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Egyptian Rule Comes to an End

In 198 B.C., the Seleucid Kingdom on the north again came into Palestine and
drove out the Egyptians.

The rulers of THIS kingdom were equally Hellenistic in their beliefs as were the
Egyptians. However, the new ruler expected the Jews to follow their ways -- and only
their ways -- of interpreting Hellenism. Only the Hellenism that supported the aims and
customs of the Seleucids was allowed to exist.

Many of the Jews, after a century of Hellenistic influence, accepted this new
enforcement of Seleucid Hellenism. About the only difference between the Egyptian
Hellenism and that of the Seleucids was in the national aspect. The Seleucids demanded
loyalty to THEIR rule and THEIR customs. The whole Hellenistic system was as much
in effect among the Seleucids as with the Egyptians. In fact, if anything, the Seleucids
were stronger in their Hellenistic convictions.

"A passion for Greek costumes, Greek customs, and Greek names SEIZED THE
PEOPLE. Large numbers were enrolled as citizens of Antioch [the capital of the
Seleucid Kingdom]. Many even endeavored to conceal the fact that they had been
circumcised. To the horror of the faithful, HELLENISM SEEMED TO BE CARRYING
ALL BEFORE IT ... To demonstrate that he had LEFT ALL THE TRADITIONS OF
HIS RACE BEHIND, Jason [the High Priest himself] sent a rich present for sacrifices in
connection with the great festival at Tyre IN HONOR OF THE GOD HERCULES"
(Kent, History of the Jewish People, pp. 324-325).

It is remarkable the extent of the paganism that the Jews were observing at this
time. So strong did Hellenistic beliefs become, that the High Priest himself was offering
sacrifices to pagan gods. Because of this a reaction began to take place among some of
the Jews. Some of them could not bring themselves to go as far as the High priest.
However, the vast majority had fallen under the sway of the Hellenism of the Seleucids
as they had under the Egyptians.

The Prophecy of Daniel

The eleventh chapter of Daniel is the longest single prophecy in the whole Bible.
It deals with events from the time of Daniel to centuries into the future of his time. The
prophet Daniel in this long prophecy foretold that the Persian Empire was to fall. It was
to be conquered by a mighty king from Greece (v. 3). That king was Alexander the
Great. In the height of his glory he was to die (which Alexander did in the thirty-third
year of his life) and his kingdom was to be divided into FOUR divisions (verse 4).

This happened exactly as foretold.

The prophecy continues the foretelling of Palestinian history by revealing in verse
5 that two of these four kingdoms would be fighting over Palestine for many years.