1. In the year 333 before Christ, Alexander the Great put an end to the kingdom of Persia, which had ruled over the Jews since the time of Cyrus. After this they fell into the power of the kings of Egypt, and finally under the power of the kings of Syria.
2. Among these latter, Antiochus was very cruel. He burned the sacred books, and forbade, under pain of death, any one to observe the Law. Many basely apostatized, while, on the other hand, many remained faithful, preferring death to sin.
3. Among these latter was the venerable Eleazar, an old man of ninety years of age, and much esteemed for his knowledge of the Law. Antiochus commanded him to eat the flesh of swine, threatening him with death if he refused. But his religion forbade him to obey, and the brave old man would rather die than offend God.
4. His friends strove to persuade him to yield, nay, even urged him to save his life by pretending to eat the forbidden flesh, though he did not. But Eleazar scorned deceit: "I may deceive men," said he, "but I cannot deceive God, and my example might lead others astray." The old man suffered a cruel death, but truth triumphed in his sufferings.
Questions to Consider : 84.—Into whose power did the Jews fall? What is said of Antiochus? What is said of Eleazar?
1. Amongst others that were brought before Antiochus were the seven Maccabees and their mother. When they were ordered to eat the forbidden flesh of the swine they refused, and said they would rather die than break the laws of God.
2. When the king heard this he became very angry, and ordered the seven brothers to be beaten with rods. But the heroic youths still refusing to obey, Antiochus commanded frying-pans and brazen caldrons to be made hot. Then the executioners seized the eldest and cut out his tongue; after this they tore off the skin from his head, and chopped off his hands and his feet, and at last threw him into the red-hot frying-pan. His mother and his brothers stood encouraging him and exhorting him to persevere.
3. When the first was dead, the second eldest was brought, and the skin of his head also pulled off. He too, was asked if He would eat the forbidden meat; but he boldly answered, "No." He was tormented as his brother had been. The third and the fourth, as also the fifth and the sixth, willingly offered themselves to the executioners, and died proclaiming their faith in God and their hopes of eternal happiness.
4. The youngest still remained. The king hoped by kindness to win him over. He promised him honors and riches, even his own friendship, if he would renounce the Jewish religion; but he would not yield. Then the king exhorted the mother to persuade her son to save his life, but she only the more encouraged her child to be a worthy successor of his six martyred brothers.
5. While his mother was yet speaking to him, he boldly cried out: "I will not obey the king, nor will I break the law of God." When the king heard this he was greatly incensed, and ordered him to be more cruelly tormented than any of the rest. Last of all the mother suffered death with the same heroic constancy that had marked the sufferings of her seven noble sons.
Questions to Consider : 85.—What is said of the Maccabees? How was the eldest brother put to death? How was the second eldest? How did the others die? How did the king act towards the youngest? What was done to the mother?
1. During the reign of Antiochus there lived in Judea a priest named Mathathias, who had five sons. When he saw the abominations that were committed against the Law, and the cruelties with which the people were oppressed, he resolved to free his country. Calling upon all those who would defend the Law of God to follow him, he fled with his sons and many others into the mountains.
2. At first he was content with overthrowing the idols and the altars of the pagan gods; then, as his numbers increased, he began to make war on the enemies of his country.
After his death the leadership fell upon his son Judas, who, because of his invincible courage, was called Maccabeus. Bold as a lion, he met and vanquished the generals of Antiochus one after another.
3. He also retook Jerusalem and purified the Temple. The altar was consecrated anew, amid the sounds of harps and lutes and cymbals; the sacrifices were restored; and a great feast was appointed to celebrate his victories.
4. When Antiochus heard of the success of the Maccabees he became very angry. Gathering together an immense army, he resolved to lead it himself against Jerusalem, and forever destroy the place; but God's judgments overtook him on the way.
One day he fell from his chariot and hurt himself very badly. His sores putrefied, and worms began to crawl out of his wounds; the flesh fell off from his bones, and the whole body sent forth a stench insupportable to himself as well as all around him.
5. When Antiochus saw how grievously he suffered, he acknowledged the hand of God in his punishment, and, hoping to escape death, humbled himself and lamented his cruelty. He even promised to repair, as far as he could, the evils he had done, But his repentance was insincere, and God listened not to his prayer. He died amid the most cruel torments, leaving to the world a frightful example of the justice of God.
6. After his death his son strove to reconquer Judea; but the Maccabees, trusting in God, assembled their followers and went forth to battle. In the heat of the engagement suddenly there came from heaven five men, whose armor shone as the sun, and whose horses were covered with golden harness. Two placed themselves on either side of Judas, whilst the other three hurled darts on the enemy: at the same time the lightning flashed in the faces of the Syrians. Stunned and confounded, many fell to the ground, whilst the others turned and fled. The enemy left twenty thousand infantry and six thousand cavalry dead upon the field.
7. After many victories Judas established the independence of his country; yet not without loss. Many of the Jews were killed; but on examining the bodies of the dead there were found concealed under their coats offerings that had been stolen from the temples of the pagan idols. Then all knew the cause of their death.
8. When Judas saw why they had been punished, he did not despair, but, trusting in the power of prayer and the mercy of God, sent twelve thousand drachmas of silver to Jerusalem, that sacrifices might be offered for them, saying: "It is s holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead."
Questions to Consider : 86.—What is said of Mathathias? What is said of Judas Maccabeus? How did Antiochus die? How was the son of Antiochus defeated? What did Judas send to Jerusalem? Why?
1. After the death of the pious and heroic Judas, hi? brothers, one after another, were placed at the head of the nation. Under their wise guidance many victories were won and peace established, and Judea began again to flourish. Unhappily, their successors did not walk in their footsteps, and gradually the inconstant Jews fell again into sin.
2. The nation, however, still recognized the one true God, and exteriorly observed the forms of the Law; but the heart? of the people were far from God.
Two sects rose up among them: one, the hypocritical Pharisees; the other, the incredulous Sadducees. The former placed all perfection in the exterior observance of the Law, the latter denied much that was in the Law, more particularly the resurrection of the dead.
3. Beyond Judea the world was buried in idolatry and abomination; cruelty and oppression were everywhere, and mankind longed for the coming of the Messiah. There remained but one thing more,—the fulfilment of the prophecy made by Jacob to his son Judah,—and this was not long delayed.
4. The successors of the Maccabees lived in continual war, civil as well as foreign; brother fought against brother; murder and rapine replaced peace and honesty. As a last hope, the Romans were called in to arbitrate between the parties. Soon they filled the country with their armies; the government was seized upon, and Herod, a stranger, appointed king of the Jews. Thus perished the kingdom of Judea; the sceptre had passed from the tribe of Judah; the time was come when the Messiah, the Savior, Our Lord Jesus Christ, should come to bless the world and save mankind, to whom be praise and benediction forever and ever.
Questions to Consider : 87.—What is said of the later history of the Jews? Who were the Pharisees? Who were the Sadducees? What is said of the world in general? What alone was wanting? Who were brought into Judea? Why? Who was made king? For whom was the time come?
