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

Jonathan Goforth-Figuring Out How to Blend In With the Chinese

By Mary Vee
Year: fall 1889

Jonathan Goforth-30 years old

Jonathan Goforth's Journal

My name is Jonathan Goforth. My wife, Rosalind and I are missionaries in China. 

I have a decent enough grasp of the language to survive and to preach. I'm getting better at learning the culture and idioms, too, you know, the sayings and jokes that people living in one area understand. 

People even dress slightly different from place to place.I know, pictures from the time I'm living here, the 1890's, show most common Chinese people dressing the same. Both men and women wearing long, plain shirts over simple pants. Actually, the dress did vary a bit in different places.

Rosalind and I had been assigned to a northern region called Honan along with Donald Macgillivray. Three other new missionary couples arrived to help us. While the new ones spent their days studying, I set out to see the region. I wanted to know where other Christians might be, what the cities looked like, and along the way, tell the people I met about the God who loved them.

The biggest problem I saw was the fear and anger Chinese people had for what they called foreign devils. It didn't matter where the person was from, if they weren't Chinese the person would be called a foreign devil. 

I had read Hudson Taylor's books and decided he had a great idea. Dress like the people. I bought clothing for Rosalind and myself. We changed our hair and practiced walking like Chinese. We ate Chinese food and did activities like they did as long as the activities did involve worshiping idols. 

Some of the new missionaries who came treated the work like a vacation. They wanted to be carried around on sedans (the chairs on poles), or ride on donkeys and pay servants to wait on them. This didn't make any sense to me and showed me these men and women were not true missionaries.

I made a rule to fix the problem. Any missionary who came with me would: 1. walk five miles toward the next destination before stopping for a simple breakfast; 2. buy a simple wheelbarrow to carry the Bibles and other books we needed and pay a local a good wage to push it; 3. walk eight to ten hours in one day scouting the region for needs; 4. stay in the cheapest inns to cut down costs. With these savings, we toured the region for only fifty cents a day, and I knew who was wiling to live a life of sacrifice to tell Chinese about the God who loved them.

The inns along the way had one large heated surface for travelers to share for sleeping. I paid for my space then, while the other missionaries rested, found a spot where men and women travelers could gather. I started telling them a Bible story. Gradually the travelers gathered around me to hear the story. When I finished, I taught them about the God who loved them. After about an hour and a half, one of the missionaries who came with me got up from his rest and took over. At this time, I drank and took off my boots to rest.

I really felt like I was blending in with the Chinese people. Learning their ways. They listened to what I said and didn't yell at me. 

Yes, this is good.




Jonathan has many stories to share. Come back each Monday to find out what happened next.



Resources Used for This Series
Being, Janet, and Geoff Benge. Jonathan Goforth: An Open Door in China. Seattle. WA: YWAM Pub., 2001.Print
Doyle, G. Wright. Builders of the Chinese Church: Pioneer Protestant Missionaries and Chinese Church Leaders. Eugene Oregon: Pickwick Pub, 2015. Print.
Goforth, Jonathan, and Rosaline Goforth, Miracle Lives of China, London" Marshall, Morgan & Scott, 1931, Print.
Goforth, Jonathan. "By My Spirit" Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1942. Print
Goforth, Rosalind. Climbing; Memories of a Missionary's Wife. Chicago: Moody Pub, n.d. Print
Goforth, Rosalind, How I Know God Answers Prayers; The Personal Testimony of One Life-time, New York: Harper & Brothers, 1921. Print
Goforth, Rosalind. Jonathan Goforth. Minneapolis, MN: Bethan House, 1986. Print
Goforth, Rosalind, How God Answers Prayer: The Mighty Miracles of God from the Mission Field of Jonathan Goforth. USA: Revival, 2016. Print Original copyright not stated.
Jackson, Dave, and Neta Jackson. Mask of the Wolf Boy: Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House, 1999. Print.
McCleary, Walter. An Hour with Jonathan Goforth: A Biography. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1938. Print.
Meloche, Renee Taft., and Bryan Pollard. Jonathan Goforth: Never Give up. Seattle, WA: YWAM, 2004. Print.

.

Let Jonathan hear from you!

Leave a comment below.

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

Jonathan Goforth- The Mayor Who Desperately Wanted a Son

By Mary Vee
Year: fall 1889

Jonathan Goforth-30 years old

Jonathan Goforth's Journal

Photo Courtesy Chinese Dai house architecture
with bamboo sides and thatched roof 

My name is Jonathan Goforth. My wife, Rosalind and I are missionaries in China. 

Mr. Chou was the local, retired police chief, a grumpy, demanding one. He'd served his time and the office and now felt he deserved obedience from every person around him.

Mr. Chou was also blind. 

My friend, Dr. McClure and I visited Mr. Chou's village and sat down to tea with the magistrate. The magistrate asked us to look at Mr. Chou's eyes, hoping we could help him. Mr. Chou had cataracts, a fixable problem that required healing time. When we said we couldn't perform surgery at this time, but would come back in six months, he became angry and left.

Six months later we returned, did the surgery, and stayed two weeks while his eyes healed. During this time Mr. Chou had to stay with us. He went to our church meetings, our talks to people on the street, our studies of the Bible. He heard about the living God in ways he wouldn't have on his own. Before the 2 weeks ended he believed in Jesus.

Mr. Chou joined us one day when we walked to the temple of the goddess who is said to grant boy babies to those who worshipped her. People came from far distances with their sacrifice. Dr. McClure and I spoke out to the people walking by us. "Wait. the goddess is not real, or living. She cannot grant you sons no matter what you sacrifice."

Up the path came the mayor from a neighboring town. He must have been an important man because a crowd followed him. He carried a paper drawing of a male baby. Mr. Chou stepped in front of the man. "Stop." He softened his voice. "This goddess cannot give you what you want."

The mayor stopped and looked at the retired police chief. "I was blind. I took many sacrifices to the goddess asking her to restore my sight. Then these two men came. They told me about the living God. How Jesus took the punishment for the bad things I've done and lovingly asked me to believe in Him. These two men who talk about the living God healed my eyes when the goddess couldn't.

When he paused I stepped close to him. "I am one of ten boys born to my parents. I also have a sister. My wife has nine brothers and three sisters. Between our parents they have nineteen sons. They have never heard of this goddess, yet the one who wrote this book," I held up my Bible, "His words are in this book. The living God is the one who will grants sons or daughters if He wills. The goddess at that temple is not real and has no power."

Worshippers of the temple called to the mayor. "Come. Don't listen to those men. The goddess will become angry if you listen to them."

The mayor looked up at the temple then at the paper doll in his hand. He shook his head. "No. I wish to stay and listen to what these men say. You go if you want."

The mayor asked Mr. Chou questions about his sight. The answers Mr. Chou gave were heartfelt and showed all he had learned in these two short weeks.  Dr. McClure and I answered the mayor's other questions and showed him the answers in the Chinese Bible we had.

A few hours later, the mayor said he believed. He tore up the paper doll and threw it aside. He turned to the crowd standing near him and said, "I will wait for God to give me a son."

Before this time, my wife and I had many things go wrong. Our house burned and we lost all our possessions. Our baby girl died of disease. Learning the language was very difficult. Still, I knew in my heart that God wanted us to stay in China.

And now, I see two reasons why. 

And can't wait to see more. 


Jonathan has many stories to share. Come back each Monday to find out what happened next.



Resources Used for This Series
Being, Janet, and Geoff Benge. Jonathan Goforth: An Open Door in China. Seattle. WA: YWAM Pub., 2001.Print
Doyle, G. Wright. Builders of the Chinese Church: Pioneer Protestant Missionaries and Chinese Church Leaders. Eugene Oregon: Pickwick Pub, 2015. Print.
Goforth, Jonathan, and Rosaline Goforth, Miracle Lives of China, London" Marshall, Morgan & Scott, 1931, Print.
Goforth, Jonathan. "By My Spirit" Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1942. Print
Goforth, Rosalind. Climbing; Memories of a Missionary's Wife. Chicago: Moody Pub, n.d. Print
Goforth, Rosalind, How I Know God Answers Prayers; The Personal Testimony of One Life-time, New York: Harper & Brothers, 1921. Print
Goforth, Rosalind. Jonathan Goforth. Minneapolis, MN: Bethan House, 1986. Print
Goforth, Rosalind, How God Answers Prayer: The Mighty Miracles of God from the Mission Field of Jonathan Goforth. USA: Revival, 2016. Print Original copyright not stated.
Jackson, Dave, and Neta Jackson. Mask of the Wolf Boy: Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House, 1999. Print.
McCleary, Walter. An Hour with Jonathan Goforth: A Biography. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1938. Print.
Meloche, Renee Taft., and Bryan Pollard. Jonathan Goforth: Never Give up. Seattle, WA: YWAM, 2004. Print.

.

Let Jonathan hear from you!

Leave a comment below.