1 Maccabees 9 - 12
Bible Time Period: Maccabean Revolt
Mattathias and his sons stood up against the threats of Hellenization: Help me resist worldliness in the culture and follow only you.
The Success of the Maccabees
At first the resistance was individual and unorganized. But soon one family became the standard bearers for the revolt. An old priest named Mattathias and his five sons retreated to the countryside and started organizing the resistance. It was an obviously hopeless effort: they could never succeed against the power of the world's greatest empire. The only reason for resisting was that it was better to die than to be unfaithful to God.
Yet against all odds the revolt did succeed. Trusting in God, the sons of Mattathias began to take back bits and pieces of territory. Judas Maccabeus, the most talented soldier among them, gained amazing victories against the pagan armies. Within three years, the faithful Jews were able to purify and rededicate the Temple. Jewish families still celebrate that event as the festival of Hanukkah.
When Judas died, the victories continued under his brothers. The pagan kings were forced to come to terms with the Maccabees, as Judas and his brothers were called. Soon they controlled most of Judah. From there they pressed their successes outward, until they had actually conquered most of the territory of David's kingdom. They made alliances with Sparta and with Rome, a rising power in the west. The Greek kings were forced to admit what had already in fact happened: Israel was now an independent power. About 125 years before the birth of Christ, an independent Israel had finally been restored.
(Understanding the Scriptures The Didache Series, page 278)
The Success of the Maccabees
At first the resistance was individual and unorganized. But soon one family became the standard bearers for the revolt. An old priest named Mattathias and his five sons retreated to the countryside and started organizing the resistance. It was an obviously hopeless effort: they could never succeed against the power of the world's greatest empire. The only reason for resisting was that it was better to die than to be unfaithful to God.
Yet against all odds the revolt did succeed. Trusting in God, the sons of Mattathias began to take back bits and pieces of territory. Judas Maccabeus, the most talented soldier among them, gained amazing victories against the pagan armies. Within three years, the faithful Jews were able to purify and rededicate the Temple. Jewish families still celebrate that event as the festival of Hanukkah.
When Judas died, the victories continued under his brothers. The pagan kings were forced to come to terms with the Maccabees, as Judas and his brothers were called. Soon they controlled most of Judah. From there they pressed their successes outward, until they had actually conquered most of the territory of David's kingdom. They made alliances with Sparta and with Rome, a rising power in the west. The Greek kings were forced to admit what had already in fact happened: Israel was now an independent power. About 125 years before the birth of Christ, an independent Israel had finally been restored.
(Understanding the Scriptures The Didache Series, page 278)
Today's Reading
Commentary
Discussion Boards Day 76
Saint Paul Center For Biblical Theology - Lesson Five Part VIIB Persecution and Revolt
Saint Paul Center For Biblical Theology - Lesson Five Part VIIB Persecution and Revolt
___
For items devotional items related to the Catholic Church
please visit Lynn's Timeless Treasures
Back to Index 90 Day Bible Reading Challenge
Art
The Holy Seven Maccabee Children, Solomone their mother, and Eleazar their Teacher - Icon
The Holy Seven Maccabee Children, Solomone their mother, and Eleazar their Teacher - Icon
No comments:
Post a Comment