, the G-d of Israel; so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor among them that were before him. For he cleaved to Ha. Shem, he departed not from following Him, but kept His commandments, which Ha. Shem commanded Moses. ” (II Kings 18: 5)

Isaiah – in historical context • Tiglath-pileser dies ~ 727 BCE … Northern Kingdom forms an alliance with Egypt … stops paying tribute to Assyria. • Assyria invades … all of Israel conquered in 722 BCE … population forced into exile … ten tribes of Israel disappear. – The judgment of Judah was inevitable. • ~ 720 BCE Egypt begins forming an alliance with Assyrian vassal states in an anti-Assyrian alliance. – King Hezekiah refuses to join.

Assyrian Empire ~ 721 BCE

Isaiah – in historical context • A new king and empire begins to form in the north as a counter to Assyria … Babylon. – A new anti-Assyrian coalition forms … King Hezekiah becomes an important leader. • Assyria invades Judah ~705 BCE … captures 46 Judean towns … Jerusalem is spared. – Judah now pays tribute to Assyria. • Babylon will supersede Assyria as the threat from the north and conquer Judah in 586 BCE. – Jerusalem and Temple destroyed.

Babylonian Empire

Isaiah – in context • In the crisis of 734 BCE, Isaiah warned king Ahaz of Israel not to make an alliance with Assyria against Judah. – Ahaz angrily rejects Isaiah’s words. • In 701 BCE, Isaiah warned king Hezekiah not to seek aid from Egypt against Assyria. – Hezekiah does not have the moral strength to respond. Isaiah’s hope becomes that some future king, a Messiah, would recognize and obey the sovereignty of God.

The Book of Isaiah A large book (66 chapters): Book of Oracles and Judgment (~ chapters 1 -39) … (- 25 -27) • Judah will be judged by the power of God. – The covenant cannot protect when it is broken by acts of idolatry, and acts of injustice. • Prophecies of a coming messiah. – Justice and righteousness will reign. The Book of Comfort (chapter 40 - 55) … • Deliverance of Jews from the Babylonians – Restoration of a Jewish nation. • Future glories foretold. – The book ends with a message of hope of a righteous ruler who extends salvation to his righteous subjects living in the Lord’s kingdom on earth.

The Book of Isaiah Back in Judah (chapter 56 -66) • From threat of Divine punishment (chaps 1 -39), to the promise of return and redemption (chaps 40 -55). • The Temple is now being rebuilt, exiles are returning to Jerusalem. • Perhaps this isn’t … the final restoration. Isaiah … and the prophets contemporary with Isaiah … speak directly to the political developments of the time … to the kings … and their foolishness in not placing their trust in God.

The Book of Isaiah Most scripture scholars argue that the “Book of Isaiah” is actually a composite document written over a period of approximately 200 years. “While Isaiah lived in the 8 th century B. C. E. , most Bible scholars assume that chapters 40 -66 (or at least 40 -55) were written some two centuries later, after the destruction of the Temple in 586 B. C. E. The author of later chapters is commonly referred to by Bible scholars as the Second Isaiah. ” (Rabbi Joseph Telushkin) Today … many consider chapters 56 -66 to be a “Third Isaiah. ” Post-exilic disappointment. Chapters 25 - 27 may be considered a later addition … a “Fourth Isaiah. ”

Textual Requirements from the scriptures

Expectation “And I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counselors as at the beginning; afterward thou shalt be called The city of righteousness, the faithful city. Zion shall be redeemed with justice, and they that return of her with righteousness. ” (1: 26 -27) – Murdering, idolatrous leaders will be replaced by righteous leaders. – Judges and counselors rather than kings … probably not. (Probably in response to Assyrian invasion of 701 BCE … when King Hezekiah rejected counsel of Isaiah. ) – Only then can Jerusalem be redeemed “with justice” … and the nation return to a state of righteousness.

Expectation “And it shall come to pass in the end of days, that the mountain of Ha. Shem'S house shall be established as the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many peoples shall go and say: ‘Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of Ha. Shem, to the house of the G-d of Jacob; and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths. ’ For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of Ha. Shem from Jerusalem. And He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. ” These verses are identical with Micah 4: 1 -3 “O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of Ha. Shem. ” (2: 2 -5)

Expectation “In the end of days” or “In days to come” or “In the latter days” … Beyond the days of Isaiah … “I saw” … really … had a vision … Nations (peoples) will come to Jerusalem to be taught by God. – “He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths. ” (This time people … will obey. ) Before … we want to be like all the other nations. Now … all the other nations want to be like us. If Israel repents … turns to the God of the Covenant … as the light of the world … the first fruits … then the world will be cured. “O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of Ha. Shem. ” (2: 5)

Expectation - Ezekial “Behold, it cometh, and it shall be done, saith the L-rd GOD; This is the day whereof I have spoken. And they that dwell in the cities of Israel shall go forth, and shall make fires of the weapons and use them as fuel, both the shields and the bucklers, the bows and the arrows, and the hand-staves, and the spears, and they shall make fires of them seven years; so that they shall take no wood out of the field, neither cut down any out of the forests, for they shall make fires of the weapons … saith the L-rd GOD. (Ezekial 39: 8 -10) An expectation of the end of war … not of victorious kings.

Expectation “And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be brought low; and Ha. Shem alone shall be exalted in that day. And the idols shall utterly pass away. ” (Isaiah 2: 17 -18) All that is exalted by mankind will be brought low. The arrogance of man in thinking that all of his accomplishments are of his own doing will cease. Mankind will assume its proper place … and perspective. (Mankind will no longer treat itself as an idol. ) God will be exalted … but even more importantly … his statutes will be obeyed. When mankind begins to obey … the messianic age will be realized.

Expectation “And there shall come forth a shoot out of the stock of Jesse, and a twig shall grow forth out of his roots. And the spirit of Ha. Shem shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of Ha. Shem. And his delight shall be in the fear of Ha. Shem; and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither decide after the hearing of his ears; But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the land; and he shall smite the land with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins. ” (11: 1 -5) From David … but really not like David. – Spirit of … wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, fear of God. – God working through him … – The enemies of God will be defeated with his words … not with weapons

Expectation “And the wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear feed; their young ones shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the basilisk's den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of Ha. Shem, as the waters cover the sea. ” (11: 6 -9) A change in reality … – Not a Davidic restoration … but a return to the way the world was before sin … in the garden … how creation was when God said it was “very good. ” – But … with Jerusalem … Temple …

Expectation “And it shall come to pass in that day, that the root of Jesse, that standeth for an ensign of the peoples, unto him shall the nations seek; and his resting-place shall be glorious. And it shall come to pass in that day, that the L-rd will set His hand again the second time to recover the remnant of His people, that shall remain from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea. And He will set up an ensign for the nations, and will assemble the dispersed of Israel, and gather together the scattered of Judah from the four corners of the earth. The envy also of Ephraim shall depart, and they that harass Judah shall be cut off; Ephraim shall not envy Judah, and Judah shall not vex Ephraim. ” (11: 10 -13) All Jews of the various Diaspora … exiles … will return. (The land is also in covenant. ) Not restorative … as in the time of Judges and Kings … no competition … envy … conflict.

Expectation “And thy sisters, Sodom and her daughters, shall return to their former estate, and Samaria and her daughters shall return to their former estate, and thou and thy daughters shall return to your former estate. ” (Ezekial 16: 55) Ezekial was actually carried off in the Babylonian exile. – Jerusalem will be destroyed … Temple destroyed … but will be rebuilt. This restoration will restore all … – Sodom … from its destruction … – “ … fulness of bread, and careless ease was in her and in her daughters; neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. (Ezekial 16: 49) – Samaria … Northern Kingdom from its idolatry … and foolishness. – And you … Judah … will be restored.

Ezekial – The Dry Bones “Then He said unto me: ‘Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel; behold, they say: Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are clean cut off. Therefore prophesy, and say unto them: Thus saith the L-rd GOD: Behold, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, O My people; and I will bring you into the land of Israel. And ye shall know that I am Ha. Shem, when I have opened your graves, and caused you to come up out of your graves, O My people. And I will put My spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I will place you in your own land; and ye shall know that I Ha. Shem have spoken, and performed it, saith Ha. Shem. ’” (Ezekial 37: 11 -14) Post-Exilic return … ? ? ? State of Israel … ? ? ? End of Days … ? ? ?

Expectation “And in this mountain will Ha. Shem of hosts make unto all peoples a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined. And He will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering that is cast over all peoples, and the veil that is spread over all nations. He will swallow up death for ever; and the L-rd GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the reproach of His people will He take away from off all the earth; for Ha. Shem hath spoken it. And it shall be said in that day: ‘Lo, this is our G-d, for whom we waited, that He might save us; this is Ha. Shem, for whom we waited, we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation. ’” (25: 6 -9) All people enjoy the fruits of salvation … a salvific banquet. No death … no tears … no reproach.

Expectation “He will swallow up death for ever; and the L-rd GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces …” (Isaiah 25: 8) “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more …” (Rev 21: 4)

Expectation Judah will be punished … The people will cry out for relief … “Like as a woman with child, that draweth near the time of her delivery, is in pain and crieth out in her pangs; so have we been at Thy presence, O Ha. Shem. We have been with child, we have been in pain, we have as it were brought forth wind; we have not wrought any deliverance in the land; neither are the inhabitants of the world come to life. ” (26: 17 -18) “Thy dead shall live, my dead bodies shall arise - awake and sing, ye that dwell in the dust - for Thy dew is as the dew of light, and the earth shall bring to life the shades. ” (26: 19) Nothing the people have done has seemed to work … But … resurrection … to glory … or to judgment ? ? ?

Expectation “My salvation is gone forth, and Mine arms shall judge the peoples … Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath; for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner; but My salvation shall be for ever, and My favour shall not be abolished. Hearken unto Me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is My law; fear ye not the taunt of men, neither be ye dismayed at their revilings. For the moth shall eat them up like a garment, and the worm shall eat them like wool; but My favour shall be for ever, and My salvation unto all generations. ” “And the ransomed of Ha. Shem shall return, and come with singing unto Zion, and everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. ” (51: 11) Judgment

Expectation “Therefore My people shall know My name; therefore they shall know in that day that I, even He that spoke, behold, here I am. How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger of good tidings, that announceth peace, the harbinger of good tidings, that announceth salvation; that saith unto Zion: ‘Thy G-d reigneth!’” (52: 6 -7) A messenger shall announce that …God will return to his people … like a victorious king. An apocalyptic ending … The people have failed … again and again … but God will not let his people be lost.

Expectation “Behold, My servant shall prosper, he shall be exalted and lifted up, and shall be very high. According as many were appalled at thee - so marred was his visage unlike that of a man, and his form unlike that of the sons of men - So shall he startle many nations, kings shall shut their mouths because of him; for that which had not been told them shall they see, and that which they had not heard shall they perceive. ” (52: 13 -15) The Fourth Servant Song … – An individual … with a divine commission … – Elijah … Jeremiah … Jesus – Israel … a light to other nations … – A faithful remnant of Israel … that will bring the people back to God …

The Suffering Servant “For he shot up right forth as a sapling, and as a root out of a dry ground; he had no form nor comeliness, that we should look upon him, nor beauty that we should delight in him. He was despised, and forsaken of men, a man of pains, and acquainted with disease, and as one from whom men hide their face: he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely our diseases he did bear, and our pains he carried; whereas we did esteem him stricken, smitten of G-d, and afflicted. But he was wounded because of our transgressions, he was crushed because of our iniquities: the chastisement of our welfare was upon him, and with his stripes we were healed. All we like sheep did go astray, we turned every one to his own way; and Ha. Shem hath made to light on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, though he humbled himself and opened not his mouth; as a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and as a sheep that before her shearers is dumb; yea, he opened not his mouth. ” (53: 2 -7)

The Suffering Servant “By oppression and judgment he was taken away, and with his generation who did reason? for he was cut off out of the land of the living, for the transgression of my people to whom the stroke was due. And they made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich his tomb; although he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. ‘ Yet it pleased Ha. Shem to crush him by disease; to see if his soul would offer itself in restitution, that he might see his seed, prolong his days, and that the purpose of Ha. Shem might prosper by his hand: Of the travail of his soul he shall see to the full, even My servant, who by his knowledge did justify the Righteous One to the many, and their iniquities he did bear. Therefore will I divide him a portion among the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the mighty; because he bared his soul unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. ” (53: 8 -12)

The Suffering Servant “Now there was an Ethiopian eunuch … He had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning home; seated in his chariot, he was reading the prophet Isaiah. So Philip ran up to it and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah. He asked, ‘Do you understand what you are reading? ’ He replied, ‘How can I, unless someone guides me? ’ Now the passage of the scripture that he was reading was this: ‘Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter, and like a lamb silent before its shearer, so he does not open his mouth. In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken away from the earth. ’ The eunuch asked Philip, ‘About whom, may I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else? ’ Then Philip began to speak, and starting with this scripture, he proclaimed to him the good news about Jesus. (Acts 8: 26 -34) “… as a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and as a sheep that before her shearers is dumb; yea, he opened not his mouth. ” By oppression and judgment he was taken away, and with his generation who did reason? for he was cut off out of the land of the living, for the transgression of my people to whom the stroke was due. ” (JPS 1917 Isaiah 53: 7 -8)

The Suffering Servant “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps. ‘He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth. ’ When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls. (1 Peter 2: 21 -25) --------------“… with his stripes we were healed. (JPS 1917 Isaiah 53: 5) “All we like sheep did go astray …” (JPS 1917 Isaiah 53: 6) “… he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. ” (JPS 1917 Isaiah 53: 9)

The Suffering Servant Jewish perspective: The Jewish people are the suffering servant … The Jewish people have suffered through the gentile nations. Yet in spite of all the troubles that befell the Jewish people throughout their history, there always existed a righteous remnant that stayed loyal to God. The messiah … to the world … is “corporate Israel. ” – Restore Israel … – “Light” … “first fruits” to the world. Israel is the suffering servant of the Lord. – “In Israel’s agony, all nations are involved. Israel’s suffering is not a penalty, but a privilege, a sacrifice; its endurance is a ritual, its meaning is to be disclosed to all men in the hour of Israel’s redemption. ” (Abraham Heschel)

Ezekial - Servant “I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplication; and they shall look unto Me because they have thrust him through; and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his first-born. ” (Zechariah 12: 10) To Christians … Jesus To Jews … Israel

Expectation “But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith Ha. Shem, I will put My law in their inward parts, and in their heart will I write it; and I will be their G-d, and they shall be My people; and they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying: ‘Know Ha. Shem’; for they shall know Me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith Ha. Shem; for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin will I remember no more. ” (Jeremiah 31: 31) When the law is practiced from the hearts of the people … then … – … I will be their God … – … every man a brother … – … sins will be no more

For All “Neither let the alien, that hath joined himself to Ha. Shem, speak, saying: ‘The Ha. Shem will surely separate me from His people’; neither let the eunuch say: ‘Behold, I am a dry tree. ’ For thus saith Ha. Shem concerning the eunuchs that keep My sabbaths, and choose things that please Me, and hold fast by My covenant: Even unto them will I give in My house and within My walls a monument and a memorial better than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting memorial, that shall not be cut off. Also the aliens, that join themselves to Ha. Shem, to minister unto Him, and to love the name of Ha. Shem, to be His servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from profaning it, and holdeth fast by My covenant: Even them will I bring to My holy mountain, and make them joyful in My house of prayer; their burnt-offerings and their sacrifices shall be acceptable upon Mine altar; for My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples. Saith the L-rd GOD who gathereth the dispersed of Israel: yet I will gather others to him, beside those of him that are gathered. ” (56: 3 -8) Salvation for all the peoples …

The Kingdom “For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former things shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. But be glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create; for, behold, I create Jerusalem rejoicing, and her people a joy. And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in My people; and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying. ” Isaiah 65: 17 -19 “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God … And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them; they will be his people, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away. ’ Revelation 21: 1 -4

Expectation “For Ha. Shem hath comforted Zion; He hath comforted all her waste places, and hath made her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of Ha. Shem; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody. ” (Isaiah 51: 3) “Behold, the days come, saith Ha. Shem, that the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him that soweth seed; and the mountains shall drop sweet wine, and all the hills shall melt. And I will turn the captivity of My people Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them. And I will plant them upon their land, and they shall no more be plucked up out of their land which I have given them, saith Ha. Shem thy G-d. ” (Amos 9: 13 -15) “And I will save you from all your uncleannesses; and I will call for the corn, and will increase it, and lay no famine upon you. And I will multiply the fruit of the tree, and the increase of the field, that ye may receive no more the reproach of famine among the nations. ” (Ezekial 36: 29 -30)

Expectation Messianic Expectation Restorative Utopian • Davidic Kingdom • Defeat Israel’s enemies • Israel prosperous & secure Real Ideal • Peace • Death and tears … no more • Ethical/ Just people • All worship God of Israel • Wolf dwells with lamb • All nations come to Jerusalem

Messianic Expectation Development Restorative Rstorat Utopian Real Utopian Ideal Davidic Early Prophets Post-exile

Post Biblical Developments The Maccabean Revolt

Background To Conflict Alexander the Great conquers the area … 334 - 332 BCE. Alexander dies in 323 BCE • Empire divided among generals – Seleucus … Antioch, Syria – Ptolemy … Alexandria, Egypt Eventually these cities become more Greek than Greece, Hellenism spreads. Judea becomes a buffer between the two states. • Many Jews take up the Greek culture. – Hasideans (Pious), later Pharisees, are pietist holdouts. Judea comes under Seleucid control in 223 BCE. Antiochus III, 198 BCE, issues decrees favorable to the Jews.

Background To Conflict Antiochus IV (Epiphanes) becomes Seleucid emperor in ~ 175 BCE. • “The Magnificent” to his friends … “The Mad” to his enemies. • Claims to be the manifestation of Zeus. • Desires to fully Hellenize (Hellenizo … to make Greek) the empire. Onias, the chief priest in Jerusalem, strongly resists this Hellenization. Antiochus IV attacks Ptolemys in Egypt in ~169 BCE. • He is reported killed in battle … Jews in Judea celebrate. • On his withdrawal from Egypt Antiochus sacks Jerusalem and plunders the Temple.

Background To Conflict Jason (Joshua) offers Antiochus IV money for high priesthood. (2 Macc 4: 7 -9) • Successfully bought the office of high priest, supports Hellenization. (1 Macc 1: 13 -15, 2 Macc 4: 10 -15) • Established a gymnasium in Jerusalem. (2 Macc 4: 18 -20) Three years later, Menelaus buys the priesthood. • Steals Temple vessels to pay for bribe. (2 Macc 4: 27 -32) When Onias protests these actions, he is assassinated. (2 Macc 4: 33 -38) Pietist Jews, Hellenized Jews, and Greeks are appalled by this action. (2 Macc 4: 35) Even under Menelaus, Antiochus does not feel that Hellenization is proceeding quickly enough.

Religious Persecution Sanctions are imposed and a Seleucid garrison is placed in Jerusalem. (1 Macc 1: 41 -64, 2 Macc 6: 1 -11) • copies of the law to be destroyed. (1 Macc 1: 56) • circumcision of children forbidden. (1 Macc 1: 60, 2 Macc 6: 10) • Sabbath outlawed. (2 Macc 6: 6) • pagan altars established. (1 Macc 1: 54) • Jews forced to eat swine. (1 Macc 1: 62) • altar to Zeus placed in temple. (2 Macc 6: 2) Violations punishable by death. The Temple is plundered. (2 Macc 5: 15 -21)

Victory … but Judas Maccabeus “the hammer, ” the son of a priest leads a revolt against the Seleucids and defeats them. – In 165 BCE, Judas establishes control over Jerusalem. – The Temple is reconsecrated … feast of Hanukkah. – A Hasmonean dynasty is established which lasts until conquest by Rome in 63 BCE. House of Hasmoneans … quickly became corrupt. – Recognized by Rome … 139 BCE. – King and high priesthood … often combined. When John Hyrcanus (135 -104 BCE) died … his wife took over the government and his son became high priest. His son was not satisfied with this … had his mother put into prison where she was starved to death … and then he assumed both kingship and high priesthood. After a year he died a painful death …

Hasmoneans A civil war ensued within the House of the Hasmoneans until the Romans had enough … – Area conquered and occupied in 63 BCE. Because the Hasmoneans were neither from the Davidic line or the priestly line of Jews … there were many pietist Jews who never accepted the Hasmoneans as either legitimate kings or priests … – Essenes … – Herod …

Extra-Biblical… Post Biblical Texts Book of Enoch (1 st - 2 nd cent BCE) • A pseudepigraphic work ascribed to Enoch … the great-grandfather of Noah. • Fragments of Enoch found at Qumran … Dead Sea Scrolls. – Book of Parables … • Pre-existant “Son of Man” who sits next to the throne of “The Ancient of Days. ” • A king who brings peace “at the conclusion of the world drama. ” Assumption of Moses • Midrash … Before his death … Moses asks God if he can speak with the Messiah. – Temple being rebuilt (by God) … Messiah with Torah scroll … Aaron in priestly robes. – Return of all Jews from Diaspora.

The Great Revolt Jews revolt against Roman occupiers in 66 CE. Zealots fight fellow Jews who do not want to participate in the uprising. – Many “moderate” Jewish leaders are killed. Generally, Pharisees do not support the uprising. – Galilee falls. – Jerusalem and Temple destroyed … 70 CE. – Masada holds out as a Zealot stronghold until 73 CE. Josephus Flavius writes “The Jewish Wars. ”

Yochanan ben Zakkai During the Jewish uprising of 66 -73 CE, Zealot leaders did not permit inhabitants of Jerusalem to leave the besieged city of Jerusalem. – – – A Pharisee, Yochanan is taken from the city pretending to be dead. Speaks to the Roman General Vespasian and predicts he will become Caesar … emperor. Vespasian grants one wish … “Give me Yavneh and its sages. ” “If you should happen to be holding a sapling in your hand when they tell you that the Messiah has arrived, first plant the sapling, and then go out and greet the Messiah. ” “More than any other figure, he must be credited with establishing a model of Judaism that could survive without a Temple, without sacrifices, and even without a state. ” (Rabbi Joseph Telushkin) “We have another atonement as effective as this … ‘acts of lovingkindness, as God says’ … ‘For I desire mercy, not sacrifice. ’” (Hosea 6: 6)

Bar Kokhba Rebellion Simon of Cozeba leads a revolt against Rome … 132 – 135 CE Rabbi Akiva declares Simon … the Messiah. . . and Bar Kokhba … “Son of the Star. ” – Other Rabbis ridicule the claim. – Thousands rally to the cause. – Galilee does not participate. Jews are crushed. – Rabbi Akiva executed. – Galilee becomes new center of Jewish life. • Mishna composed there a century later. – Half of Judea’s Jews perish. • Jews outnumbered in their own country. • Jews are forbidden in Jerusalem … which becomes Aelia Capitolina. • Temple to Jupiter erected.

Judah the Prince After the Great Revolt (66 -73 CE) and the Bar Kokhba Rebellion (132135 CE), so many scholars, teachers and students had been killed that Rabbi Judah felt that the details and intricacies of the “Oral Law” needed to be codified. – This was accomplished by Rabbi Judah ~ 200 CE … in the Mishna. • It is considered that Rabbi Judah “edited” the Oral Law since it had been taught and debated for centuries previous … simply not written down. • Minority views were often-times included. – The Mishna would be studied and formally commented on by rabbis for centuries resulting in the Palestinian Talmud ~ 400 CE and the Babylonian Talmud … 6 th cent CE. According to Isaiah Gafni, Judah was also considered a “Messiah” in the tradition of Moses.

Talmudic Interpretation developments of the Rabbinic period

The Talmud … – – “closed” by 600 CE “… a living tradition …” “… an intellectual enterprise for eternity …” “A commentary on the Mishnah” … begun end of 2 nd cent CE – Dialectical inquiry … propositions … counter arguments … points to make arguments. – Flow of argument … – Not a word study … an “idea study” … after the “Biblical Age. ”

The Talmud There are hundreds of references to the “glorious future” centered around the coming of the Moshiach and the messianic era. – The Rabbis do not agree on many of the details. Since the beginning of creation it was a part of God’s plan to send a Messiah. – From the beginning of the creation of the world king Messiah was born, for he entered the mind (of God) before even the world was created. ” “Israel has no Messiah since he already enjoyed him in the days of Hezekiah. ” (Rabbi Hillel, 4 th century CE) “Prepare a seat for Hezekiah, king of Judah, who is coming. ” (Yochanan ben Zakkai) Remember Hezekiah … king and liturgical reformer.

David “For the children of Israel shall sit solitary many days without king, and without prince, and without sacrifice, and without pillar, and without ephod or teraphim; afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek Ha. Shem their G-d, and David their king; and shall come trembling unto Ha. Shem and to His goodness in the end of days. ” (Hosea 3: 4 -5) – “The Rabbis declare, That is king Messiah” “If he is born from among the living, David is his name; and if he be from among the dead, David is his name. ” – David and “his seed. ” “Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it; and it is a time of trouble unto Jacob, but of it shall he be saved. And it shall come to pass in that day, saith Ha. Shem of hosts, that I will break his yoke from off thy neck, and will burst thy bands; and strangers shall no more make him their bondman; But they shall serve Ha. Shem their G-d, and David their king, whom I will raise up unto them. ” (Jeremiah 30: 7 -9)

His Name • Tzemach … the branch. • Manachem … the comforter. • Bar Naphle … son of the fallen “Do you call the Messiah son of the fallen? ” (Rabbi Issac) “I do, because it is written, ‘In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof, and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old’ …” (Amos 9: 11) (Rabbi Nachman) One like Hezekiah … David … son of Joseph …

When ? • On the principle that the night is darkest before the dawn, the Rabbis generally taught that the world would show signs of utter demoralization before the Messiah’s arrival … the conditions of life would be unbearable. – “Meeting places for study will be turned into brothels, the learning of the scribes will decay and sin-fearing men will be condemned. ” ------------- • “The son of David will only come in a generation which is wholly innocent or wholly guilty …” – “Thy people also shall be all righteous, they shall inherit the land for ever; the branch of My planting, the work of My hands, wherein I glory. ” (Isaiah 60: 21) – “And Ha. Shem saw it, and it displeased Him that there was no justice; And He saw that there was no man, and was astonished that there was no intercessor; therefore His own arm brought salvation unto Him; and His righteousness …” (Isaiah 59: 15 -16)

When ? • Although the time for the coming of the Messiah has been set, Israel can hasten his coming … – “Great is repentance because it brings Redemption near. ” – “… it depends on repentance and good deeds. ” – “If Israel repented a single day, immediately would the son of David come. ” – If Israel observed a single Sabbath properly, immediately would the son of David come. ” – “If Israel were to keep two Sabbaths according to the law, they would be redeemed forthwith. ”

When Messiah Comes • “The sun shall be no more thy light by day, neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee; but Ha. Shem shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy G-d thy glory. ” (Isaiah 60: 19) • “…the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God is its light …” (Revelation 21: 23) ------------- • “O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will set thy stones in fair colors, and lay thy foundations with sapphires. And I will make thy pinnacles of rubies, and thy gates of carbuncles, and all thy border of precious stones. ” (Isaiah 54: 11 -12) • “… the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God. It has the glory of God and a radiance like a very rare jewel, like jasper, clear as crystal. ” (Revelation 21: 10 -11) • “The foundations of the wall of the city are adorned with every jewel; the first was jasper, the second sapphire …” (Revelation 21: 19)

When Messiah Comes • “Arise, shine, for thy light is come, and the glory of Ha. Shem is risen upon thee. For, behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the peoples; but upon thee Ha. Shem will arise, and His glory shall be seen upon thee. And nations shall walk at thy light, and kings at the brightness of thy rising. Lift Up thine eyes round about, and see: they all are gathered together, and come to thee; thy sons come from far, and thy daughters are borne on the side. ” (Isaiah 60: 1 -4) • “The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it. Its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there. People will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations. ” (Revelation 21: 24 -26)

When Messiah Comes • “And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in My people; and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying. ” (Isaiah 60: 1 -4) • “He will swallow up death for ever; and the L-rd GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces …” (Isaiah 25: 8) • “He will rebuild the Temple and cause his Shechinah to abide there. ” ------------------ • “See, the tabernacle of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away. ’” (Revelation 21: 3 -4)

When Messiah Comes • “And thy sisters, Sodom and her daughters, shall return to their former estate, and Samaria and her daughters shall return to their former estate, and thou and thy daughters shall return to your former estate. ” (Ezekial 16: 55) • “And the ransomed of Ha. Shem shall return, and come with singing unto Zion, and everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. ” (Isaiah 35: 10) • “And it shall come to pass in that day, that a great horn shall be blown; and they shall come that were lost in the land of Assyria, and they that were dispersed in the land of Egypt; and they shall worship Ha. Shem in the holy mountain at Jerusalem. ” (Isaiah 27: 13) “Great will be the day when the exiles of Israel will be reassembled as the day when heaven and earth were created. ”

Messianic Kingdom “Many Rabbis believed that the period of the Messiah was to be only a transitory stage between this world and the World to Come. ” • Messianism was seen as being fulfilled in two phases: – Restorative messianism A restoration of Israel, to include the return of Jews of the Diaspora, and the rebuilding of the Temple. An era of peace and justice. The “type” of return hoped for in the Babylonian captivity of the 6 th century BCE. – Utopian messianism Era of a “new reality. ” Reshaping of cosmic reality. The world to be purged of evil. All will come to know the One True God. Olam Ha-Ba … “life in the World to Come. ”

Expectation What is this expectation that is constantly spoken of as the hope of the people? • The return of the Jewish people from exile (Babylonian captivity) … 6 th cent BCE ? ? • Re-establishment of the state of Israel ? ? • The Messianic Kingdom ? ? • The Life of the World to Come (Olam Ha-Ba – Gan Eden) ? ? • Heaven ? ?

The Kingdom “For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former things shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. But be glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create; for, behold, I create Jerusalem rejoicing, and her people a joy. And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in My people; and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying. ” Isaiah 65: 17 -19 “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God … And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them; they will be his people, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away. ’ Revelation 21: 1 -4