Books Jesus Read

18

Books Jesus Read

our problems begin when we were set apart from the world?” ( Exod 34:11–16; Deut 7:1–6 ). Their scheme worked. Those who were eager for the change approached the evil king, Antiochus, and got his permission to begin remaking Israel according to the worldly pattern. They abandoned their covenant of circumcision and built a heathen gymnasium dedicated to the gods. Behaving like idolaters, they sold out Israel. Meanwhile, the kingdom of Antiochus grew stronger. He planned to attack Egypt so that he could rule two kingdoms. He invaded Egypt with a host of warriors, chariots, elephants and horsemen, besides many ships. He captured the fortified cities together with their treasures. Ptolemy, king of Egypt, was terrified and ran away. Many of his people were killed. After conquering Egypt in the 143rd year of the Greek kingdom, Antiochus led a great army against Israel, into Jerusalem. While there, he violated the holy sanctuary and stole all its furnishings. These included the gold- covered altar and lampstands, the table of showbread, the golden censers and crown, and serving vessels of all kinds. He also took treasure that was hidden in the sanctuary, and killed all who opposed him. Antiochus boasted about his conquest while all Israel was in mourning: her princes and elders mourned, her virgins and young men were left weak and defenseless, even the beauty of the women was marred. Every groom took up psalms of lamentation, and every bride wailed. The land itself was moved with compassion for her people while the house of Jacob was clothed with confusion.