3 Maccabees 2

READING ACTS: Have Mercy on the Downcast – 3 Maccabees 2.

There is very little in these events which is historical. The writer has combined elements of the abominations of Antiochus IV with Pompey’s entry into the Temple in 63 B.C. The writer created a biblical prayer and placed in the mouth of the last of the great High Priests, Simon. Although it is impossible to connect these events to any one actual event, the writer tells his generation that God will act as he has done in the past to deal with the current empire, Rome.

Past posts in Phil Long's series on the Second Temple Period are noted here and links.