Welcome to Day 2629 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Day 2629 – New Testament Orientation – The Culture and Cosmology of the Intertestamental Period

Putnam Church Message – 05/11/2025

Sermon Series: New Testament Orientation

Message 3: The Culture and Cosmology of the Intertestamental Period

 

Last week, we had a dramatic reading covering ‘The Story of the New Testament,’ with Romans 5:8-11 as our core verses. The story of the New Testament can be summed up in verse 11. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends with God.

Before we start today, I wanted to let you know that using the Hebrew name Yahweh for God and Yeshua for Jesus may have been somewhat confusing to some, as an attempt to put us into the mindset of an ancient Israelite. So today I will return to referring to the more familiar use of God and Jesus in the messages.

Today, we will step back into the intertestamental period between the Old and New Testaments and explore The Culture and Cosmology of the Intertestamental Period. Our core verses for today are Galatians 3:26-29. Let’s read that passage now: 26 For you are all children[a] of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes.[b] 28 There is no longer Jew or Gentile,[c] slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children[d] of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God’s promise to Abraham belongs to you.

As we continue our journey through understanding the New Testament, we’ve established what these writings are – inspired, authoritative, and written in the common tongue for all to hear. We’ve seen that the New Testament isn’t a new, separate story, but the glorious continuation and fulfillment of the ancient narrative of God’s dealings with His creation and His people, Israel, culminating in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, the Messiah, and His enthronement as Lord over all.

We must pause before we move forward to the scrolls to Matthew’s account of Jesus’ birth in two weeks. We need to understand the world into which Jesus came, the air people breathed, the ground they walked on, and the thoughts that filled their minds. What was their worldview? Think of it like preparing for a journey to a foreign land. You wouldn’t just arrive without knowing about the customs, the language, the history, and how people see the world there. To understand the New Testament message, we must first understand the culture and the cosmos of the time between the Old and New Testaments and the world of the first century.

Today, we have so much access to the Bible; we might even own several copies, but some people lack understanding. We read individual verses, perhaps finding comfort or challenge, but are we missing the bigger picture, the interconnectedness of the story? Especially the transition between the Old and New Testaments. It’s like someone admiring a few colorful tiles without seeing the mosaic they form. I have all the ingredients up here for making brownies. None of us would like to eat the individual ingredients, but the results are delicious when blended or combined and baked. The Bible’s message makes the most sense when we see it within the context of the world in which it was given. When it is connected together, we have the finished product.

Sometimes we find the Bible difficult, or even strange and outdated, because the culture and way of thinking from that time are so different from our own. We must treat the Bible with the same respect we would give to ancient writings from any culture – seeking to understand it on its own terms, within its original setting, before we try to apply it to our own lives. It requires humility and diligence.

So, let us prepare our hearts and minds to step back in time, to walk in the sandals of those who lived in the period leading up to Jesus’s arrival and in the early days of the Good News. Let us pray.

Heavenly Father, as we gather here today, we pause to reflect on the rich tapestry of history and faith that precedes the coming of your Son, Jesus Christ. Open our hearts and minds to understand the times in which He lived, the hopes and expectations of His people, and the unfolding of your divine plan. Grant us insight into the culture and cosmology of the intertestamental period so that we may better grasp the significance of the New Testament and the profound truths it reveals. May your Spirit guide our study and illuminate our understanding. It is in Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

The Culture and Cosmology of the Intertestamental Period

(The Perspective of Ancient Israelites and Early Christians):

Imagine a time of waiting with me, a silence that stretched for centuries after the last voices of the prophets faded from our land. The descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, carried the weight of our sacred scriptures,/the Torah,/the Prophets,/and the Writings,/yet the direct voice of God seemed distant. Like a field lying fallow after a bountiful harvest, our spirits yearned for the fresh rain of divine guidance.

(Connecting to Current Context): Think of it like waiting for a much-anticipated message from a loved one. The silence can feel heavy, filled with both anticipation and a touch of unease. We might reread old letters, clinging to familiar words, while longing for a new voice to break through.

(The Intertestamental Period: A Time of Tumultuous Change):

These four hundred years, this period between the Old and New Testaments, were anything but quiet. It was a time of upheaval, like a storm-tossed sea. First, the mighty Babylonian empire, the very power that had carried the Israelites into exile in 586 BC under the prophetic warnings of Jeremiah. (Jeremiah 25:11-12) Then Babylon was overthrown by the Persians around 539 BC. A new empire rose to prominence like a change of guards in a vast palace.

Under the Persian king Cyrus, a glimmer of hope emerged. As we read in Ezra 1:1-4, the Lord stirred the heart of Cyrus to issue a decree allowing the exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple. Imagine the joy and the tears of relief as families, generations removed from their homeland, made the long journey back to Judea. It was a new beginning, yet the shadow of foreign rule still lingered. They were back in their land, but not entirely their own masters. It was like returning to a beloved childhood home only to find that others still held the keys. Then came Alexander the Great, this young, almost mythical figure from the land of Greece. In 331 BC, his armies swept through the Israelites’ lands. Yet, remarkably, tradition tells us it was a peaceful transition in Jerusalem. Some say he was shown the prophecies of Daniel (perhaps Daniel 8:20-21), foretelling the rise of Greece, and he spared Jerusalem. It was as if a powerful force recognized a divine hand at play.

But after Alexander’s death, his vast empire fractured, like a magnificent vase shattered into four pieces. One of these pieces, the Seleucid Empire based in Syria, gained control over Judea around 200 BC. This brought new pressures and challenges.

Bulletin Insert 1: The Pressure of Hellenization and the Maccabean Revolt

(Summary Narrative Statement): The intertestamental period was marked by the increasing influence of Greek culture (Hellenization) and the subsequent heroic resistance led by the Maccabees against religious persecution, shaping Jewish identity and aspirations for self-rule.

Under the Seleucid rule, an evil king arose: Antiochus Epiphanes. This name itself, meaning “God Manifest,” was a blasphemy to the Israelites’ ears. He sought to force them to abandon their sacred traditions, to embrace Greek ways, and to defile their Temple. Imagine the horror of the Israelites when this tyrant desecrated the Holy Temple, setting up an idol to Zeus and even forcing Jews to sacrifice pigs on the altar and then eat the flesh of pigs, an abomination to their laws! (As alluded to in historical accounts like 1 Maccabees 1).

(Object Lesson): Picture a precious family heirloom, passed down through generations, representing your heritage and identity. Now imagine someone forcefully trying to deface or destroy it, demanding you replace it with something foreign and meaningless to you. This is how the Israelites felt about their faith and traditions under Antiochus.

But the Spirit of the Israelites’ ancestors was not extinguished. Their resolve to remain loyal to the one true God intensified. From the town of Modein arose the family of Mattathias, and his son Judah, known as Maccabeus, “the Hammer.” This ignited a flame of resistance, a rebellion against this religious tyranny. For years, they fought valiantly, like a small band of shepherds defending their flock against a powerful wolf.

(Expanded Narrative and Cultural Context): This Maccabean revolt, which began around 167 BC, was more than just a military struggle; it was a fight for the very soul of the Israelites. It was a testament to their unwavering loyalty to Yahweh, even in the face of death. Think of the stories passed down, whispered in hushed tones, of those who chose martyrdom rather than renounce their faith. These acts of courage became the bedrock of their identity, a powerful symbol of our commitment to God. Purification and separation from the Gentiles increased.

(Connecting to Current Context): We see echoes of this Spirit today when people stand up for their deeply held beliefs, even when facing opposition or persecution. Think of individuals who fought for civil rights, enduring hardship and violence to uphold their values. Their courage resonates with the Spirit of the Maccabees.

After years of struggle, against all odds, the Maccabees drove out the Seleucids and rededicated the Temple in 164 BC. This miraculous victory is why they celebrate Hanukkah to this day, the festival of lights, a reminder that even in the darkest of times, the light of faith can prevail. For nearly a hundred years, they experienced a degree of self-rule, a taste of the independence the Israelite ancestors had known. Though it was often precarious, with internal conflicts and external pressures, it was a precious time, a reminder of what could be. Like a plant pushing through hard soil to reach the sun, the Israelites’ Spirit of self-determination had refused to be crushed.

(2: The Rise of “Separation” and the Burden of Foreign Rule)

(Summary Narrative Statement): The extended periods of foreign domination during the intertestamental period deeply impacted Jewish self-perception, fostering a sense of being “separate” and intensifying the longing for divine intervention and liberation.

As highlighted,/this era of being ruled by foreign powers – Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, and then Romans – was a new and challenging experience for the Israelites. In the times of their forefathers, from Joshua to the later kings, they had governed mainly themselves in their own land. This constant subjugation, this feeling of being under the thumb of gentiles, shaped their worldview.

(Object Lesson): Imagine being in your own home, but having to constantly answer to someone else who dictates how you live, what you can do, and even what you can believe. This constant lack of autonomy breeds a sense of frustration and a longing for freedom.

This experience fostered a strong sense of “us” versus “them,” a deep-seated distinction between Jew and Gentile. The promises of God to Abraham, “I will bless those who bless you, and curse those who curse you” (Genesis 12:3), resonated deeply within them. They felt a divine protection, a belief that God would ultimately vindicate them against their oppressors.

(Expanded Narrative and Cultural Context): This feeling of being the “separate” permeated many aspects of their lives. Even when a Gentile converted to Judaism, becoming a proselyte, some among them still viewed the Gentile with suspicion, as fundamentally different. Some groups even rejected the idea of conversion altogether, believing that one’s gentile identity was an immutable characteristic. This created internal divisions and complexities within our society.

(Connecting to Current Context): Sadly, we see similar divisions and prejudices in the world today, where people are categorized and treated differently based on their ethnicity, religion, or origin. Understanding the historical roots of such “othering” in our own past can help us to recognize and challenge these harmful tendencies in our own time.

By the time the New Testament dawns, this concept of “separation” is deeply ingrained in the Israelites’ thinking. The Moabites, Ammonites, and Edomites, ancient adversaries from their history, were often viewed with suspicion and distrust (like Deuteronomy 23:3-6). This historical context is crucial for understanding some of the tensions and surprises they encounter in the teachings of Jesus and his followers.

(3: The Cosmology of Heaven and Earth)

(Summary Narrative Statement): The prevailing cosmology during the intertestamental period, influenced by the Old Testament, envisioned a clear distinction between the earthly realm of humanity and the heavenly realm inhabited by the one uncreated God (Yahweh) and also created spiritual beings.

Their understanding of the cosmos was rooted in the stories passed down through generations, beginning with the creation account in Genesis. They believed in one Creator God, Yahweh, who existed before all things, uncreated and eternal. Above the realm where humanity (Anthropos), dwelled, was the heavenly realm, the dwelling place of this one God.

(Object Lesson): Imagine a large castle in Europe during the Gilded Age. The lower level is where the servants and staff members lived. The upper level is the special dwelling place of the Lords or Masters of the house, a realm of greater authority and power. This analogy, though imperfect, helps to visualize the basic understanding of the Israelites’ cosmos—the place they inhabited in God’s cosmic plan for the universe.

Within this heavenly realm existed other spiritual beings, often referred to in the Greek of the New Testament as Theoi (gods or divine beings), mirroring the Old Testament term Elohim. These were created beings, distinct from the uncreated one true God.

(Expanded Narrative and Cultural Context): The term “angels,” while we often use this word today, it’s essential to understand that the New Testament primarily uses the Greek words angelos, which simply means “messenger,” and daimonion, where we get the word demons. When one of these heavenly Theoi came to earth, they acted as messengers (angelos) or could manifest in other ways. The idea of a separate class of beings called “angels” with wings, as often depicted today, was not a primary concept in the Israelites’ understanding.

(Connecting to Current Context): Our modern understanding of the universe, shaped by scientific discoveries, is vastly different. Yet, even today, we grapple with questions of the spiritual realm and the existence of beings beyond our immediate perception. Understanding the ancient cosmology helps us to appreciate the framework within which the New Testament writers communicated their message.

There is a significance in the definite article “ho” (the) before Theos (God). When the New Testament writers spoke of ho Theos, they were clearly referring to the one true God, Yahweh, distinguishing Him from other spiritual beings or even false gods (theos without the article). This linguistic nuance is crucial for understanding the monotheistic foundation of our faith.

(Applications and Takeaways): Bulletin Insert There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.

(Understanding the Context Deepens Our Appreciation of Jesus): The intertestamental period, with its struggles for religious freedom and the yearning for liberation, provides a crucial backdrop for understanding the arrival of Jesus. He stepped into a world shaped by centuries of foreign rule, religious persecution, and a deep longing for the promised Messiah. Knowing this history helps us to grasp the significance of his teachings, his challenges to the status quo, and the hope he offered. Just as understanding the history of a nation helps us appreciate the significance of a pivotal leader, understanding this period illuminates the impact of Jesus’ arrival.

(The Enduring Struggle Against “Separation”): The tendency to create divisions between “us” and “them,” so prevalent in the intertestamental period due to the pressures of foreign rule, is a challenge that continues to plague humanity. The teachings of Jesus, however, transcend these artificial boundaries. As Paul later wrote in Galatians 3:26-29, “For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. 1 And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God’s promise 2 belongs to you.” This radical message of unity and equality in Christ directly confronts the divisions that arose during the intertestamental period. Like a skilled surgeon removing a harmful growth, Jesus’ message cuts through the barriers that separate us.  

(Interpreting Scripture Within Its Historical and Cultural Context): Just as we need to understand the language and customs of a foreign land to truly appreciate its people and their stories, we must approach the Bible with an awareness of its ancient context. The culture, cosmology, and historical experiences of the ancient Israelites and early Christians shaped the way they understood and communicated God’s truth. By studying this background, we can avoid misinterpretations and gain a richer, more accurate understanding of the scriptures. It’s like examining an ancient artifact – to truly understand its purpose and meaning, we need to know the time and culture in which it was created.

(Closing Prayer):

Lord God, we thank you for illuminating our understanding of the times leading up to the coming of your Son. We pray that this knowledge will deepen our appreciation for his life, his teachings, and the salvation he offers. Help us to overcome the divisions that separate us and to embrace the unity we have in Christ. Grant us wisdom as we study your Word so that we may understand it within its proper context and apply its timeless truths to our lives today. Amen.

May this understanding deepen our faith and equip us to share the glorious gospel with greater clarity and conviction in our own time.

Next week will be lesson 4 in our New Testament Orientation series. Our fourth lesson will be: The Jesus of History. The core verse is: Matthew 25:31-36