Books Jesus Read

132

Books Jesus Read

Overall, 2 Maccabees focuses on the Jerusalem temple, compared to 1 Maccabees’ focus on the Hasmonean dynasty. The selection offered here describes the corruption of the Jerusalem high priesthood as a result of Hellenization, 2 and also the martyrdom of Jews who remained “zealous for the law” in the face of severe persecution. Text This is the story of Judas Maccabeus and his brothers, who accomplished the purification of the great temple and the rededication of the altar. They waged war against Antiochus Epiphanes and his son Eupator. Striving zealously on behalf of Judaism, they were guided by visions from heaven. Though few in number, they secured the nation and forced the barbarians into retreat. They recovered the temple famous throughout the world, freed the city and restored its laws which were about to be abolished—all this happened because of the Lord’s goodness and mercy. Formerly, this history was compiled by Jason of Cyrene in five volumes. In light of its massive size and difficulty, however, we shall condense it to a single book. Here, our aim is to profit all readers and to make it easy for those who want to memorize the story. For us who have undertaken the toil of abbreviating, it is no light matter but calls for sweat and loss of sleep, just as it is not easy for one who prepares a banquet and seeks the benefit of others. However, to secure the gratitude of the many we gladly endure the toil, leaving the responsibility for exact details to the compiler, while devoting our effort to arriving at the outlines of this digest. Just as the master builder of a new house must be concerned with the

2 Hellenization – the transformation of Judea by Greek culture.