Books Jesus Read

136

Books Jesus Read

And see that you, who have been punished by heaven, tell all men of the majestic power of God.” After they said this, they vanished. Heliodorus, now recovered, offered his own sacrifice to the Lord, and made great vows to the Savior of his life. Saying goodbye to Onias, he and his troops returned to the king, testifying to all men about the supreme God and his mighty deeds they had seen with their own eyes. Then the king inquired of Heliodorus about what sort of person might be suitable to send on another mission to Jerusalem. Heliodorus replied, “Send any one of your enemies, or anyone who has betrayed your rule, and he will return completely scourged, assuming he escapes at all: for he who dwells in heaven watches over that place himself, and he will strike down and destroy any who come to harm it!” This, then, was the outcome of the episode of Heliodorus and the protection of the treasury. 2 Maccabees 4 When Simon, who had planned the scheme in the first place, heard all this, he falsely charged Onias with having stirred up Heliodorus, and causing the misfortune. Thus, he dared to charge the one who was the benefactor of the city, the guardian of his fellow countrymen, and a zealot for the laws, by suggesting he was plotting against the government. Simon’s hatred grew to such an extent that he hired agents who were prepared to commit murder for him. Perceiving the seriousness of the situation, and that the governor was supportive of Simon’s efforts, Onias met with the king, not to accuse his fellow citizens but for the sake of the welfare of all the people. For he saw that without the king’s attention, public affairs could