Intertestamental Period: What Happened Between Malachi and Jesus

The New Testament book of Matthew opens a new period in the life of God’s people. Now Rome is the new world power and rules God’s people in the Promised Land. Before Roman’s rule, God’s people had witnessed the rise and fall of many foreign rulers, including the construction of a new Temple, often called the “Second Temple Judaism.” Between the period of the Second Temple (516 BC) and the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 introduced periods of political and religious changes and structures in the lives of God’s people.

The time between the Old Testament and the New Testament is often called the intertestamental period (approximately 433 BC to 5 BC). This intertestamental period covers approximately 400 years from the time of Nehemiah and Malachi to the birth of Jesus Christ. Some scholars call the intertestamental period the “silent” years. However, these years were anything but silent.

Intertestamental Books: During the intertestamental years, the Jewish writers wrote many books including the Apocrypha, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and the Septuagint. These books are a collection of Jewish writings from the period of the Second Temple Judaism – when the Jews returned from Babylonian captivity and built a new Temple. Most of the writings of the Apocrypha are included in the canon the Orthodox and Roman Catholic traditions as well as Eastern Christianity. Also, a group of Jews called the Essenes wrote documents often called the “Dead Sea Scrolls.” An Arab shepherd discovered these Jewish sacred writings in 1947 by chance in the hills overlooking the southwestern shore of the Dead Sea. The Dead Sea Scrolls contain parts of all the Old Testament books, except Esther as well as some parts of apocryphal and pseudepigraphical writings. Moreover, during this period, a Greek translation of the Pentateuch (first five books of the Holy Bible) was made in Egypt around 250 BC, and the rest of the Old Testament was translated in approximately 130 BC. The Greek translation of the Old Testament is called the Septuagint. The Septuagint quickly became the Bible of the Jews outside the Holy Land. Even more, the Septuagint became the Bible of the early church, frequently quoted by the New Testament writers.

Rise and Fall of Empires: In approximately 586 BC, the dominant world power was the Babylonians. God raised up the Babylonians to punish His people for their lack of faithfulness to Him and their continual wickedness (e.g., see 2 Kings 24:2; Habakkuk 1:6). King Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian army marched against Jerusalem in 586 BC and destroyed the first Temple, originally built by King Solomon (2 Kings 25:8-12; see also Jeremiah 52:12-16). In 586 BC, the Jews lost their land, the monarchy, the city of Jerusalem, and their Temple due to Babylonian invasion. The Jewish people lived under the direct control of foreign rulers, without a national identity. The majority of the Jewish people were scattered throughout the world. This scattering is often called the Diaspora or “Dispersion.” Around 538 BC, some faithful Jews returned to Jerusalem and began to rebuild the Temple – the Second Temple (see Ezra 2:1-2). The Second Temple was completed approximately 516 BC under the leadership of Zechariah, Haggai, Ezra, and Nehemiah.

Eventually, God raised up the Persians and the Persians defeated the Babylonians (see Daniel 5:30-31). The Persians became the dominant power at the end of the Old Testament history. In approximately 330 BC, the Greeks under Alexander the Great (356-323 BC) conquered the ancient world and supplanted the Persians. With this rule, the Greeks left a lasting intellectual and cultural mark on the world. In addition to military and political control, Alexander the Great wanted to spread the Greek (Hellenistic) culture and philosophy, including the Greek language around the world. Aristotle trained Alexander, and Alexander wanted to spread the Greek culture to all his conquered states, including the Holy Land. Alexander was committed to the creation of a world united by Greek language and culture. Most of the Holy Land countryside outside of Jerusalem adopted the Greek culture.

Alexander’s short life ended in 323 BC. Following Alexander’s death, his empire was divided among four of his generals. Alexander the Great died in 323 BC without legitimate heirs. From approximately 320 to 198 BC, the Egyptian Ptolemaic Empire controlled the Jewish people and their land. The Ptolemaic Empire was considerate to the Jewish religion. However in approximately 198 BC, the Seleucid (Syrian) Empire to the north of Palestine gained control over the Jewish land from the Ptolemaic Empire. Sadly, the Seleucid attempted to spread the Greek culture through the empire, and the Seleucid disallowed the Jewish people from practicing their traditional way of life, including their religion. The Seleucid’s King Antiochus IV Epiphanes turned the Jerusalem Temple into a pagan shrine, and Jewish persecution was widespread.

Then, God raised up Mattathias, an aged priest, along with his five sons – Judas, Jonathan, Simon, John, and Eleazar. Mattathias and his sons led a revolt against the Seleucids. This triggered the Maccabean revolt that resulted in the independence of God’s people. After Mattathias’ death, the leadership of the Jewish people fell to one of his sons, Judas (call “Maccabeus”). Judas and his successors eventually won independence. In 164 BC, the Jerusalem Temple cleansed, and the daily burnt offerings and other religious ceremonies resumed. This event is still celebrated by the Jews each December as Hanukkah, the “Feast of Lights.”

From 164 BC to 63 BC, the Maccabean controlled the Jewish people. Sadly, some of these Maccabean rulers became progressively dictatorial, corrupt, immoral, and even pagan. Internal strife led Jewish leadership to ask the Roman General Pompey to come and restore order. Pompey did so, but he also brought the Roman rule in the Jewish territory that began in 63 BC. When Pompey of Rome took control of Jerusalem, he entered the Jerusalem Temple and even the Most Holy Place. To the Jewish people, Pompey’s action was the ultimate insult and sacrilege. Hence, deep suspicion and ill will began growing between Rome and the Jewish people that lasted over a century even during the ministry of Jesus. The Romans ruled in the Jewish territory until the fourth century.

In 37 BC, Rome appointed Herod the Great to be “king” of all Palestine. Herod the Great was king when Jesus was born in approximately 5 BC. It was Herod the Great appointed by Rome that killed the Jewish boy babies in Bethlehem (see Matthew 2). Nevertheless, Herod the Great carried out great building projects including enlarging and reconstructing the Second Temple in Jerusalem. After Herod’s death in approximately 4 BC, Rome divided his kingdom amongst his three surviving sons – Herod Archelaus, Herod Antipas, and Herod Phillip II.

The Romans built on the Greeks’ intellectual and cultural marks this through political achievements. Paul and other travelers made good use of the vast system of Roman roads. “Roman Peace” (Pax Romana) brought a measure of security and stability to the empire. However, the Romans’ morals were wicked. The Roman religion included a pantheon of gods and goddess, such as Jupiter, Venus, and Mars (or their Greek counterparts Zeus, Aphrodite, and Ares) (e.g., see Acts 14:11-18; Acts 19:23-27). The ancient cities of Rome were filled with temples dedicated to these gods and goddess (e.g., see Acts 17:16-32). Even more, some Roman cities had household gods they worshiped. Furthermore, the Greek and Roman citizens elevated great conquerors such as Alexander the Great to the status of a god. Some Roman leaders such as Gaius, Caligula, Nero, and Domitian) were known to encourage their worship. Even worse, magic played a central role in the Roman daily life (e.g., see Acts 13:6; Acts 16:16-18; Acts 19:13-20).

Many people including the Jews were restless and yearned to be free from Roman rule. Many, like the prophetess Anna, were patiently “Waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem” (Luke 2:38). Many people, including the Jews, suffered under such wicked Roman leaders as Claudius (AD 41-54) and Nero (AD 54-68). This tension continued until the Jews rebelled against Rome. Eventually, the Jewish people revolted against the Romans AD 66. The Romans lead by Titus destroyed Jerusalem and the Second Temple in AD 70 as predicted by Jesus (e.g. see Matthew 24:1-2; Mark 13:1-4). After the Second Temple’s destruction, the only Jewish section that survived was Rabbinic Judaism. From the second century forward, Jerusalem was a Gentile city and Christianity became mainly a Gentile movement.

Although most people in ancient Rome worshiped multiple gods and goddess (syncretism), some were attracted to Judaism and Christianity because of their beliefs in the one true and living God. Through God’s outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, Christianity grew increasingly popular in ancient Rome. Eventually, Christianity was accepted and declared a legitimate religion under Constantine in the fourth century and grew to become the dominant faith of people throughout the Roman Empire.

Religious Environment: By the mid-300s BC, the Hebrews had been back in their land and rebuilt the Jerusalem Temple – the Second Temple. Before the Babylonian exile in 586 BC, the Jewish religion had been largely Temple-centered and ceremonial. By the completion of the Second Temple around 516 BC, some Jews had decided their religion could survive without the Temple. From the last prophetic voices of Zechariah and Malachi of the Old Testament until the arrival of the angel announcing the births of Jesus and His relatively, John the Baptist, God’s prophets had been silent. The major religious leader was no longer only the priest but also the teacher-rabbi. This resulted in new and different forms of interpretation and the birth of traditions or additional laws, which supposedly expanded and clarified the written Torah. During the New Testament period, these extra rules were taught and passed on both orally and in writing, note the frequent mention of “scribes” in the New Testament (e.g., see Mark 7:1-23).

The Judaism of Jesus’ day was the result of changes that occurred during the intertestamental period. During the Babylonian exile, many of the Jewish people were cut-off from the Temple and dispersed around the world. Many Jewish people developed synagogues during the intertestamental period to maintain their close fellowship with God and study the Torah. Also, during this period arose numerous Jewish parties, denominations, or sects. The best known are the Sadducees, Pharisees, Zealots, and Essenes. The Pharisees were the most influential to the everyday people, and they operated most of the Jewish synagogues. The Sadducees came from aristocratic priestly families, including the high priest Caiaphas. The Sadducees were primarily wealthy, and they controlled the financial interests of the Temple. When Jesus disrupted the Sadducees’ financial interests in the Temple, the Sadducees arrested and condemned Jesus to death (e.g., see Mark 11:15-19; Mark 14:53-65).

When Jesus began to proclaim the Gospel, Sadducees, Essenes, and Pharisees were also laying claim to Israel’s heritage. The Essenes eventually dropped out of public life and became a network of close-knit communities and also authors of the Dead Sea Scrolls. For this reason, the New Testament never discusses the Essenes. The Sadducees and Pharisees continued to compete for control of the Second Temple, and these two groups are the most dominate in the New Testament (e.g., see Acts 5:17; Acts 15:5). However, the Pharisees continued to survive and eventually became the dominant group of the Jewish people and founders of Rabbinic Judaism. The Pharisees also had considerable influence over the local scribes, who would preach in the synagogue according to their interpretations (e.g., see John 9:22; John 12:42).

Final thoughts: God, not earthly rulers, had the ultimate authority over world politics and cultures. Although the ancient world may not have realized, the earth's most powerful kingdoms have always been under God's sovereign control (Proverbs 21:1; see also, e.g., Isaiah 10:5-8).

References:

The ESV Study Bible, English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008).

The Holy Bible NIV 2011 (Grand Rapids, MI: Biblica, 2011).

Zondervan NIV Study Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008).

Loyd, Melton, Ph.D., Professor of New Testament (Due West Campus: Erskine Theological Seminary, 2013).

Jesus Is the Perfect Way!

¹ Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. ² And now in these final days, He has spoken to us through His Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son He created the universe. ³ The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and He sustains everything by the mighty power of His command. When He had cleansed us from our sins, He sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven. ⁴ This shows that the Son is far greater than the angels, just as the Name God gave Him is greater than their names. Hebrews 1:1-4 (NLT)

Are religions very different? Is not the most important thing is to be sincere? Why choose Christianity? Many people in the early church ask these very questions. These early believers in Jesus were Jews and Gentiles and they had converted to the Way – Christianity (e.g., see Acts 9:2; Acts 11:19-21, 26; see also John 14:6). These early Christians risked their lives to follow the Way. In the first century, Christianity did not enjoy Rome’s official protection as the Jewish religion (Judaism). These new Christians suffered greatly under the Roman government. Many of these new Christians were beaten, thrown out of the Jewish temples, and even tortured for their belief in Jesus (e.g. see 1 Thessalonians 2:14-15; Hebrews 10:32-34). Despite the persecution, God’s gracious hand was with these early believers and they continued to grow and spread the Good News about Jesus Christ (e.g., see Acts 2:41, 47; Acts 11:21, 24; Acts 16:5).

The New Testament book of Hebrews gave these early Christians reason to press on and decisively accept the Way and follow Jesus. Point by point, Hebrews shows why Jesus Christ is the only way and better than all other forms of religion (e.g., see Hebrews 10:19-20). Faith in Jesus was worth the risk for these new believers. For the sake of Jewish readers, the unknown author of Hebrews painstakingly cities Old Testament passages more than 80 times to develop the case for Jesus and insists there are decisive reasons to choose Jesus. In fact, the book of Hebrews is actually a commentary on the Old Testament and examines many Old Testament passages to prove that Jesus is better than to the angels (Hebrews 1:5-14), to Moses (Hebrews 3:1-6), and to the priests Aaron and Melchizedek (Hebrews 4:14-7:28).

Jesus brought in “a better hope,” (Hebrews 3:6; Hebrews 7:19) and established “better promises” (Hebrews 8:6) because He radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of the true and living God (Hebrews 1:3; see also John 1:14; John 14:9). Jesus is the Son of the true and living God (Hebrews 1:2, 5; see also Matthew 3:17; Matthew 16:16) and the “author of eternal salvation” (Hebrews 5:9). The only God of the universe made the gracious decision to send His Son, Jesus to earth and become fully human (John 1:1-5, 14). Jesus is not some kind of alien but the Son of God sent to save humanity from their sins (John 3:16-17; see also Matthew 1:21; Luke 2:11; 1 Timothy 2:5-6). Through His death, Jesus “obtained eternal redemption” and peace to all who wholeheartedly believe Him and obey His teachings (see Hebrews 3:18; Hebrews 4:6, 11; Hebrews 9:12; see also John 14:15; John 15:9-14, 17). Jesus graciously shares with believers “the promise of eternal inheritance” (Hebrews 9:15). Jesus’ throne is forever (Hebrews 1:8) and He is our Great High Priest forever (Hebrews 5:6; Hebrews 6:20; Hebrews 7:17, 21). So let everyone remain totally committed to Jesus Christ (e.g., see Acts 11:23; Acts 14:22). Jesus is the perfect way (Hebrews 7:22)!

¹⁴ So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. ¹⁵ This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for He faced all of the same testing we do, yet He did not sin. ¹⁶ So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. Hebrews 4:14-16 (NLT)

References

The New Student Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1992).

The Holy Bible NIV 2011 (Grand Rapids, MI: Biblica, 2011).

Wiersbe, Warren W. Bible Exposition Commentary – New Testament (Victor Books, 1989).

Quality of Great Leaders

Moses to Israel: ⁹ At that time I (Moses) said, “I am not able to take care of you (Israel) by myself. ¹⁰ The LORD your God has made you grow in number so that there are as many of you as there are stars in the sky. ¹¹ I pray that the LORD, the God of your ancestors, will give you a thousand times more people and do all the wonderful things He promised. ¹² But I cannot take care of your problems, your troubles, and your arguments by myself. ¹³ So choose some men from each tribe—wise men who have understanding and experience—and I will make them leaders over you.” ¹⁴ And you (Israel) said, “That’s a good thing to do.” ¹⁵ So I took the wise and experienced leaders of your tribes, and I made them your leaders. I appointed commanders over a thousand people, over a hundred people, over fifty people, and over ten people and made them officers over your tribes. Deuteronomy 1:9-15 (NCV)

After leaving Egypt, Moses led the great and vast people of Israel (Deuteronomy 1:9-11). God called Moses to lead Israel, to judge any quarrels and problems amongst the people and seek God’s will for the ancient Israelites (Deuteronomy 1:9, 12; see also Exodus 18:13-15, 19; Numbers 11:10-12). As God’s representative, Moses would resolve the Israelites’ disputes based upon God’s laws and decrees (see Exodus 18:15-16, 19-20). Because the people of Israel were numerous (Deuteronomy 1:10-11), Moses could not solely manage the people’s problems and disputes (Deuteronomy 1:12). Moses was a great leader and a spiritual giant, but even he could do only so much (see Exodus 18:17-18, 22-23; Numbers 11:14, 17).

God instructed Moses to select some wise, understanding, honest, trustworthy, and experienced men from each of the Twelve Tribes of Israel and appoint these godly men as judges and officials to help him lead the people of Israel (Deuteronomy 1:13-14; see also Exodus 18:20-22; Deuteronomy 16:18-20; Acts 6:3). Moses selected godly and respected men and commissioned them as leaders in charge of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens to resolve any disputes and help the Israelites in every way (Deuteronomy 1:15; see also Exodus 18:21, 25). Also, Moses taught these God-fearing men God’s decrees and laws and showed them the way to live and the duties they were to perform (Deuteronomy 1:18; see also Exodus 18:20). These selected men were to assist Moses in judging the people’s issues, but Moses was to resolve any difficult cases (Deuteronomy 1:17; see also Exodus 18:22, 26; Numbers 11:16).

Moses to Israel:  ¹⁶ “At that time I (Moses) instructed the judges, ‘You must hear the cases of your fellow Israelites and the foreigners living among you. Be perfectly fair in your decisions ¹⁷ and impartial (unprejudiced) in your judgments. Hear the cases of those who are poor as well as those who are rich. Do not be afraid of anyone’s anger, for the decision you make is God’s decision. Bring me (Moses) any cases that are too difficult for you, and I will handle them.’ ¹⁸ At that time, I gave you instructions about everything you were to do.” Deuteronomy 1:16-18 (NLT)

At the same time, Moses instructed these honest, God-fearing, and experienced judges to be perfectly fair at all times, even to foreigners (Deuteronomy 1:16; see also Exodus 22:21-22; Exodus 23:8). Moses instructed these leaders to listen carefully to complaints and accusations amongst the people and to judge every case fairly and impartially, regardless of their nationality, race, social position, or wealth (Deuteronomy 1:16-17; see also 1 Kings 3:9). Moses encouraged these leaders not to play favorites because one was rich but to be fair and impartial to great and small alike; listening carefully to each dispute (Deuteronomy 1:17; see also Leviticus 19:15; Deuteronomy 16:18; Acts 10:34-35; James 2:1). These judges and officials were neither to pervert justice, show partiality nor to accept a bribe and twists the words of the innocent but follow justice and justice alone for all people (Deuteronomy 16:19-20; see also Exodus 23:2-3, 6-9).

God wanted these judges and officials to imitate His ways in all matters (Deuteronomy 10:17; see also 2 Chronicles 19:7). The LORD God shows no partiality and accepts no bribes (Deuteronomy 10:17; see also Leviticus 19:15-16). The true and living God defends the cause of the fatherless and widows, and loves the foreigner, giving them food and clothing (Deuteronomy 10:18; see also Exodus 22:21, 22-24; Deuteronomy 24:19). God expects everyone, particularly His judges and leading officials to love people and to be fair and just in all matters (Deuteronomy 10:19; see also Leviticus 19:33-34).

Moreover, the leaders were not fear the people’s displeasure because they were judging in the place of God, who is the ultimate Judge of all (Deuteronomy 1:17; see also Proverbs 29:25). Any disputes that were too difficult for the leaders were to be given to Moses for a final decision (Deuteronomy 1:17). These instructions created a chain of command between Moses and the people so that he did not have to get involved in every minor dispute. Moses could devote himself to talking with God and helping to settle the most significant problems amongst the people.

The instructions Moses gave to the newly appointed judges and officials is one that should be followed by everybody who serves in positions of authority, whether religious or civil (Deuteronomy 1:16-18; see also Deuteronomy 16:18-20). The emphasis is on honesty, mercy, and fairness toward all people and the realization that God is the ultimate Judge and the final authority  (1 Samuel 2:3; see also Psalm 50:6; Psalm 75:7). Throughout the Law of Moses, God emphasized justice, mercy, fairness, honesty, and kindness to the poor, especially widows, orphans, and aliens in the land (e.g., see e.g. Exodus 22:21-24; Leviticus 19:9-10; Deuteronomy 14:28-29; Deuteronomy 16:9-12; Deuteronomy 24:17-21). Frequently the Old Testament prophets thundered against the wealthy  because they were abusing the poor and the helpless in the land (e.g. see Isaiah 1:23-25; Isaiah 10:1-3; Jeremiah 7:1-6; Jeremiah 22:3; Hosea 6:6 Amos 2:6-7; Amos 5:11; Micah 6:6-8; Zechariah 7:8). The New Testament also speaks on the importance of fairness, honesty, mercy, and kindness to the poor and needy (e.g. see Matthew 9:13; Matthew 12:7; Matthew 25:31-46; Hebrews 13:1-5; James 1:26-27; James 2:15-16; James 5:1-6).

References

The Holy Bible NIV 2011 (Grand Rapids, MI: Biblica, 2011).

Zondervan NIV Study Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008).

Wiersbe, Warren W. Bible Exposition Commentary – Old Testament (Victor Books, 1989).

Trusting and Obeying God

² Normally it takes only eleven days to travel from Mount Sinai to Kadesh-barnea [on the border of the Promised Land], going by way of Mount Seir. ³ But forty years after the Israelites left Egypt, on the first day of the eleventh month, Moses addressed the people of Israel, telling them everything the LORD had commanded him to say. Deuteronomy 1:2-3 (NLT)

One of the most dramatic examples from the Holy Bible for wholeheartedly trusting and obeying the true and living God are the events of the wilderness wandering (see Deuteronomy 1). While in Egypt, God had graciously and lovingly multiplied Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob’s descendants a thousand times more, and God blessed and protected them as He promised (Deuteronomy 1:10-11; see also Genesis 15:5-7; Genesis 22:17; Exodus 32:13). Then, God delivered the ancient Israelites from Egyptian bondage by His mighty power and then brought the Israelites to Mount Sinai (Horeb or mountain of God) (see Exodus 6:1-2; Exodus 14:14; Exodus 19:1). At Mount Sinai, God revealed to Israel His great power and glory, and He gave the Israelites His covenant as recorded in Exodus chapters 20 through 24, Leviticus, and Numbers. The book of Deuteronomy summarizes God’s gracious covenant with Israel. Once receiving God’s covenant, God instructed the Israelites to go into the good land promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all of their descendants (Deuteronomy 1:8, 20-25; see also Genesis 13:14-18; Genesis 15:7-21; Exodus 3:7-8; Numbers 10:11-13; Numbers 13:26-27; Numbers 14:7-8; Joshua 1:2-4). The ancient Israelites’ trip from Mount Sinai to Kadesh Barnea [on the border of the Promised Land] was only an eleven-day journey (Deuteronomy 1:2). However, the ancient Israelites stayed at Mount Sinai forty years (Deuteronomy 1:3, 6; see also Hebrews 3:7-9). Why may you ask?

Moses to Israel: ²⁹ “But I said to you, ‘Do not be shocked or afraid of them (Israel’s enemies)! ³⁰ The LORD your God is going ahead of you. He will fight for you, just as you saw Him do in Egypt. ³¹ And you saw how the LORD your God cared for you all along the way as you traveled through the wilderness, just as a father cares for his child. Now He has brought you to this place.’ ³² But even after all He did, you refused to trust the LORD your God, ³³ who goes before you looking for the best places to camp, guiding you with a pillar of fire by night and a pillar of cloud by day.” Deuteronomy 1:29-33 (NLT)

Sadly, the ancient Israelites doubted God and refused to trust in God’s continued power, grace, and glorious protection to lead them to the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 1:26-28; see also Numbers 14:20-23). The ancient Israelites rebelled and complained against God because they believed that the true and living God was not strong enough to protect and provide for them and their families against their enemies (Deuteronomy 1:26-28; see also Numbers 13:28-29). The ancient Israelites were filled with fear and wavering unbelief as they were walking by sight and not by faith in the LORD God's promises (Deuteronomy 1:21; see also 2 Corinthians 5:7; James 1:5-8). Moses, along with Aaron, Caleb, and Joshua, encouraged the people not to be afraid or discouraged because the LORD God was powerful and mighty, and He would protect and care for them against their enemies (Deuteronomy 1:21, 29-31; see also Exodus 19:4; Numbers 13:30; Numbers 14:5-9). God had graciously and miraculously protected and provided from Israel, and He wanted the people to continue to obey and trust in Him (Numbers 14:11). However, the ancient Israelites treated God’s loving goodness with contempt and refused to obey and trust in the LORD God’s glorious grace, power, love, and protection (Deuteronomy 1:30, 32-33; see also Numbers 14:11; Psalm 78:11-14, 42-43). The LORD God is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion to those that love Him and obey His teachings (Numbers 14:18; see also Exodus 20:6; Exodus 34:6; Psalm 103:8; James 5:11). However, the LORD God punishes continual sinfulness, wickedness, and rebellion (Numbers 14:18; see also Exodus 34:7; Joshua 24:19; Nahum 1:3).

The true and living God heard the Israelites complaining and became very angry (Deuteronomy 1:34). God promised that not one person in that entire generation would live to see the good land He had promised Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all of their descendants, except Caleb and Joshua (Deuteronomy 1:34-36, 38; see also Numbers 14:23-24, 28-30; Hebrews 3:11). Not even Moses was allowed into the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 1:37; see also Numbers 27:12-14). Caleb and Joshua were excluded from God’s punishment because they wholeheartedly believed, trusted, and obeyed the LORD God (Deuteronomy 1:36, 38; see also Numbers 14:23-24). Thus, millions of Israelites died in the wilderness wandering the desert around Mount Sinai (Horeb) and did not see God’s Promised Land (Deuteronomy 1:40). However, God’s grace allowed the ancient Israelites’ children to see the land promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and their descendants (Deuteronomy 1:39; see also Numbers 14:31; Numbers 32:8-13).

Upon receiving God’s punishment, the Israelites confessed their sins to God and decided to go into the Promised Land and conquer the land as previously instructed by the LORD God (Deuteronomy 1:41; see also Numbers 14:39-40). The ancient Israelites strapped on their weapons and arrogantly (presumptively) thinking it would be easy to conquer the whole area (Deuteronomy 1:41, 43). However, Moses warned the ancient Israelites that God’s protecting and glorious Presence would not with them to protect them from their enemies (Deuteronomy 1:42). Sadly, Israel’s rebellion and disobedience against the LORD God removed God’s protecting Presence from their lives (Deuteronomy 1:42-43; see also Numbers 14:41-43). Israel’s enemies who lived in the Promised Land came out and defeated Israel’s attempt to take the land without God’s protecting Presence (Deuteronomy 1:44-45).

After their humiliating defeat, the ancient Israelites weep and cried out to God (Deuteronomy 1:45). However, God refused to listen to their cries and weeping because of their disobedience and rebellion (Deuteronomy 1:45; see also e.g., Proverbs 28:9-10; Isaiah 1:15-17; Micah 3:4; John 9:31). The people of Israel stayed in the wilderness wandering the desert for 40 years on a journey that should have lasted 11 days as punishment for their disobedience and rebellion towards God (Deuteronomy 1:46; see also Numbers 14:33-35).

The writer of Hebrews uses the story Israel’s disobedience and lack of trust to warn New Testament believers to remain continually faithful and obedient to God’s Son and Messenger, Jesus (Hebrews 3:7-12; see also Hebrews 1:2-3). Jesus, God’s faithful Son, is in complete charge of God’s house and we Christians are God’s house (Hebrews 3:6; see also 1 Corinthians 3:16). Jesus lives in Christians if we keep up our courage firm to the end, and our joy and our trust in the LORD God (Hebrews 3:6, 14).

⁷ That is why the Holy Spirit says, “Today when you hear His voice, ⁸ do not harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled, when they tested Me in the wilderness. ⁹ There your ancestors tested and tried My patience, even though they saw My miracles for forty years. ¹⁰ So I was angry with them, and I said, ‘Their hearts always turn away from Me. They refuse to do what I tell them.’ ¹¹ So in My anger I took an oath: ‘They will never enter My place of rest.’” ¹² Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters. Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God. Hebrews 3:7-12 (NLT)

References

The Holy Bible NIV 2011 (Grand Rapids, MI: Biblica, 2011).

The Living Bible Paraphrase (Tyndale House, 1971).

Wiersbe, Warren W. Bible Exposition Commentary – New Testament (Victor Books, 1989).

Is God Real?

³⁵ You were shown these things so that you might know that the LORD is God; besides Him there is no other. . . . ³⁹ Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the LORD is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other. Deuteronomy 4:35, 39 (NIV)

One of the most fundamental principles of the Holy Bible is that God exists (Deuteronomy 6:4; see also Matthew 22:37-38; Mark 12:29-30; Luke 10:27; Ephesians 4:6; James 2:19). There is no other god besides the true and living LORD God (Deuteronomy 4:35, 39), and He is the Father of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 8:4-6). God the Father is the ultimate source of all creation (see Nehemiah 9:6; Isaiah 37:16; Acts 4:24; Romans 11:36). God's Son Jesus is the dynamic One through whom, with the Father, all things came into existence (see John 1:3; Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:2). The true and living God is not only the God of the Jews, but He is also the God of all nations both in heaven and on earth (see Exodus 8:10; 1 Samuel 1:2; Daniel 4:2-3, 37; Daniel 6:26-27; Acts 17:16, 22-31).

Another fundamental principle of the Holy Bible is that the true and living God is to be WORSHIPPED, LOVED, HONORED, OBEYED, AND RESPECTED FIRST (see Deuteronomy 5:7; Deuteronomy 6:4-6). During His earthly ministry, Jesus Christ announced the first and most important commandment of the entire Holy Bible is to “love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength” (Mark 12:30; see also Matthew 22:37-38) and to obey the LORD God’s teachings (see Matthew 4:10). Worshipping anyone or any created thing is sinful and worthless (see Deuteronomy 6:13; Psalm 115:8; Romans 1:18). The LORD God is a devouring fire; He is a jealous God (Deuteronomy 4:24, see also Exodus 20:5; Hebrews 12:29). Yet, the LORD God is a merciful God; He will not abandon you or destroy you (Deuteronomy 4:31; see also Exodus 34:6; Psalm 111:4). Besides, our genuine love, faithfulness, and obedience to the LORD God bring long life and peace not only to ourselves but also to our household (see Deuteronomy 4:1-4, 39-40; Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Proverbs 3:1-6).

Even more, our obedience to God and His teachings found in the Holy Bible displays our wisdom, intelligence, and understanding among others (Deuteronomy 4:6-8; Psalm 19:7; Psalm 119:98; 2 Timothy 3:15). Most important, our love and obedience to the true and living God and His Word pleases and glorifies Him and shows our continual reverence for Him (Deuteronomy 4:10). Our evil deeds and actions provoke the LORD God to anger and His wrath (Deuteronomy 4:25; see also Romans 1:18-32). Nevertheless, the LORD God is gracious and merciful to forgive our sins and tribulation when we turn and seek Him with all our hearts and with all our souls and be obedient to His teachings (Deuteronomy 4:29-30; see also 1 John 1:9). For the LORD God is a merciful God; He will not abandon or destroy you when you wholeheartedly turn to Him and away from your sins (Deuteronomy 4:31).

¹⁶ While Paul was waiting for them (Silas and Timothy) in Athens, he was deeply troubled by all the idols he saw everywhere in the city. . . . ²² So Paul, standing before the council, addressed them as follows: “Men of Athens, I notice that you are very religious in every way, ²³ for as I was walking along I saw your many shrines. And one of your altars had this inscription on it: ‘To an Unknown God.’ This God, whom you worship without knowing, is the One I am telling you about. ²⁴ He is the God who made the world and everything in it. Since He is Lord of heaven and earth, He does not live in man-made temples, ²⁵ and human hands cannot serve His needs—for He has no needs. He Himself gives life and breath to everything, and He satisfies every need. ²⁶ From one man He created all the nations throughout the whole earth. He decided beforehand when they should rise and fall, and He determined their boundaries. ²⁷ His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward Him and find Him—though He is not far from any one of us. ²⁸ For in Him we live and move and exist. As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are His offspring.’ ²⁹ And since this is true, we should not think of God as an idol designed by craftsmen from gold or silver or stone. ³⁰ God overlooked people’s ignorance about these things in earlier times, but now He commands everyone everywhere to repent of their sins and turn to Him. ³¹  For He has set a day for judging the world with justice by the Man He has appointed, and He proved to everyone who this is by raising Him (Jesus) from the dead.” Acts 17:16, 22-31 (NLT)

References

The New Student Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1992).

The Holy Bible NIV 2011 (Grand Rapids, MI: Biblica, 2011).

Zondervan NIV Study Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008).