“But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children.” Galatians 4:4-5
The Background of the NT
Act 1 Creation/Fall
Act 2 Israel/OT (Covenant)
Act 3 Jesus/NT (Covenant)
Act 4 The Renewal of all things (Matthew 19:28, Acts 3:21, Isaiah 65:17-19)
2 Reasons the NT was written
- To inform the early church about the life and teachings of Jesus.
2. To instruct the local congregations on how to live in His kingdom.
There is not much paper in between Malachi and Matthew, BUT there was 400 years of history. That shaped the world for Galatians 4:4. When Malachi wrote the land of the Jews was ruled by the Persian Empire.
3 things that set the stage for Jesus
- Israel
“They are the people of Israel, chosen to be God’s adopted children. God revealed his glory to them. He made covenants with them and gave them his law. He gave them the privilege of worshiping him and receiving his wonderful promises. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are their ancestors, and Christ himself was an Israelite as far as his human nature is concerned. And he is God, the one who rules over everything and is worthy of eternal praise! Amen.” Romans 9:4-5 NLT
- Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3)
- A Holy Nation (Exodus 19:6, 1 Peter 2:9)
- Monotheism
- Torah
- Dispersion/Exile into Babylon 587 BC
- Septuagint
- Judaism: Grew out of Phariseeism
2. The Greek Empire
- Alexander the Great (Between 334 BC and 323 BC conquered the Mediterranean world)
- One language/One world
3. The Roman Empire (Conquered the Greeks in 146 BC)
- Law and order (Pax Romana)
- Roads
- Moral/Religious degeneration