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Why is it important to understand what took place during the intertestamental period? How will this help shape your study of the New Testament?
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Although this intertestamental period is known as the “Great Silence”, G-d was still watching over His people and guiding them through time. Depending on which Bible translation one uses, this time period does show us how certain events that affected the people during New Testament times (e.g., “the Feast of Dedication” mentioned in John’s gospel is what we know today as Hanukkah). Also, how the Sadducees, Pharisees and Essenes came about during the time of Yeshua.
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The ways of the world were changing according to the will of God. Every thought, notion, and belief in the old world had to diminish. God promised a new life which would never extinguish. God wanted the new era to be pure in speech and knowledge and most of all fair to every soul on the Earth. In other words, the old life with God and all that it was had to completely end before He could start anew with His everlasting covenant in Christ Jesus.
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That’s a very good point Gail. I never thought of it that way.
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It is important to understand the social and political atmosphere of the time between the writings of the Old Testament and those of the New Testament. It was these circumstances that set the stage for the birth of Jesus Christ. The events of this time period help to explain the political climate as well societal norms and accompanying history of the Jews leading up to the time of Christ. Understanding what took place during the intertestamental period is essential to properly understanding the New Testament. Culture, religion, and politics all played key roles in the unfolding of the story of the Messiah.
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It is important to help understand what was happening at that time, the culture, the geographical area, the relevance of people who lived there, what was the socioeconomic status of the region and era, also who lived during that time as it relates to the scriptures.
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The intertestamental period is important to Christians today because we will increasingly be subjected to persecution and the target of those of this world as we get ever closer to the end times.