Setting the Stage ~ How Judaism Developed from Kingdom Division to Roman Occupation
As we travel through ancient Jewish history in Section 1 of our adventure, we will discover how the various groups we see in the New Testament – Samaritans, Pharisees, Sadducees, synagogues, and others – came to occupy that place in society and how Daniel’s prophecies ignighted such strong expectations of Messiah’s coming.
We begin our study of the life of Yeshua haNotzri (Jesus of Nazareth) by looking at the history of His people…
Yeshua was not born into a vacuum but into Jewish society that had been moulded not only by Moses and the prophets but also by their entire history. To understand the original apostolic reformation, what Yeshua was fulfilling, affirming and critiquing in first century Judaism, we need some comprehension of how His society had been moulded and was functioning at this time. The Jewish religion was not just a theoretical construct but intimately entwined with their history such that it has been stated that: “without their religion they had no history, and without their history no religion”. (1)
Over the next few blogs we will see how prophesy was woven into Jewish history and how the latter books of the Hebrew scriptures fit together chronologically.
Thus, we begin our study of the life of Yeshua haNotzri by looking at the history of His people from kingdom division to Roman occupation. This history led to fervent expectations of a coming Jewish Messiah. It is the history of a stubborn and rebellious people whom God nonetheless continued loving and choosing to be His own.
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1. Edersheim, Alfred.The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah. Grand Rapids, Ml: : Christian Classics Ethereal Library, 1886.
This is the period that we will be looking at in Section 1, so that we can understand the world that Jesus was born into. The land occupied by the Divided Kingdoms, and their neighbours.
In the comments below share with us about the history and culture of your people…
Author: Anita
"For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption."
1 Cor. 1:26-30 ESV
These verses are the story of my life. A shy, introverted woman who didn't know how to relate to others and had a fear of anyone in authority - foolish, weak, low and despised. The most unlikely candidate for any position of leadership. But God delights to choose such, to take those who are not and make them something in Christ, to do the impossible through the unlikely. In 2006 Jesus sent me to the nations with His glorious gospel to set the captives free and prepare His bride for the wedding of the Lamb.
View all posts by Anita
11 thoughts on “Setting the Stage ~ How Judaism Developed from Kingdom Division to Roman Occupation”
The brief history of Kenya. This is a country which was traditional and some tribes were friendly while others were hostile. We had our own God’s. Each tribe had it’s own way of worship. Some worshiped the moon, the sun and other idols. The white man arrived in Kenya through the coast of Mombasa I n 1844 coming with a lot of developments purporting to have discovered a new land. So we were colonised by the British.
Christianity started by Chury Missionary Society (CMS). It started penetrating slowly amidst opposition and rebellion from various ethnic groups. But due to colonialism it became forceful. Why ? Because the colonialists wanted to cool the hostile communities so they can have peace to enjoy our resources, which they then managed. The word of God then started spreading and Mission stations built through people like John Rebman, Ludwig Craf and David Livingston and the rest. Many missionaries had challenges, facing death of Malaria, being murdered, killed by Lions etc. But because God had purposed the gospel to reach us, here we are. We thank God for the early missionaries who despite many obstacles they and challenges they never gave up. We also must emulate them by going places to evangelize despite whatever challenges we may find. Yeshua did not have it easy on this Earth, He met many obstacles, oppositions but He had to accomplish His Mission. We as his followers, we have been given the mandate to “go therefore and make disciples of all Nations……”( ESV Matt 28:19)
We must do it to fulfill the command.
Ghana used to be called Gold Coast because there was a lot of gold on the shores of the sea when the Portuguese arrived here in 1471.
The name was changed to Ghana on 6th March 1957 when the country had her independence from the British.Ghana has a very beautiful calture which makes the country very peaceful.
culture permeates through the religions in the country.
Culture is what identifie us as Ghanaians.
Religious practices
in Ghana are based on cultural context in that without understanding the culture of the Ghanaian society you cannot practise your beliefs.Ghanains are one people however, politics and religious divisions have set us apart because everyone wants to be rich overnight
We can be good Christians if we can make people see christ in our own cultural identity should we focus on things above.
Ones culture makes hin or her so culture and history are twins you can’t leave eitherog them.we must therefore take heed of history and culture.
For many years ago, Ghana was called Gold Coast. Closely following the history, Gold Coast was charged to call Ghana through politics.
In Ghana, we have different ethnic groups with different culture. Objectively reading about culture in Ghana, there are a lot of positives that was helping our people to live together in peace. Respect, humility, and benevolent were common practice in the greater part of the people. It is the culture system where brothers and sisters care for each other, and where even distant cousins are called brothers and sisters. Easy to receive strangers. Out culture can be found in Christianity where everyone is called brothers and sisters.
Unfortunately, politics and false ministers with false teachings are corrupted the culture. Politicians are using partisan politics to create separation among the people. Sadly, so called men of God create division among parents and children, families, friends and brothers and sisters.
My country, Australia, has two distinct cultures. A native culture unique to the Aboriginal people who inhabited this country before settlement by the British and an imported culture largely from the countries of Great Britain – England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales. My ancestry is Scottish. I was born into this country when the influence of Britain and Christian faith were still dominant in society. The Aboriginal culture and imported multinational culture are distinctly separate within our country. My childhood, teenage years, young and middle adulthood were spent rebelling against Christ. Turning my back on Christ to take on worldly attitudes and values that did not sit comfortably with me, however, I believed these values were the ones that I needed to succeed in this world.
At 55 years of age, confused, disappointed and lost is where Christ found me.
This is Pastor Pradeep Kumar, I came from very radical, stubborn and religious fanatic group from my place. They are many tribes in our place (caste system), in our community gives much important to religious traditions. They are mainly four caste system in our society and each main caste- they are sub groups too. I belongs to third one- in it they are many groups. Our people used to give much priority religious traditions. Each group of people and also each family having specific god or goddess. And some people will keep the name of god – to boys, some will keep the name of goddess- to girls. Our people sacrifice animals to these gods for each Sunday through out the year.
Every tribe or Nation has a history concerning it’s culture.The Israelis have a well written or documented culture in the Bible
In Uganda,I belong to a tribe know as Basoga. Culture of Basoga is that greeting each other is the only way of expressing love and keeping their culture. I magine greeting while shaking hands takes3 minutes and in these 3 minutes you are to know the health,wealthy and the like of your friend
Many questions and answers are within that 3 minutes greeting.It is an expression of love,unity and caring for each other in the Basoga tribe
I live in a nation with the culture of the leader being boss, revered and respected if not feared by all. There is that difference between the haves and the have not, the ruling and the rules,etc. There are many traditions with many God’s and believes. All of that unfortunately influence the church here. It is so heart breaking to see that our traditions have invaded the church. This has caused going to church to be a social obligation with no spiritual implications.
With God challenging hearts and bringing up of Minister’s who value the Bible more than tradition, things are changing slowly since those Minister’s are still few.
Thanks for the setting for study of Jewish period of Kings to the time of Roman occupation of Palestine. Thanks for this important work. We keep you in prayers. I may have inputs into that later.
We faithfully serve in Christ’s Mission by first and foremost be sincere and that is we don’t attached anything like what will be our personal gain and benefit. We have to valued the death of Christ on the Cross and how He set us free from our sins and have the same feeling for the people we serve.
We need to be more committed by serving the Lord with all our hearts, mind, strength, and soul. We have to be teachable, and faithfully in all our undertakings as every one will give an account to God whether good or bad.
Judaism developed from Kingdom Division to Roman occupation by looking at the history of His people, a history which led to fervent expectations of a coming Jewish Messiah. It is the history of a stubborn and rebellious people whom God nonetheless continued loving and choosing to be His own.
Before the Missionaries could come to my country the entire citizenry were living in total darkness by serving false gods, and without hope, fear was another factor that my people lived by until the our heavenly Father sent these committed servants to reach us the good news which brings life eternal through His only begotten Son whom came to die for all mankind.
Our culture in Liberia is that everyone is to join the “Country Society” where people practice all sorts of witch crafting, or by having voodoo for protection against witchcraft or any bad person that can easily harm you.
We are thankful to God that now we have known the truth which has set us free.
The brief history of Kenya. This is a country which was traditional and some tribes were friendly while others were hostile. We had our own God’s. Each tribe had it’s own way of worship. Some worshiped the moon, the sun and other idols. The white man arrived in Kenya through the coast of Mombasa I n 1844 coming with a lot of developments purporting to have discovered a new land. So we were colonised by the British.
Christianity started by Chury Missionary Society (CMS). It started penetrating slowly amidst opposition and rebellion from various ethnic groups. But due to colonialism it became forceful. Why ? Because the colonialists wanted to cool the hostile communities so they can have peace to enjoy our resources, which they then managed. The word of God then started spreading and Mission stations built through people like John Rebman, Ludwig Craf and David Livingston and the rest. Many missionaries had challenges, facing death of Malaria, being murdered, killed by Lions etc. But because God had purposed the gospel to reach us, here we are. We thank God for the early missionaries who despite many obstacles they and challenges they never gave up. We also must emulate them by going places to evangelize despite whatever challenges we may find. Yeshua did not have it easy on this Earth, He met many obstacles, oppositions but He had to accomplish His Mission. We as his followers, we have been given the mandate to “go therefore and make disciples of all Nations……”( ESV Matt 28:19)
We must do it to fulfill the command.
HISTORY AND CULTURE OF GHANA.
Ghana used to be called Gold Coast because there was a lot of gold on the shores of the sea when the Portuguese arrived here in 1471.
The name was changed to Ghana on 6th March 1957 when the country had her independence from the British.Ghana has a very beautiful calture which makes the country very peaceful.
culture permeates through the religions in the country.
Culture is what identifie us as Ghanaians.
Religious practices
in Ghana are based on cultural context in that without understanding the culture of the Ghanaian society you cannot practise your beliefs.Ghanains are one people however, politics and religious divisions have set us apart because everyone wants to be rich overnight
We can be good Christians if we can make people see christ in our own cultural identity should we focus on things above.
Ones culture makes hin or her so culture and history are twins you can’t leave eitherog them.we must therefore take heed of history and culture.
For many years ago, Ghana was called Gold Coast. Closely following the history, Gold Coast was charged to call Ghana through politics.
In Ghana, we have different ethnic groups with different culture. Objectively reading about culture in Ghana, there are a lot of positives that was helping our people to live together in peace. Respect, humility, and benevolent were common practice in the greater part of the people. It is the culture system where brothers and sisters care for each other, and where even distant cousins are called brothers and sisters. Easy to receive strangers. Out culture can be found in Christianity where everyone is called brothers and sisters.
Unfortunately, politics and false ministers with false teachings are corrupted the culture. Politicians are using partisan politics to create separation among the people. Sadly, so called men of God create division among parents and children, families, friends and brothers and sisters.
My country, Australia, has two distinct cultures. A native culture unique to the Aboriginal people who inhabited this country before settlement by the British and an imported culture largely from the countries of Great Britain – England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales. My ancestry is Scottish. I was born into this country when the influence of Britain and Christian faith were still dominant in society. The Aboriginal culture and imported multinational culture are distinctly separate within our country. My childhood, teenage years, young and middle adulthood were spent rebelling against Christ. Turning my back on Christ to take on worldly attitudes and values that did not sit comfortably with me, however, I believed these values were the ones that I needed to succeed in this world.
At 55 years of age, confused, disappointed and lost is where Christ found me.
This is Pastor Pradeep Kumar, I came from very radical, stubborn and religious fanatic group from my place. They are many tribes in our place (caste system), in our community gives much important to religious traditions. They are mainly four caste system in our society and each main caste- they are sub groups too. I belongs to third one- in it they are many groups. Our people used to give much priority religious traditions. Each group of people and also each family having specific god or goddess. And some people will keep the name of god – to boys, some will keep the name of goddess- to girls. Our people sacrifice animals to these gods for each Sunday through out the year.
Every tribe or Nation has a history concerning it’s culture.The Israelis have a well written or documented culture in the Bible
In Uganda,I belong to a tribe know as Basoga. Culture of Basoga is that greeting each other is the only way of expressing love and keeping their culture. I magine greeting while shaking hands takes3 minutes and in these 3 minutes you are to know the health,wealthy and the like of your friend
Many questions and answers are within that 3 minutes greeting.It is an expression of love,unity and caring for each other in the Basoga tribe
I live in a nation with the culture of the leader being boss, revered and respected if not feared by all. There is that difference between the haves and the have not, the ruling and the rules,etc. There are many traditions with many God’s and believes. All of that unfortunately influence the church here. It is so heart breaking to see that our traditions have invaded the church. This has caused going to church to be a social obligation with no spiritual implications.
With God challenging hearts and bringing up of Minister’s who value the Bible more than tradition, things are changing slowly since those Minister’s are still few.
Dear Sister Anita,
Thanks for the setting for study of Jewish period of Kings to the time of Roman occupation of Palestine. Thanks for this important work. We keep you in prayers. I may have inputs into that later.
We faithfully serve in Christ’s Mission by first and foremost be sincere and that is we don’t attached anything like what will be our personal gain and benefit. We have to valued the death of Christ on the Cross and how He set us free from our sins and have the same feeling for the people we serve.
We need to be more committed by serving the Lord with all our hearts, mind, strength, and soul. We have to be teachable, and faithfully in all our undertakings as every one will give an account to God whether good or bad.
Judaism developed from Kingdom Division to Roman occupation by looking at the history of His people, a history which led to fervent expectations of a coming Jewish Messiah. It is the history of a stubborn and rebellious people whom God nonetheless continued loving and choosing to be His own.
Before the Missionaries could come to my country the entire citizenry were living in total darkness by serving false gods, and without hope, fear was another factor that my people lived by until the our heavenly Father sent these committed servants to reach us the good news which brings life eternal through His only begotten Son whom came to die for all mankind.
Our culture in Liberia is that everyone is to join the “Country Society” where people practice all sorts of witch crafting, or by having voodoo for protection against witchcraft or any bad person that can easily harm you.
We are thankful to God that now we have known the truth which has set us free.