Books Jesus Read

Chapter 1: Spiritual Rebellion – Mattathias

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buried him in the tomb of his ancestors at Modein. All Israel mourned for him with great lamentation.

1 Maccabees 3 Now Judas, the Hammer, arose and took up his father’s sword. Like a giant he strapped on his breastplate and battle armor. With the help of his brothers, he fought fearlessly for Israel. Thus, he magnified the glory of his people, and protected the host with his sword. As a lion paces, roaring at its prey ( 2 Sam 1:23 ), Judas hunted down every lawbreaker; Therefore the lawless froze for fear of him, and every apostate trembled because of the salvation secured by his hand. He went through all the cities of Judah, weeding out the ungodly and turning away wrath from Israel. His name resounded to the ends of the earth, and to him came those who were destined to perish. He grieved many a godless king while making Judah glad, and his memory is forever blessed! Then Apollonius gathered his Gentile forces. He marshalled a great host from Samaria to attack Israel. But Judas anticipated his plan and defeated him. Many Gentiles fell that day, while others ran for their lives. Judas gathered up the weapons left behind on the field, taking for himself the sword of Apollonius which he wielded in battle for the rest of his days ( 1 Sam 17:51 ). Now when Seron, a commander of the Syrian army, heard that Judah had assembled an army of the faithful he said, “I oppose anyone who opposes the king’s decree,