Books Jesus Read

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Books Jesus Read

Gentile nations becomes the focus of this chapter. The spectacle of battle is prominent here: though poorly equipped and outnumbered, Judas and his forces triumph against impossible odds. Sacrificial acts of bravery are evident, though not always successful. The overall key to the Jews’ defense is Judas’ fearless and unrelenting retaliation on anyone who persecutes his people. And while some fight to make a name for themselves, Judas’ motives and faith are always beyond reproach. Antiochus Epiphanes meets his end early in this chapter, seemingly from discouragement and depression. Later in the chapter, Judas Maccabeus is killed in battle and succeeded by his brother Jonathan. All these events are described against the backdrop of Israel’s relations and conflicts with the superpowers of her day, including the Romans, the Seleucids, 1 and the Ptolemies. 2 These chapters mention many places whose names have been lost to history, and which can no longer be located on a map. When the surrounding nations heard that the sanctuary had been refurbished and the altar rebuilt, they were very angry. So, they planned to destroy the Jews, and set about to rid themselves of all the descendants of Jacob. The Edomites began by attacking the Jews at Gael. Judas met them in battle at Akrabattene and overwhelmed them, plundering them and defeating their courage. Recalling the harm which the sons of Baean had done to Israel, Text 1 Maccabees 5

1 Seleucids – Syrians. 2 Ptolemies – Egyptians.