This is a sermon I did first in 2009 and edited it tonight to share parts of it for tomorrow.
I LOVE this story because it gives us an example of people with so much courage and faith. We need these examples to prepare us for times of persecution!
Hanukkah, 2012: December 8 –16
The story of Hanukkah is important for us to know today. This story is a part of history that occurred a few centuries and a half before the birth of Christ.
The event was commemorated by Christ Himself.
John 10:22 Then came the Feast of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, 23 and Jesus was in the temple area walking in Solomon’s Colonnade. 24 The Jews gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” NIV
The reason it is so important for us today is to make everyone aware that the same courage possessed by the Maccabees must be ours today! We do not know if the Lord is coming back in 40 years or 400 or a 1000; however, we DO know that before He returns Christians will once again see a man who calls himself “god” and demands our worship as well as demanding that we forsake our covenant with our God.
Like the people who lived through the Hanukkah story, we too need to be willing to suffer or even die for our faith! We also need the courage to establish our regular gatherings and observations no matter what the law of the land forbids us to do.
Rev 12: 9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
Furthermore, we need to discern what cultural activities have been accepted by Christians that are not pleasing to the Lord and forsake them. Today there is much pressure to forsake God’s laws and blend in with the rest of society just as the Israelites were being asked to do during the days of the Hanukkah story.
We need to rise far above fear of man and cleave to God’s ways no matter who rejects us!
The story of Hanukkah appears in 1 Maccabees, a part of what is called the apocrypha. The apocrypha is a set of books written between the time periods of the Old and New Testament books. These books are not considered Holy Spirit inspired by the protestant churches. Yet, I am using the passages found in them to show the origin of Hanukkah. These books are indeed pretty accurate as a portrayal of history.
1 Maccabees (Apocrypha), chapter 1: 1: And it happened, after that
Alexander son of Philip, the Macedonian, who came out of the land of Chettiim,
had smitten Darius king of the Persians and Medes, that he reigned in his stead, the first over Greece,
{ from Wikipedia: Alexander III of Macedon (356–323 BC), popularly known as Alexander the Great (Greek: Μέγας Ἀλέξανδρος, Mégas Aléxandros), was a Greeki[›] king (basileus) of Macedon who created one of the largest empires in ancient history. Born in Pella in 356 BC, Alexander received a classical Greek education under the tutorship of famed philosopher Aristotle, succeeded his father Philip II of Macedon to the throne in 336 BC after the King was assassinated, and died thirteen years later at the age of 32. Although both Alexander’s reign and empire were short-lived, the cultural impact of his conquests lasted for centuries. Alexander is one of the most famous figures of antiquity, and is remembered for his tactical ability, his conquests, and for spreading Greek civilization into the East.}
1 Mac 1 cont: 2: And made many wars, and won many strong holds, and slew the kings of the earth, 3: And went through to the ends of the earth, and took spoils of many nations, insomuch that the earth was quiet before him; whereupon he was exalted and his heart was lifted up. 4: And he gathered a mighty strong host and ruled over countries, and nations, and kings, who became tributaries unto him. 5: And after these things he fell sick, and perceived that he should die. 6: Wherefore he called his servants, such as were honourable, and had been brought up with him from his youth, and parted his kingdom among them, while he was yet alive. 7: So Alexander reigned twelves years, and then died. 8: And his servants bare rule every one in his place. 9: And after his death they all put crowns upon themselves; so did their sons after them many years: and evils were multiplied in the earth. 10: And there came out of them a wicked root Antiochus surnamed Epiphanes, son of Antiochus the king, who had been an hostage at Rome, and he reigned in the hundred and thirty and seventh year of the kingdom of the Greeks.
11: In those days went there out of Israel wicked men, who persuaded many, saying, Let us go and make a covenant with the heathen that are round about us: for since we departed from them we have had much sorrow. 12: So this device pleased them well. 13: Then certain of the people were so forward herein, that they went to the king, who gave them licence to do after the ordinances of the heathen: 14: Whereupon they built a place of exercise at Jerusalem according to the customs of the heathen: 15: And made themselves uncircumcised, and forsook the holy covenant, and joined themselves to the heathen, and were sold to do mischief.
16: Now when the kingdom was established before Antiochus, he thought to reign over Egypt that he might have the dominion of two realms. 17: Wherefore he entered into Egypt with a great multitude, with chariots, and elephants, and horsemen, and a great navy, 18: And made war against Ptolemee king of Egypt: but Ptolemee was afraid of him, and fled; and many were wounded to death. 19: Thus they got the strong cities in the land of Egypt and he took the spoils thereof. 20: And after that Antiochus had smitten Egypt, he returned again in the hundred forty and third year, and went up against Israel and Jerusalem with a great multitude, 21: And entered proudly into the sanctuary, and took away the golden altar, and the candlestick of light, and all the vessels thereof, 22: And the table of the shewbread, and the pouring vessels, and the vials. and the censers of gold, and the veil, and the crown, and the golden ornaments that were before the temple, all which he pulled off. 23: He took also the silver and the gold, and the precious vessels: also he took the hidden treasures which he found. 24: And when he had taken all away, he went into his own land, having made a great massacre, and spoken very proudly. 25: Therefore there was a great mourning in Israel, in every place where they were; 26: So that the princes and elders mourned, the virgins and young men were made feeble, and the beauty of women was changed. 27: Every bridegroom took up lamentation, and she that sat in the marriage chamber was in heaviness, 28: The land also was moved for the inhabitants thereof, and all the house of Jacob was covered with confusion. 29: And after two years fully expired the king sent his chief collector of tribute unto the cities of Juda, who came unto Jerusalem with a great multitude, 30: And spake peaceable words unto them, but all was deceit: for when they had given him credence, he fell suddenly upon the city, and smote it very sore, and destroyed much people of Israel. 31: And when he had taken th spoils of the city, he set it on fire, and pulled down the houses and walls thereof on every side. 32: But the women and children took they captive, and possessed the cattle. 33: Then builded they the city of David with a great and strong wall, and with mighty towers, and made it a strong hold for them. 34: And they put therein a sinful nation, wicked men, and fortified themselves therein. 35: They stored it also with armour and victuals, and when they had gathered together the spoils of Jerusalem, they laid them up there, and so they became a sore snare:36: For it was a place to lie in wait against the sanctuary, and an evil adversary to Israel.37: Thus they shed innocent blood on every side of the sanctuary, and defiled it: 38: Insomuch that the inhabitants of Jerusalem fled because of them: whereupon the city was made an habitation of strangers, and became strange to those that were born in her; and her own children left her. 39: Her sanctuary was laid waste like a wilderness, her feasts were turned into mourning, her sabbaths into reproach her honour into contempt.
40: As had been her glory, so was her dishonour increased, and her excellency was turned into mourning.
The following passage indicates the conformity demanded by Antiochus. Today the USA seems to be moving towards a culture where we all accept secular humanism and forsake the laws of Christianity! Once the one believing in abortion and homosexuality was the one who was frowned upon; now to come against these things is coming close to becoming a “hate crime”.
Some store clerks have been reprimanded or even fired for saying “Have a blessed day” or “Merry Christmas”.
In public we are all expected to be secular!
1 Mac 41: Moreover king Antiochus wrote to his whole kingdom, that all should be one people, 42: And every one should leave his laws: so all the heathen agreed according to the commandment of the king. 43: Yea, many also of the Israelites consented to his religion, and sacrificed unto idols, and profaned the sabbath. 44: For the king had sent letters by messengers unto Jerusalem and the cities of Juda that they should follow the strange laws of the land, 45: And forbid burnt offerings, and sacrifice, and drink offerings, in the temple; and that they should profane the sabbaths and festival days: 46: And pollute the sanctuary and holy people: 47: Set up altars, and groves, and chapels of idols, and sacrifice swine’s flesh, and unclean beasts: 48: That they should also leave their children uncircumcised, and make their souls abominable with all manner of uncleanness and profanation: 49: To the end they might forget the law, and change all the ordinances. 50: And whosoever would not do according to the commandment of the king, he said, he should die. 51: In the selfsame manner wrote he to his whole kingdom, and appointed overseers over all the people, commanding the cities of Juda to sacrifice, city by city. 52: Then many of the people were gathered unto them, to wit every one that forsook the law; and so they committed evils in the land; 53: And drove the Israelites into secret places, even wheresoever they could flee for succour. 54: Now the fifteenth day of the month Casleu, in the hundred forty and fifth year, they set up the abomination of desolation upon the altar, and builded idol altars throughout the cities of Juda on every side; 55: And burnt incense at the doors of their houses, and in the streets.
Forsaking the covenant in 1 Mac 1 : 15 & the abomination of desolation in 1 Mac 1: 56 —are a picture of what will again happen again in the future . Daniel, Jesus, and Paul speak of this time in the following passages:
Dan 11: 27 And both these kings’ hearts shall be to do mischief, and they shall speak lies at one table; but it shall not prosper: for yet the end shall be at the time appointed.28 Then shall he return into his land with great riches; and his heart shall be against the holy covenant; and he shall do exploits, and return to his own land.29 At the time appointed he shall return, and come toward the south; but it shall not be as the former, or as the latter.30 For the ships of Chittim shall come against him: therefore he shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation against the holy covenant: so shall he do; he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant.31 And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate.32 And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.33 And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days.34 Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries.35 And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed.36 And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done. 37 Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all.KJV
Matt 24:9 “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come 15 So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’ spoken of through the prophet Daniel — let the reader understand— 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.
II Th 2: 1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
Antiochus was a picture of the antichrist to come!
They Burned the law:
1 Mac 1:56: And when they had rent in pieces the books of the law which they found, they burnt them with fire. 57: And whosoever was found with any the book of the testament, or if any committed to the law, the king’s commandment was, that they should put him to death. 58: Thus did they by their authority unto the Israelites every month, to as many as were found in the cities. 59: Now the five and twentieth day of the month they did sacrifice upon the idol altar, which was upon the altar of God. 60: At which time according to the commandment they put to death certain women, that had caused their children to be circumcised. 61: And they hanged the infants about their necks, and rifled their houses, and slew them that had circumcised them. 62: Howbeit many in Israel were fully resolved and confirmed in themselves not to eat any unclean thing. 63: Wherefore the rather to die, that they might not be defiled with meats, and that they might not profane the holy covenant: so then they died. 64: And there was very great wrath upon Israel.
In the very endtimes people will be killed for keeping God’s Word too:
Rev 6: 9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.
1 Maccabees 2: 1: In those days arose {RB: People of God: ARISE!} Mattathias the son of John, the son of Simeon, a priest of the sons of Joarib, from Jerusalem, and dwelt in Modin. 2: And he had five sons, Joannan, called Caddis: 3: Simon; called Thassi: 4: Judas, who was called Maccabeus: 5: Eleazar, called Avaran: and Jonathan, whose surname was Apphus. 6: And when he {Mattathias} saw the blasphemies that were committed in Juda and Jerusalem, 7: He said, Woe is me! wherefore was I born to see this misery of my people, and of the holy city, and to dwell there, when it was delivered into the hand of the enemy, and the sanctuary into the hand of strangers? 8: Her temple is become as a man without glory. 9: Her glorious vessels are carried away into captivity, her infants are slain in the streets, her young men with the sword of the enemy. 10: What nation hath not had a part in her kingdom and gotten of her spoils? 11: All her ornaments are taken away; of a free woman she is become a bondslave. 12: And, behold, our sanctuary, even our beauty and our glory, is laid waste, and the Gentiles have profaned it. 13: To what end therefore shall we live any longer? 14: Then Mattathias and his sons rent their clothes, and put on sackcloth, and mourned very sore. 15: In the mean while the king’s officers, such as compelled the people to revolt, came into the city Modin, to make them sacrifice. 16: And when many of Israel came unto them, Mattathias also and his sons came together. 17: Then answered the king’s officers, and said to Mattathias on this wise, {rb flatteries}Thou art a ruler, and an honourable and great man in this city, and strengthened with sons and brethren: 18: Now therefore come thou first, and fulfil the king’s commandment, like as all the heathen have done, yea, and the men of Juda also, and such as remain at Jerusalem: so shalt thou and thy house be in the number of the king’s friends, and thou and thy children shall be honoured with silver and gold, and many rewards. 19: Then Mattathias answered and spake with a loud voice, Though all the nations that are under the king’s dominion obey him, and fall away every one from the religion of their fathers, and give consent to his commandments: 20: Yet will I and my sons and my brethren walk in the covenant of our fathers. 21: God forbid that we should forsake the law and the ordinances. 22: We will not hearken to the king’s words, to go from our religion, either on the right hand, or the left. 23: Now when he had left speaking these words, there came one of the Jews in the sight of all to sacrifice on the altar which was at Modin, according to the king’s commandment.24: Which thing when Mattathias saw, he was inflamed with zeal, and his reins trembled, neither could he forbear to shew his anger according to judgment: wherefore he ran, and slew him upon the altar. 25: Also the king’s commissioner, who compelled men to sacrifice, he killed at that time, and the altar he pulled down.
26: Thus dealt he zealously for the law of God like as Phinees did unto Zambri the son of Salom.
Re” “zealous for the law”: Acts 21:20 And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the lawKJV
1 Mac 2 cont: 27: And Mattathias cried throughout the city with a loud voice, saying, Whosoever is zealous of the law, and maintaineth the covenant, let him follow me. 28: So he and his sons fled into the mountains, and left all that ever they had in the city. 29: Then many that sought after justice and judgment went down into the wilderness, to dwell there: 30: Both they, and their children, and their wives; and their cattle; because afflictions increased sore upon them. 31: Now when it was told the king’s servants, and the host that was at Jerusalem, in the city of David, that certain men, who had broken the king’s commandment, were gone down into the secret places in the wilderness, 32: They pursued after them a great number, and having overtaken them, they camped against them, and made war against them on the sabbath day. 33: And they said unto them, Let that which ye have done hitherto suffice; come forth, and do according to the commandment of the king, and ye shall live.
34: But they said, We will not come forth, neither will we do the king’s commandment, to profane the sabbath day. 35: So then they gave them the battle with all speed. 36: Howbeit they answered them not, neither cast they a stone at them, nor stopped the places where they lay hid; 37: But said, Let us die all in our innocency: heaven and earth will testify for us, that ye put us to death wrongfully. 38: So they rose up against them in battle on the sabbath, and they slew them, with their wives and children and their cattle, to the number of a thousand people. 39: Now when Mattathias and his friends understood hereof, they mourned for them right sore. 40: And one of them said to another, If we all do as our brethren have done, and fight not for our lives and laws against the heathen, they will now quickly root us out of the earth. 41: At that time therefore they decreed, saying, Whosoever shall come to make battle with us on the sabbath day, we will fight against him; neither will we die all, as our brethren that were murdered in the secret places. 42: Then came there unto him a company of Assideans who were mighty men of Israel, even all such as were voluntarily devoted unto the law. 43: Also all they that fled for persecution joined themselves unto them, and were a stay unto them. 44: So they joined their forces, and smote sinful men in their anger, and wicked men in their wrath: but the rest fled to the heathen for succour. 45: Then Mattathias and his friends went round about, and pulled down the altars: 46: And what children soever they found within the coast of Israel uncircumcised, those they circumcised valiantly. 47: They pursued also after the proud men, and the work prospered in their hand. 48: So they recovered the law out of the hand of the Gentiles, and out of the hand of kings, neither suffered they the sinner to triumph. 49: Now when the time drew near that Mattathias should die, he said unto his sons, Now hath pride and rebuke gotten strength, and the time of destruction, and the wrath of indignation: 50: Now therefore, my sons, be ye zealous for the law, and give your lives for the covenant of your fathers. 51: Call to remembrance what acts our fathers did in their time; so shall ye receive great honour and an everlasting name. 52: Was not Abraham found faithful in temptation, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness? 53: Joseph in the time of his distress kept the commandment and was made lord of Egypt. 54: Phinees our father in being zealous and fervent obtained the covenant of an everlasting priesthood. 55: Jesus for fulfilling the word was made a judge in Israel. 56: Caleb for bearing witness before the congregation received the heritage of the land. 57: David for being merciful possessed the throne of an everlasting kingdom. 58: Elias for being zealous and fervent for the law was taken up into heaven. 59: Ananias, Azarias, and Misael, by believing were saved out of the flame. 60: Daniel for his innocency was delivered from the mouth of lions. 61: And thus consider ye throughout all ages, that none that put their trust in him shall be overcome. 62: Fear not then the words of a sinful man: for his glory shall be dung and worms. 63: To day he shall be lifted up and to morrow he shall not be found, because he is returned into his dust, and his thought is come to nothing. 64: Wherefore, ye my sons, be valiant and shew yourselves men in the behalf of the law; for by it shall ye obtain glory. 65: And behold, I know that your brother Simon is a man of counsel, give ear unto him alway: he shall be a father unto you. 66: As for Judas Maccabeus, he hath been mighty and strong, even from his youth up: let him be your captain, and fight the battle of the people. 67: Take also unto you all those that observe the law, and avenge ye the wrong of your people. 68: Recompense fully the heathen, and take heed to the commandments of the law. 69: So he blessed them, and was gathered to his fathers. 70: And he died in the hundred forty and sixth year, and his sons buried him in the sepulchres of his fathers at Modin, and all Israel made great lamentation for him. 1 Maccabees 3 1: Then his son Judas, called Maccabeus, rose up in his stead. 2: And all his brethren helped him, and so did all they that held with his father, and they fought with cheerfulness the battle of Israel. 3: So he gat his people great honour, and put on a breastplate as a giant, and girt his warlike harness about him, and he made battles, protecting the host with his sword. 4: In his acts he was like a lion, and like a lion’s whelp roaring for his prey. 5: For He pursued the wicked, and sought them out, and burnt up those that vexed his people. 6: Wherefore the wicked shrunk for fear of him, and all the workers of iniquity were troubled, because salvation prospered in his hand. 7: He grieved also many kings, and made Jacob glad with his acts, and his memorial is blessed for ever. 8: Moreover he went through the cities of Juda, destroying the ungodly out of them, and turning away wrath from Israel: 9: So that he was renowned unto the utmost part of the earth, and he received unto him such as were ready to perish. 10: Then Apollonius gathered the Gentiles together, and a great host out of Samaria, to fight against Israel.11: Which thing when Judas perceived, he went forth to meet him, and so he smote him, and slew him: many also fell down slain, but the rest fled. 12: Wherefore Judas took their spoils, and Apollonius’ sword also, and therewith he fought all his life long. 13: Now when Seron, a prince of the army of Syria, heard say that Judas had gathered unto him a multitude and company of the faithful to go out with him to war; 14: He said, I will get me a name and honour in the kingdom; for I will go fight with Judas and them that are with him, who despise the king’s commandment. 15: So he made him ready to go up, and there went with him a mighty host of the ungodly to help him, and to be avenged of the children of Israel. 16: And when he came near to the going up of Bethhoron, Judas went forth to meet him with a small company: 17: Who, when they saw the host coming to meet them, said unto Judas, How shall we be able, being so few, to fight against so great a multitude and so strong, seeing we are ready to faint with fasting all this day? 18: Unto whom Judas answered, It is no hard matter for many to be shut up in the hands of a few; and with the God of heaven it is all one, to deliver with a great multitude, or a small company: 19: For the victory of battle standeth not in the multitude of an host; but strength cometh from heaven. 20: They come against us in much pride and iniquity to destroy us, and our wives and children, and to spoil us: 21: But we fight for our lives and our laws. 22: Wherefore the Lord himself will overthrow them before our face: and as for you, be ye not afraid of them. 23: Now as soon as he had left off speaking, he leapt suddenly upon them, and so Seron and his host was overthrown before him. 24: And they pursued them from the going down of Bethhoron unto the plain, where were slain about eight hundred men of them; and the residue fled into the land of the Philistines. 25: Then began the fear of Judas and his brethren, and an exceeding great dread, to fall upon the nations round about them: 26: Insomuch as his fame came unto the king, and all nations talked of the battles of Judas. 27: Now when king Antiochus heard these things, he was full of indignation: wherefore he sent and gathered together all the forces of his realm, even a very strong army. 28: He opened also his treasure, and gave his soldiers pay for a year, commanding them to be ready whensoever he should need them. 29: Nevertheless, when he saw that the money of his treasures failed and that the tributes in the country were small, because of the dissension and plague, which he had brought upon the land in taking away the laws which had been of old time; 30: He feared that he should not be able to bear the charges any longer, nor to have such gifts to give so liberally as he did before: for he had abounded above the kings that were before him.31: Wherefore, being greatly perplexed in his mind, he determined to go into Persia, there to take the tributes of the countries, and to gather much money. 32: So he left Lysias, a nobleman, and one of the blood royal, to oversee the affairs of the king from the river Euphrates unto the borders of Egypt: 33: And to bring up his son Antiochus, until he came again. 34: Moreover he delivered unto him the half of his forces, and the elephants, and gave him charge of all things that he would have done, as also concerning them that dwelt in Juda and Jerusalem: 35: To wit, that he should send an army against them, to destroy and root out the strength of Israel, and the remnant of Jerusalem, and to take away their memorial from that place; 36: And that he should place strangers in all their quarters, and divide their land by lot. {rb this too is happening today!} 37: So the king took the half of the forces that remained, and departed from Antioch, his royal city, the hundred forty and seventh year; and having passed the river Euphrates, he went through the high countries. 38: Then Lysias chose Ptolemee the son of Dorymenes, Nicanor, and Gorgias, mighty men of the king’s friends: 39: And with them he sent forty thousand footmen, and seven thousand horsemen, to go into the land of Juda, and to destroy it, as the king commanded. 40: So they went forth with all their power, and came and pitched by Emmaus in the plain country. 41: And the merchants of the country, hearing the fame of them, took silver and gold very much, with servants, and came into the camp to buy the children of Israel for slaves: a power also of Syria and of the land of the Philistines joined themselves unto them. 42: Now when Judas and his brethren saw that miseries were multiplied, and that the forces did encamp themselves in their borders: for they knew how the king had given commandment to destroy the people, and utterly abolish them; 43: They said one to another, Let us restore the decayed fortune of our people, and let us fight for our people and the sanctuary. 44: Then was the congregation gathered together, that they might be ready for battle, and that they might pray, and ask mercy and compassion. 45: Now Jerusalem lay void as a wilderness, there was none of her children that went in or out: the sanctuary also was trodden down, and aliens kept the strong hold; the heathen had their habitation in that place; and joy was taken from Jacob, and the pipe with the harp ceased. 46: Wherefore the Israelites assembled themselves together, and came to Maspha, over against Jerusalem; for in Maspha was the place where they prayed aforetime in Israel. 47: Then they fasted that day, and put on sackcloth, and cast ashes upon their heads, and rent their clothes, 48: And laid open the book of the law, wherein the heathen had sought to paint the likeness of their images. 49: They brought also the priests’ garments, and the firstfruits, and the tithes: and the Nazarites they stirred up, who had accomplished their days. 50: Then cried they with a loud voice toward heaven, saying, What shall we do with these, and whither shall we carry them away? 51: For thy sanctuary is trodden down and profaned, and thy priests are in heaviness, and brought low. 52: And lo, the heathen are assembled together against us to destroy us: what things they imagine against us, thou knowest. 53: How shall we be able to stand against them, except thou, O God, be our help? 54: Then sounded they with trumpets, and cried with a loud voice. 55: And after this Judas ordained captains over the people, even captains over thousands, and over hundreds, and over fifties, and over tens. 56: But as for such as were building houses, or had betrothed wives, or were planting vineyards, or were fearful, those he commanded that they should return, every man to his own house, according to the law. 57: So the camp removed, and pitched upon the south side of Emmaus. 58: And Judas said, arm yourselves, and be valiant men, and see that ye be in readiness against the morning, that ye may fight with these nations, that are assembled together against us to destroy us and our sanctuary: 59: For it is better for us to die in battle, than to behold the calamities of our people and our sanctuary. 60: Nevertheless, as the will of God is in heaven, so let him do. 1 Maccabees 4: 1: Then took Gorgias five thousand footmen, and a thousand of the best horsemen, and removed out of the camp by night; 2: To the end he might rush in upon the camp of the Jews, and smite them suddenly. And the men of the fortress were his guides. 3: Now when Judas heard thereof he himself removed, and the valiant men with him, that he might smite the king’s army which was at Emmaus, 4: While as yet the forces were dispersed from the camp. 5: In the mean season came Gorgias by night into the camp of Judas: and when he found no man there, he sought them in the mountains: for said he, These fellows flee from us 6: But as soon as it was day, Judas shewed himself in the plain with three thousand men, who nevertheless had neither armour nor swords to their minds. 7: And they saw the camp of the heathen, that it was strong and well harnessed, and compassed round about with horsemen; and these were expert of war. 8: Then said Judas to the men that were with him, Fear ye not their multitude, neither be ye afraid of their assault. 9: Remember how our fathers were delivered in the Red sea, when Pharaoh pursued them with an army. 10: Now therefore let us cry unto heaven, if peradventure the Lord will have mercy upon us, and remember the covenant of our fathers, and destroy this host before our face this day: 11: That so all the heathen may know that there is one who delivereth and saveth Israel. 12: Then the strangers lifted up their eyes, and saw them coming over against them. 13: Wherefore they went out of the camp to battle; but they that were with Judas sounded their trumpets. 14: So they joined battle, and the heathen being discomfited fled into the plain. 15: Howbeit all the hindmost of them were slain with the sword: for they pursued them unto Gazera, and unto the plains of Idumea, and Azotus, and Jamnia, so that there were slain of them upon a three thousand men. 16: This done, Judas returned again with his host from pursuing them, 17: And said to the people, Be not greedy of the spoil inasmuch as there is a battle before us, 18: And Gorgias and his host are here by us in the mountain: but stand ye now against our enemies, and overcome them, and after this ye may boldly take the spoils. 19: As Judas was yet speaking these words, there appeared a part of them looking out of the mountain: 20: Who when they perceived that the Jews had put their host to flight and were burning the tents; for the smoke that was seen declared what was done: 21: When therefore they perceived these things, they were sore afraid, and seeing also the host of Judas in the plain ready to fight, 22: They fled every one into the land of strangers. 23: Then Judas returned to spoil the tents, where they got much gold, and silver, and blue silk, and purple of the sea, and great riches. 24: After this they went home, and sung a song of thanksgiving, and praised the Lord in heaven: because it is good, because his mercy endureth forever. 25: Thus Israel had a great deliverance that day. 26: Now all the strangers that had escaped came and told Lysias what had happened: 27: Who, when he heard thereof, was confounded and discouraged, because neither such things as he would were done unto Israel, nor such things as the king commanded him were come to pass. 28: The next year therefore following Lysias gathered together threescore thousand choice men of foot, and five thousand horsemen, that he might subdue them. 29: So they came into Idumea, and pitched their tents at Bethsura, and Judas met them with ten thousand men. 30: And when he saw that mighty army, he prayed and said, Blessed art thou, O Saviour of Israel, who didst quell the violence of the mighty man by the hand of thy servant David, and gavest the host of strangers into the hands of Jonathan the son of Saul, and his armourbearer; 31: Shut up this army in the hand of thy people Israel, and let them be confounded in their power and horsemen: 32: Make them to be of no courage, and cause the boldness of their strength to fall away, and let them quake at their destruction: 33: Cast them down with the sword of them that love thee, and let all those that know thy name praise thee with thanksgiving. 34: So they joined battle; and there were slain of the host of Lysias about five thousand men, even before them were they slain. 35: Now when Lysias saw his army put to flight, and the manliness of Judas’ soldiers, and how they were ready either to live or die valiantly, he went into Antiochia, and gathered together a company of strangers, and having made his army greater than it was, he purposed to come again into Judea. 36: Then said Judas and his brethren, Behold, our enemies are discomfited: let us go up to cleanse and dedicate the sanctuary. 37: Upon this all the host assembled themselves together, and went up into mount Sion. 38: And when they saw the sanctuary desolate, and the altar profaned, and the gates burned up, and shrubs growing in the courts as in a forest, or in one of the mountains, yea, and the priests’ chambers pulled down; 39: They rent their clothes, and made great lamentation, and cast ashes upon their heads, 40: And fell down flat to the ground upon their faces, and blew an alarm with the trumpets, and cried toward heaven. 41: Then Judas appointed certain men to fight against those that were in the fortress, until he had cleansed the sanctuary. 42: So he chose priests of blameless conversation, such as had pleasure in the law: 43: Who cleansed the sanctuary, and bare out the defiled stones into an unclean place. 44: And when as they consulted what to do with the altar of burnt offerings, which was profaned; 45: They thought it best to pull it down, lest it should be a reproach to them, because the heathen had defiled it: wherefore they pulled it down,
46: And laid up the stones in the mountain of the temple in a convenient place, until there should come a prophet to shew what should be done with them. 47: Then they took whole stones according to the law, and built a new altar according to the former;
48: And made up the sanctuary, and the things that were within the temple, and hallowed the courts. 49: They made also new holy vessels, and into the temple they brought the candlestick, and the altar of burnt offerings, and of incense, and the table. 50: And upon the altar they burned incense, and the lamps that were upon the candlestick they lighted, that they might give light in the temple.
51: Furthermore they set the loaves upon the table, and spread out the veils, and finished all the works which they had begun to make.
52: Now on the five and twentieth day of the ninth month, which is called the month Casleu, in the hundred forty and eighth year, they rose up betimes in the morning, 53: And offered sacrifice according to the law upon the new altar of burnt offerings, which they had made. 54: Look, at what time and what day the heathen had profaned it, even in that was it dedicated with songs, and citherns, and harps, and cymbals. 55: Then all the people fell upon their faces, worshipping and praising the God of heaven, who had given them good success. 56: And so they kept the dedication of the altar eight days and offered burnt offerings with gladness, and sacrificed the sacrifice of deliverance and praise. 57: They decked also the forefront of the temple with crowns of gold, and with shields; and the gates and the chambers they renewed, and hanged doors upon them.58: Thus was there very great gladness among the people, for that the reproach of the heathen was put away.
Rb: Hanukkah ordained: 59: Moreover Judas and his brethren with the whole congregation of Israel ordained, that the days of the dedication of the altar should be kept in their season from year to year by the space of eight days, from the five and twentieth day of the month Casleu, with mirth and gladness. 60: At that time also they builded up the mount Sion with high walls and strong towers round about, lest the Gentiles should come and tread it down as they had done before. --
THE FIRST BOOK OF MACCABEES:The Story Behind Hanukkah:by Doug Ward |
As Christians, we often live in tension with the world around us. Belonging to a kingdom “not of this world’’ (John 18:36), we are sent into the world (Matt. 28:19-20; John 17:18) but are to remain unpolluted by it (James 1:27). We are obedient citizens of earthly governments (I Peter 2:13-17), yet at times we must choose to “obey God rather than men’’ (Acts 5:29; 4:19).
Because of such tensions, difficult questions arise. Is it better to stay largely separate from the surrounding culture, or can we somehow take advantage of that culture to further the work of the gospel? Should Christians ever go to war? If so, under what circumstances?
While grappling with questions like these, we can draw insight, strength and encouragement from the stories of God’s people through the ages who have dealt with similar issues. In the current installment of our series on the Apocrypha we will consider one such story. It comes to us from the second century B.C., a time when faithful followers of God and his Torah faced severe persecution, and the future of the Jews as a distinct people seemingly hung in the balance. This story is recorded in the book of First Maccabees.
:First Maccabees covers a period of a little over forty years in Jewish history, beginning with the accession of King Antiochus IV to the Seleucid throne in 175 B.C. The book is a “dynastic history” that concentrates on the exploits of one priestly family-Mattathias; his sons Judas Maccabeus, Jonathan, Simon, John, and Eleazar; and Simon’s son John Hyrcanus. Mattathias’s sons, known collectively as the Maccabees, rescued the Jerusalem temple from pagan hands and eventually gained political independence for the Jews. They founded the Hasmonean dynasty1, which provided political and spiritual leadership for Israel for about a century.
First Maccabees was written by a supporter of the Hasmoneans. The book’s ending implies that it was completed sometime after the end of John Hyrcanus’s reign in 104 B.C. On the other hand, since it speaks of the Romans in favorable-even idealistic-terms (see I Macc. 8:1-16), it was certainly written before 63 B.C., when a Roman takeover of Jerusalem ended Hasmonean rule.
The author of First Maccabees probably lived in the Holy Land, since he was very familiar with the geography of the region and had access to official documents that would have been archived in Jerusalem. Although there are no surviving Hebrew manuscripts of the book, scholars agree that it was originally written in Hebrew and subsequently translated into Greek. 2 According to Dr. David A. deSilva [1, p. 247], “Translating the book back into Hebrew offers relatively few challenges and has been used to clear up difficulties in the Greek text, a fact that weighs heavily in favor of a Hebrew original standing behind the Septuagint tradition.”
The book is our most important historical source for the period of Jewish history that it describes. Josephus3 considered it to be reliable; he paraphrased I Macc. 1:11-13:42 in books twelve and thirteen of his Antiquities of the Jews. With its extensive use of official documents and precise dates, I Maccabees purports to be an accurate account of the Maccabean revolt. At the same time, it has an unmistakable point of view. Written in the style of I and 2 Kings (see I Macc. 9:22; 16:23-24), it portrays the Maccabees as God’s chosen instruments (5:62) and worthy successors of earlier kings and priests of Israel. As we discuss the narrative in more detail, we will note some of the connections the book makes between the Maccabees and these earlier heroes.
Background: The Challenge of Hellenism |
First Maccabees begins with the rise to power of Alexander the Great, who conquered the empire of the Medes and Persians (including the land of Israel) and set up his own Graeco-Macedonian empire in its place (1:1-4; cf. Dan. 8:5-7, 20-21). Shortly before Alexander died in 323 B.C., he divided his vast territories among four of his “most honored officers” (1:6; Dan. 8:8, 22). One of those officers, Ptolemy, controlled Palestine. Ptolemy and his successors in Egypt ruled over the Jews until 198 B.C. After that, Israel came under the authority of the Syrian Seleucids, whose empire was headquartered at Antioch.
Hellenization during this time: Although Alexander’s rule was shortlived (twelve years, according to I Macc. 1:7), policies that he set in motion had a profound effect on the world for centuries to come. A pupil of Aristotle and lover of Greek ways, Alexander hoped to use Greek language, learning, and culture to unite the empire. To this end, he founded Greek cities (poleis) throughout his territories. Dr. Oskar Skarsaune [5, p. 31] gives the following description of a typical polis:
“A polis contained some obligatory institutions: a public town center and marketplace (the square agora); a hall for the city council (the bouleuterion); baths; temples to the Greek (later Roman) gods; a theater; a gymnasium (a combined higher school and sports training ground); preferably a library and a sports stadium; and if a big city, also a hippodrome.”
By means of the poleis, Greek culture was introduced to surrounding areas and mingled with the native cultures of those regions, creating a cultural synthesis called Hellenism. Correspondingly, the spread of Greek language and customs was known as “Hellenization” (see 2 Macc. 4:13).
In their interactions with Greek culture, the various native cultures did not enjoy a “level playing field.” Although the Greeks had some admiration for the more ancient cultures of their empire ([5, pp. 29-30]), they were still the ones in charge. Skarsaune comments,
“Greek culture was the culture of the conquerors, the rulers, the armies and the new business elite. Greek was the language of government and administration, business and commerce. And Greek literature was taken as the supreme model for all kinds of literary production. In other words, Greek culture was the culture of the new era, and anyone who would belong to the new elite had to adopt it” [5, p. 28].
The attractions of the dominant Greek culture thus created great pressure to Hellenize. As a result, a number of ancient cultures were swallowed up by Hellenism and essentially disappeared from history.
For the Jews, Hellenism offered both opportunities and temptations. On the one hand, Jewish thought ultimately was greatly enriched by certain Greek concepts. A prime example is the Greek idea that “the hidden law governing the entire universe is divine reason, logos, and the moral task of humanity is to live a life of conformity to this divine reason, which is the law of ethics as well as the law of nature” [5, p. 35]. Jewish thinkers, beginning with the author of Sirach in the early second century B.C., identified the underlying universal law as God’s Torah (see especially Sirach 24). In this way, a Hellenistic concept led to the exaltation of the God of Israel and the promotion of his inspired word.
On the other hand, Hellenism created temptations for Jews to compromise the aspects of Torah-e.g., the Sabbath, circumcision, and dietary laws-that set them apart as a unique and distinct people. By remaining separate from the Gentiles, some reasoned, Jews were missing out on the wealth and prestige afforded by Hellenism.
By the time Antiochus IV, a greedy and power-hungry man, took over the Seleucid throne in 175 B.C. (I Macc. 1:10), there was apparently considerable controversy in Judea over Hellenism (vv. 11-15). One of those who favored Hellenization was Yeshua (a.k..a. Jason), the brother of Onias the high priest. Jason bribed the new king in order to seize control of the high priesthood from Onias.
The book of 2 Maccabees tells us that Jason set aside the authority of Torah and took steps to turn Jerusalem into a Greek polis (2 Macc. 4:9-17). I Maccabees 1:11-15 does not mention Jason’s name explicitly, but he was certainly among the “renegades” referred to in those verses. Jason probably rationalized his corrupt actions by claiming that his Hellenization program was in the best interests of the people. Instead, his takeover of the high priesthood set in motion a sequence of events that led to one of the greatest crises in the history of Israel.
The Abomination of Desolation |
Jason was not in power for long. Ironically, his subordinate Menelaus double-crossed him in much the same way that he had ousted Onias. When Jason sent Menelaus to Antiochus on official business in 172 B.C., Menelaus managed to grab the high priesthood for himself by offering a bribe higher than Jason’s (2 Macc. 4:23-24).
Menelaus, another Hellenizer, seems to have been mainly concerned with staying in office and lining his own pockets. His acts of treachery included arranging for Onias to be murdered and plundering gold vessels from the temple (2 Macc. 4:25-34).
In 169 B.C., when a false rumor arose that Antiochus had been killed in battle in Egypt, Jason tried unsuccessfully to regain control of Jerusalem (2 Macc. 5:5-10). Antiochus then hurried to Jerusalem to put down the uprising. At Menelaus’s invitation, the king raided the temple (I Macc. 1:20-28; 2 Macc. 5:11-16) before returning to Antioch.
Two years later, Antiochus sent his general Apollonius to Jerusalem with a large force to consolidate Seleucid control over Judea. Apollonius killed large numbers of Menelaus’s opponents in a cruel attack that took place on the Sabbath day (I Macc. 1:29-32; 2 Macc. 5:24-26). He then expanded or rebuilt Akra, a fortress citadel located near the temple, where he
stationed a garrison of Syrians and Hellenized Jews (I Macc. 1: 33-40).
These were only the beginning of Antiochus’s repressive measures against the Jews. Apparently viewing any type of Jewish religious practice as a threat to his authority, he proceeded to outlaw temple sacrifices, circumcision, Sabbath and festival observance, and reading of the scriptures (I Macc. 1:41-61; 2 Macc.6:1-11). Worst of all, he established idolatrous pagan worship at the temple (2 Macc. 6:1-5). As I Macc. 1:54 puts it, the king’s men “erected a desolating sacrilege on the altar of burnt offering.” This phrase identifies Antiochus’s blasphemous sacrifices as the “abomination of desolation” prophesied in Daniel 11:31.
{Me : still to happen: Mark 13:14 “When you see ‘the abomination that causes desolation’ standing where it does not belong — let the reader understand — then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.
2 Thess 2:3-43 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.KJV}
No one knows exactly why Antiochus IV persecuted the Jews so harshly. Certainly his judgment was impaired by greed and arrogance, an arrogance reflected in the name he gave himself-“Epiphanes,” which means “the manifest [one].” (In other words, he claimed to be a god in human form.) Among the Jews he came to be known as Epimanes (“the madman”), a more fitting designation [4, p.465].
A number of faithful Jews willingly became martyrs by refusing to submit to the king’s demands that they abandon the commandments of God (1 Macc. 1:62-63; 2 Macc. 6-7). Others decided to fight back. The opposition began to form at Modein, a village about seventeen miles northwest of Jerusalem, where Mattathias the priest and his five sons had taken refuge (I Macc. 2:1-14). When representatives of the king arrived in Modein, they offered Mattathias status and wealth if he would lead the village in adopting the state-sponsored religious observances (vv. 15-18). Mattathias declined, saying, “I and my sons and my brothers will continue to live by the covenant of our ancestors” (v. 20). His declaration was reminiscent of the words of Joshua recorded in Joshua 24:15 (“but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord”).
The priest backed up his speech with decisive action. When another man openly stepped forward to offer the sacrifice prescribed by the king, Mattathias quickly killed both the traitor and the king’s officer and tore down the altar (2:23-26). The author compares the zeal of Mattathias to that of one of Israel’s greatest priests, Phinehas the grandson of Aaron (Num. 25:1-15). Like Phinehas, he had taken forceful steps to stop the spread of idolatry among God’s people.
Mattathias then called upon the inhabitants of Modein to join him in standing up for God and the covenant (2:27). His words are like the rallying cry that Moses gave in stopping Israel’s worship of the golden calf (Exod. 32:26). Leaving their possessions behind, Mattathias and his family “fled to the hills” (2:28). Others soon joined them (vv. 42-43), much as a small army had formed around David when King Saul threatened his life (I Sam. 22:2).
In the wilderness, the guerilla army immediately faced some difficult choices. After a thousand Jews were slaughtered on the Sabbath by the king’s forces (2:29-38), Mattathias and his men determined that they would fight on the Sabbath, if necessary, rather than passively accept martyrdom (vv. 39-41). They took the offensive, tearing down pagan altars, circumcizing the uncircumcized, and even killing countrymen who collaborated with the enemy (vv. 44-48).
Mattathias expended all of his strength in organizing and leading the Jewish opposition to Antiochus. It soon became clear to the elderly priest that he did not have much longer to live. Before his death, he urged his sons to carry on the cause, reminding them of the examples of great heroes of Israel like Joseph, Phinehas, Joshua and Caleb, Elijah, and Daniel and his three friends (vv. 51-60). He placed Judas in charge of the army and instructed his sons to heed the wise counsel of their brother Simeon (vv. 65-66). His death came in 166 B.C. (v. 70).
As we have seen, the author of I Maccabees makes several connections between Mattathias and luminaries like Moses, David, and Phinehas. In part, these connections are intended to lend support to the proactive stance taken by Mattathias and his men. Just as Phinehas and other Levites in the days of Moses were forced to take the lives of some Israelites in order to combat idolatry (Exod. 32:25-29; Num. 25), so Mattathias-from the perspective of I Maccabees-was justified in attacking the enemies of Torah. Comparisons between Mattathias and earlier heroes of Israel also begin to lay the groundwork for the view that the Maccabees and their descendants were amply qualified to be both kings and priests. Further backing for this view is added as our story proceeds.
Judas Reclaims the Temple |
Judas proved to be a valiant and successful commander of the Jewish resistance forces, living up to the expectations of his father. His exploits are celebrated in a poem, recorded in I Macc. 3:3-9, that links him to the patriarch Judah (v. 4; cf. Gen. 49:9) and also to Phinehas (v.8; cf. Num. 25:11).
Syrian generals soon found out that Judas was a formidable opponent. When Apollonius brought his forces against Judas’s men, he lost the battle and his life. Judas came away from the battle with the sword of Apollonius (I Macc. 3:10-12), a detail that reminds us of David’s victory over Goliath and subsequent use of Goliath’s sword .
Judas followed up his initial victory by routing Syrian forces under Seron at Beth-horon, about twelve miles northwest of Jerusalem (3:13-26). The Jewish forces were badly outnumbered, but Judas inspired those under him with an unwavering faith. In a speech that recalls the words of Jonathan in I Sam 14:6, Judas reminded his comrades that “strength comes from Heaven” and that in God’s sight, “there is no difference between saving by many or by few” (vv. 18-19).
Reports of the Jewish rebellion aroused the ire of Antiochus IV, whose efforts to expand his army were hampered by a depleted treasury. Antiochus headed to Persia to raise funds, leaving Lysias in charge of his affairs (3:27-37). Lysias then sent commanders Ptolemy, Nicanor, and Gorgias with forty thousand infantry and seven thousand cavalry to bring Judea into submission (vv. 35-36, 38-39).
Again facing an overwhelming disadvantage in numbers, Judas and his brothers refused to panic. Instead they led the Jews in fasting and prayer, beseeching the Creator of the Universe to intervene on behalf of his people and his holy temple (3:42-53). Judas then organized the Jewish forces into “thousands and hundreds and fifties and tens,” following the example of Moses (vv. 55; cf. Exod. 18). He was also careful to abide by the guidelines of Deut. 20:5-8 (v. 56). In the parlance of Gilbert and Sullivan, Judas Maccabeus was “the very model of a Torah-observant general.”
Judas’s faith and courage were soon rewarded. When Gorgias attempted a surprise night attack on the Jewish camp, the Judean forces cleverly evaded the enemy and launched a bold and successful counterstrike against the Seleucid camp (4:1-25). Judas encouraged his men by reminding them of God’s deliverance of their ancestors from Pharaoh’s army at the banks of the Red Sea (vv. 9-11). The following year, Lysias brought sixty five thousand troops against Judas, whose forces numbered only ten thousand. Gaining strength through prayer (vv. 30-33), Judas led his smaller army to another decisive victory and forced Lysias to depart and regroup (vv. 34-35).
Hannukah origins: These military triumphs gave the Jews an opportunity for which they had been waiting. With the enemy temporarily neutralized, they regained possession of the temple (4:36-37). Finding everything in great disrepair, Judas sent some men to keep the Akra garrison occupied while the sanctuary was cleansed and refurbished (vv. 41-51). On 25 Kislev in 164 B.C., three years to the day after the temple had been profaned, sacrifices were resumed and a joyous eight-day celebration followed (vv. 52-58). Ever since that time, the rededication of the temple has been commemorated annually at the festival of Hanukkah (v. 59). .Conclusion |
Wikipedia: Hellenization: The conquests of Alexander the Great in the late 4th century BC spread Greek culture and colonization over non-Greek lands, including the Levant, and gave rise to the Hellenistic age, which sought to create a common or universal culture (see also Melting pot) in the Alexandrian empire based on that of 5th and 4th century BC Athens (see also Age of Pericles), along with a fusion of Near Eastern cultures.[1] The period is characterized by a new wave of Greek colonization which established Greek cities and Kingdoms in Asia and Africa[2], the most famous being Alexandria. New cities were established composed of colonists who came from different parts of the Greek world, and not from a specific “mother city” (literally metropolis, see also metropolis) as before.[2]
This synthesised Hellenistic culture had a profound impact on the customs and practices of Jews, both in Judea and in the Diaspora. The inroads into Judaism gave rise to Hellenistic Judaism in the Jewish diaspora which sought to establish a Hebraic-Jewish religious tradition within the culture and language of Hellenism.
Nevertheless, the cultural issues remained unresolved. The main issue separating the Hellenistic and orthodox Jews was the application of biblical laws in a Hellenistic (melting pot) culture.[3]
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