A Time Between Testaments-Wicked, Determined Herod

By Mary Vee
Between the Old and New Testament
Around 44 BC to the Beginning of the New Testament

From the Historical records

The time in between time. 

Four hundred years are in the process of passing since God last spoke through a prophet to His people.

Remember we are counting backwards to year 0. The year is around 63 BC. (before Christ)

    400 BC                           300 BC                        200 BC                        100 BC                          Birth of Christ
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----|

The time between the Testaments is coming to a close. .

Antipater, the man appointed king of Judah by Caesar had a son and named him Herod.

Herod grew up in Rome and received a Roman education. He made friends with the children of Caesar. He was a very smart man but also was considered a madman who became violent against his enemies and his friends. His problems could have partially due to the lead lined pipes in which water was provided. Others had suffered madness from this very reason.

When he was twenty, Herod became governor and ruler over Jews in the Galilee area. He built strong fortresses that overlooked the roads using Jewish slaves and money.

Back in Rome, Caesar was very popular. The people really liked him, but there were those who were jealous of his power and popularity. Julius Caesar, emperor of all Rome was killed by men in the Roman Senate. The people were shocked and upset. The government became a mess. Men fought to take power.

Antipater who still ruled in Jerusalem was poisoned. His son, Herod, suspected Hyrcanus the Jew and former king.

A rebellion rose up against Herod to get rid of him. He had every man in the rebellion captured and killed without a trial.

The Sanhedrin, one of the groups of Jewish priests ordered Herod to stand trial. Most of the Sanhedrin were afraid to stand up to Herod when he arrived with his army, but one man did. Shamai. 

The rest of the Sanhedrin refused to back Shamai because they were afraid of Herod. The trial was stopped. That night, Hyrcanus visited Herod. "Look, if you will leave in peace, I will smooth things over with the Sanhedrin. But, you must promise that if you ever gain power, I will be given a high position with you."

Herod left but was called to stand trial with the Romans. The Roman rulers sided with Herod and made him not only governor over Galilee again but also Jerusalem.

The Jews desperately wanted to get rid of Herod. He was a cruel madman. When a new man came into power in Rome, a man who did not like Herod, the Jews thought they would finally get rid of him.

War broke out against Rome the winners conquered Judah. Herod escaped. After he left, a Jew was appointed king in Jerusalem. Herod put on a disguise and fled to Rome. He begged the leader to let him be king in Jerusalem again. The leaders said, okay, and gave him troops to take back the city.

Herod marched to Judea, conquered it by killing 13,000 men and became king, again. There were two sections of priests. The Sadducees and the Pharisees. The Sadducees were loyal to Herod. The Pharisees were not.

The people preferred to listen to the Pharisees as their religious leaders.

Herod died in 4 AD

And so begins the New Testament.

What happens next?Come back next time.

This is the history, the events that happened to real people during the time between the Old and New Testaments. 

*********************************************************************************************

sources: 
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*The Hanukkah Book by Marilyn Burns, Four Winds Press, Macmillan Publishing Company, 1981
* Jewish History.org
*Jewish Virtual Library.org
*The Hasmonean Dynasty

Time Between Testaments-The Sacrifice That Took Done a Country

By Mary Vee
Between the Old and New Testament
Around 64 BC

From the Historical records

The time in between time. 

Four hundred years are in the process of passing since God last spoke through a prophet to His people.

Remember we are counting backwards to year 0. The year is around 143 BC. (before Christ)

    400 BC                           300 BC                        200 BC                        100 BC                          Birth of Christ
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------|

And so the Macabees led the Hasmoneans. 

The Hasmoneans were Jews who allowed the Greeks to influence their culture and had veered away from worshiping the Jewish God.

Simon from the Macabees became king, drawing all the Jews together. The temple was restored and worship returned to what Moses had said. This didn't take away the Greek culture that had influence the Hasmonean people. 

Time went by, people grew old and a new queen, Salome was on the throne. The Jews continued to worship God in the Temple as Moses instructed. She had two sons. The older, Hyrcanus and the younger, Aristobulus. On her death bed, Salome named Hyrcanus, the weaker one, the next king. Aristobulus, the stronger one, fierce, and the popular one among the people, was not happy with the decision.

The two fought among themselves. Jews from all around took sides. Civil war broke out.

King Hyrcanus ruled from Jericho instead of Jerusalem. Aristobulus had his army in Jerusalem. On and on the two brothers and their armies fought, destroying buildings, homes, and businesses. 

Aristobulus rallied his army and attacked Jericho, winning the battle. In exchange for his life, Hyrcanus gave up the throne. For a few weeks, there was peace in the land. 

One of Hyrcanus advisors, Antipater, said, "You can take back your throne. Your mother gave it to you." He continued to push his message until Hyrcanus gave in. An army was formed to fight his brother to take back the crown. "I'll take care of everything for you," said Antipater. "I'll lead the battle while you hide here."

Antipater did as he said. His army of rebellion moved into the city and chased Aristobulus and his men far back into the city. They hid in the temple behind courtyard walls surrounding the temple where Antipater and his army couldn't reach them. These wall formed a mighty fortress. As long as Aristobulus stayed inside, he and his army would be safe for a very long time.

Even though the brothers didn't get along--AT ALL--they still worshipped God. Twice a day they stopped to send sacrifices. The army on the outside of the temple sent up their sacrifices over the wall and the army inside offered theirs. The priests refused to take sides and gladly went about doing their duties.

Months passed. There seemed no end to the civil war.

Hyrcanus ruled all of Jerusalem except the area inside the temple fortress. Aristobulus pulled inside the mighty walls. 

One day, when the time to send up a sacrifice to the priest came, one of Hyrcanus' advisors suggested he send up a pig instead of a sheep.

Hyrcanus, the weak brother, listened to the advisor and agreed. "Send the pig. That should stir my brother into a final battle."

Remember what started all the trouble years ago? The Jews were willing to live under Greek rule as long as they could worship God in their way. The Greeks mocked them, ordering the people to offer pigs as a sacrifice. The Macabee family refused starting the rebellion against the Greeks.

It is said that when Hyrcanus' pig sacrifice touched the temple walls, the land shook in all directions covering four hundred miles!

Talk about a total disaster.

I had known about the Macabees hard work over many years to restore the temple and worship of God. All went well...until these two brothers fought.

So what happened next?


Come back next time.


This is the history, the events that happened to real people during the time between the Old and New Testaments. 

*********************************************************************************************

sources: 
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*The Hanukkah Book by Marilyn Burns, Four Winds Press, Macmillan Publishing Company, 1981
* Jewish History.org
*Jewish Virtual Library.org
*The Hasmonean Dynasty

The Time Between Testaments-The Day the Temple Lamp Shone

By Mary Vee
Between the Old and New Testament

From the Historical records

The time in between time. 

Four hundred years are in the process of passing since God last spoke through a prophet to His people.

Remember we are counting backwards to year 0. The year is around 143 BC. (before Christ)

    400 BC                           300 BC                        200 BC                        100 BC                          Birth of Christ
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------|

photo by Mary Vee

The Syrians had ruled Judea.

Their soldiers were equipped with the best, newest, and powerful weapons of the day: rams to break through strong city gates, bows and arrows, javelins, spears, armor, elephants, and military siege engines shaped like large crossbows having better accuracy than a catapult. What small army would dare fight them? 

A Jewish remnant led by Judah of the Macabee family rallied the Jews to fight for the right to worship God. In the post below this one, read about the fourth and decisive battle that brings us to today's story.

A few years had gone by since Judah and his men had left the safety of the mountains. He wondered if this was the time to move forward. Not to take back their country. The much greater goal was to take back the temple and their freedom to worship. 

The fourth and largest battle wore out his troops. They scooped up the dead soldiers' weapons and carried them back to camp. During their meal and while the men rested, a new plan popped in Judah's head. He said the thought out loud, "It's time to take back the temple."

The men standing around him cheered. Those out of hearing range closed in. 

"Listen up. The Syrian army has retreated leaving the door open for us to take back the temple. I say we do it. This will no be an easy job. There will be more soldiers at the temple, but I feel in my heart we can do it. We're ready."

The men cheered again. After a time of celebrating they quieted and one said, "What is your plan. We're ready to do whatever you command."

Judah grabbed a stick. He made a drawing of Jerusalem's wall and the temple. "We'll sneak into the city from every direction then meet at the temple where we'll take out the Syrian guards. Unit leaders spread your men out. We'll creep in like ants to a picnic."

The men laughed then cheered again. 

"Get some sleep. We have a lot of work to do tomorrow."

Before the sun rose, the Jewish rebellion troops crept over hills and behind bushes. They signaled contacts on the inside to get through the city gates. Through the streets they moved, converging on the temple. 

Syrian troops stood outside with their weapons ready. 

Judah gave the signal to attack.   

The battle woke Jews living in the city and drew Jews from outlying villages. They all met at the temple and stepped over dead soldiers to go inside. 

The men fell to their knees and wept at what they saw. The Temple, built to honor and worship the living God was in shambles. Gates were torn. Grecian statues littered the spaces. Dirt. Vines. Broken furniture. This special place, once the foundation to their worship, had been violated.

Simon, Judah's older brother stood first. He wiped tears. "Get up. Everyone on your feet. We are going to restore this building starting right now."

The men pushed themselves to a stand. While tears still fell, they hauled Grecian statues and threw them out of the temple. Artisans pitched in and built new altars, furniture, holy vessels, and candlesticks. Women and men worked to scrub, repair, and make new items for the temple. They baked fresh bread and hung new curtains.

The work lasted for many days. As they worked, they sang, spoke words from the Holy Scriptures, repeated teachings, and remembered.

The day finally came for the Temple to reopen. A celebration called all the Jews to Jerusalem. Instruments played and the people sang. 

Then Judah lit the lamp. There was only enough oil to burn for one day. This made him sad. The lamp was to always be lit.

The celebration lasted into the late night and started the next morning. To everyone's surprise the lamp was still lit. 

The next day the lamp shone brightly. How could this be? There was only enough oil for the first day. 

For eight days the lamp remained lit, the length of the celebration. 

The Jews decided to observe this celebration every year. The celebration is called Hanukkah in some languages and Chanukah in others. Both are pronounced the same.

The battles against the Syrians didn't end that easily. There were more battles to keep the Temple a place for Jews to worship. The Jews then fought to have more than the freedom to worship, they were ready to fight for their country's freedom. This war took more than twenty years.

Simon, the last living of his brothers, became the High Priest of Jerusalem and ruler of Judea.



Come back next time to see what happens.


This is the history, the events that happened to real people during the time between the Old and New Testaments. 

*********************************************************************************************

sources: 
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*The Hanukkah Book by Marilyn Burns, Four Winds Press, Macmillan Publishing Company, 1981

The Time Between Testaments-Yes. But God is Guarding Us

By Mary Vee
Between the Old and New Testament

From the Historical records

The time in between time. 

Four hundred years are in the process of passing since God last spoke through a prophet to His people.

Remember we are counting backwards to year 0. The year is around 143 BC. (before Christ)

    400 BC                           300 BC                        200 BC                        100 BC                          Birth of Christ
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------|

photo by Mary Vee

The Syrians ruled Judea.

Soldiers were equipped with the best, newest, and powerful weapons of the day: rams to break through strong city gates, bows and arrows, javelins, spears, armor, elephants, and military siege engines shaped like large crossbows having better accuracy than a catapult. What small army would dare fight them? 

A Jewish remnant led by a man named Judah of the Macabee family rallied the Jews to fight for the right to worship God. His band of fighters attacked small groups of soldiers then won three battles against Antiochus IV's armies, scroll down to read these about these battles.

This is the last major battle. The one keeping the Jews from worshipping in the Jerusalem temple. 

The appointed Syrian leader is Lysias. He lost the last battle despite a great plan and good generals to carry the plan through. His anger rose. This time, he would use might instead of wit against the Jewish rebellion.

He called for more soldiers. Twenty thousand, and a bigger calvary. 

His last plan showed how big his army was to the Jews by setting up the battle in the plains. It should have scared them off. But it didn't. They became too easy of a target. This time, his plan was to march his army up the coast then over to the hills and split into many units. Search out and attack the Jewish rebellion. Communication was necessary to call other units once the rebellion was found. Show no mercy.

He felt good about this plan and ordered the men, weapons, elephants, and chariots. This time, he would lead the battle himself and get the job done right.

Soldiers formed their lines outside Lysias' tent. He looked at the grand army. The Jewish rebellion didn't stand a chance this time. Not against this power and his leadership.

He ordered the army along the coast, avoiding the mountain passes where the first two armies failed. He went on past the plains where the third army failed. On to the hill country where his men could divide and conquer!

He gave the signal ordering the men to the hills. He dispatched a unit to the right and to the left, forward and back. He dispatched reinforcements to go behind each group. The men moved through the hills, weapons ready.

But...Judah's men saw them. They moved like cats stalking, ready to pounce on each unit. And so they did. One by one the rebellion took down the Syrian units until Lysias called retreat and took the survivors home.


"This was our victory, men," said Judah. "It's time we take back the temple."

His older brother, Simon stood next to him. Their father had appointed two of his sons to take over the cause. Simon for his mind, and Judah for his strength and courage. "You did good, brother," Simon said.

"We all did." 

The men cheered.

"You, know, Judah, the temple is guarded by Antiochus IV's men."

"Yes. But God is guarding us."

Come back next time to see what happens.



This is the history, the events that happened to real people during the time between the Old and New Testaments. 

*********************************************************************************************

sources: 
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*The Hanukkah Book by Marilyn Burns, Four Winds Press, Macmillan Publishing Company, 1981

The Time Between Testaments-Bait and Switch Battle

By Mary Vee
Between the Old and New Testament

From the Historical records

The time in between time. 

Four hundred years are in the process of passing since God last spoke through a prophet to His people.

Remember we are counting backwards to year 0. The year is around 143 BC. (before Christ)

    400 BC                           300 BC                        200 BC                        100 BC                          Birth of Christ
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------|

photo by Mary Vee

The Syrians rule Judea.

Soldiers were equipped with the best, newest, and powerful weapons of the day: rams to break through strong city gates, bows and arrows, javelins, spears, armor, elephants, and military siege engines shaped like large crossbows having better accuracy than a catapult. What small army would dare fight them? 

A Jewish remnant led by a man named Judah of the Macabee family rallied the Jews to fight for the right to worship God. His band of fighters attacked small groups of soldiers. 

The victories encouraged them to attack one of Antiochus IV's armies. When they won they took their weapons.

Antiochus IV chose his great general Seron to lead a second army to wipe out the annoying Jewish rebellion. Scroll down to the last post to read about that battle. The result, Judah, leader of the Jewish rebellion won again.

To say Antiochus IV was furious would hardly describe him. He had to leave on an errand, but first chose the most cunning leader in his army, Lysias, and sent him to rid the planet of the rebellion. 

Lysis drew up an amazing plan. Judah's spies made their way to learn what Lysis wanted to do then made their way back up to the safety of their mountain hideaway. They told Judah, "He plans to split his army and send half the soldiers to attack at night while we sleep. The other half will be waiting to attack any of us who flee."

"Well done." A plan popped into Judah's mind. "I know exactly what to do. Gather all the men around."

Judah had hundreds of fighters. They didn't have weapons other than the ones they took from the Syrian army or the training of the Syrians, but they had a strong heart and desire for a freedom to worship God the way Moses had taught them.

The Jewish fighters circled Judah. "Listen. Set up the fires and tents as if you are sleeping. Make everything look as if we are here. Half the Syrian army will be here to attack our empty camp soon. Be exceptionally quiet and follow me to where the other half will be in hiding."

Judah's men worked quickly and followed him, staying hidden from view. Their advantage, they knew the mountains and could move easily in the dark, the Syrians did not. They moved close enough to see this half of the Syrian army slept, apparently resting for a first-light battle.

Dawn would soon brighten the sky. Judah's army sat quietly, watching the half army sleep. He gave the signal. The rebellion fighters crept into the sleeping camp and attacked the unprepared soldiers, conquering this half.

Judah had left spies to watch the other half army. The general leading the attacking army arrived at the Jew's fake sleeping camp. They rummaged through the tents. "They must have seen us coming and fled. Hah! They won't stand a chance against our men waiting for them.The general lead his army victoriously back to their camp to celebrate.

To his surprise, he found the camp in ruins and the other half of his army dead. The Jewish rebellion had outsmarted him. He lead his surviving half of the army back to the battle leader, Lysias.

He went into Lysias meeting tent not wanting to tell the news. "I have a report."

Lysias had a triumphant look on his face. "Tell me, General Gorgias, did the Jewish rebellion fighters cry for mercy?"

"Not really. We never found them. The army split in two as you ordered. I led my half and found the Jews' camp. It was setup as if they were asleep, but none were there. I assumed they heard us coming and fled into the arms of the rest of our army and had been killed. When I returned to the camp, I found everything in ruins and every soldier dead."

"What!" Lysias threw the table over. "Must I do everything myself? Antiochus IV ordered us to wipe them out." He paced. "Get out!"



Come back next time to see what happens.



This is the history, the events that happened to real people during the time between the Old and New Testaments. 

*********************************************************************************************

sources: 
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*The Hanukkah Book by Marilyn Burns, Four Winds Press, Macmillan Publishing Company, 1981

A Time Between Time-The Second Battle

By Mary Vee
Between the Old and New Testament

From the Historical records

The time in between time. 

Four hundred years are in the process of passing since God last spoke through a prophet to His people.

Remember we are counting backwards to year 0. The year is around 143 BC. (before Christ)

    400 BC                           300 BC                        200 BC                        100 BC                          Birth of Christ
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------|

photo by Mary Vee

The Syrians rule Judea.

Soldiers were equipped with the best, newest, and powerful weapons of the day: rams to break through strong city gates, bows and arrows, javelins, spears, armor, elephants, and military siege engines shaped like large crossbows having better accuracy than a catapult. What small army would dare fight them? 

A Jewish remnant led by a man named Judah of the Macabee family rallied the Jews to fight for the right to worship God. His band of fighters attacked small groups of soldiers and recently won a battle agains a Syrian army.

Antiochus IV was angry. How dare this small group of Jews attack one of his armies? "General Seron, take out those Jews hiding in caves. Kill every one!" 

"Yes, my king. Don't worry, I will rid the earth of them."

General Seron refused to give the victory away. He increased the army under his command to twice the size of the first army that failed and set out to avenge the Syrian army. He drew up a battle plan to march along the coast and avoid mountain passages farther inland. He marched his army south then cut to the east toward Jerusalem. 

But, between the coast and Jerusalem were mountains. The soldiers boldly marched forward, looking above for any signs of Judah's men. As the entire army moved deeper into the pass, Judah and his much smaller army sprang from their hiding places and attacked.  They killed over eight hundred soldiers. The rest of General Seron's army ran away.

The news spread among the Jews. More and more Jews joined the ranks. Those in the rebellion lived in their homes, ran their businesses, and secretly listened for information then passed it on to Judah. 

To say that Antiochus IV became angry about the second defeat is to understate. He was furious. How dare these untrained ruffians with simple weapons dare to attack his mighty army? 

The day came when he needed to go to Persia and collect tribute owed. Before he left, he called for his most trusted military leader, Lysias. "Lysias, Take half my army and the elephants and the best weapons and go destroy those Israelites hiding in the mountains!"

Lysias made a battle plan. He selected generals who had proven their courage, strength, wit, quick decision making skills, and success on the battlefield. He called the men for a meeting and laid out his plan then assigned duties. Twenty thousand foot soldiers were called to service along with the calvary. "I won't allow the same mistake to happen again. We will not give those Israelites the field advantage."

He drew out the plan in the sand. "Keep your men away from the mountains." He laughed. "We'll make them come to us. Out in the open. In a plain so wide our army's strength will scare those Israelites into submission We'll have room to move our units and fortify any side they dare attack. There is no way we can't win, men. Get ready."

While Lysias and his generals prepared their army and marched them to the plains, Judah and his men looked down from the mountains. The Syrian army looked like grasshoppers attacking a field. So many. So strong. How could they win?

Judah saw defeat on the men's faces. The story of Gideon may have flashed through his mind. He pulled back and called his men close. "Look, it doesn't matter if we win this battle or not, what matter is that we defend our right to worship the one and only living God. You don't want to go home without trying, do you? Forced to give up everything we believe just to live another day with them ordering us to never worship the one true God again?"

The men listened. Fear left their eyes. They sat up straighter with each word Judah said. "Listen men," he said. 

His Jewish brothers leaned closer. 

"I have a plan."


Come back next time to see what happens.




This is the history, the events that happened to real people during the time between the Old and New Testaments. 

*********************************************************************************************

sources: 
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*The Hanukkah Book by Marilyn Burns, Four Winds Press, Macmillan Publishing Company, 1981