This lesson covers all of the Old Testament Books with a brief overview showing how the Bible books are all connected and how it tells one story. The Old Testament ends with the Persians being the world power, but the Greeks come next with Alexander the Great in 331 BC, and they bring with them the alphabet, the Greek language which is the language of the New Testament. Also 72 men gathered together and translated the Hebrew Scriptures into Greek, and that is called the Septuagint. Next came Antiochus Epiphanes in 175 BC who attacked the Jews, wrecked Jerusalem and desecrated the temple by sacrificing a pig on the altar. This brought the Maccabean Revolt, led by a Jewish Priest, Judas Maccabeus. During this time came the Jewish holiday, Hanukkah. From Judas' family came the Hasmonean line of High Priests that Herod was born. The Roman rule was in 146 BC, and Herod was made governor of Galilee and appointed king of the Jews by Rome in 40 BC. With the Romans we have our calendar system, currency, magnificent towns and wonderful roadways. This sets the stage for the Messiah, Jesus, to be born.
