We find the story of
Chanukah in the historical books of the Maccabees.
The first book of
the Maccabees tells the story of Israel during the 2nd
century BC. In that time, the land of Israel had fallen
under the reign of the Greeks leaders that succeeded Alexander the Great. The
Greeks wanted to impose pagan traditions in Israel (chapter 1).
However, the Jews that were faithful to God’s law opposed them. The opposition
was led by the priest Mattathias and his sons (chapter 2). Even after
Mattathias died, the rebellion continued under his sons: Judah (chapters 3-9),
Jonathan (chapters 9-12) and Simon (chapters 13-16). They were later called “the
Maccabees”.
The second book of
the Maccabees is not a continuation of the first one, but an account of the
same events from a different perspective. It places a special emphasis on the
story of Judah Maccabee and what happened in the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.
Here I will share a few
segments of both books, with some comments, as a summary of the Books of the
Maccabees:
ALEXANDER AND
ANTHIOCUS
(I Maccabees 1:7-15) Alexander had
reigned twelve years when he died. Each of his officers established himself in
his own region. All assumed crowns after his death, they and their heirs after
them for many years, bringing increasing evils on the world. From these there
grew a wicked offshoot, Antiochus Epiphanes son of King Antiochus; once a
hostage in Rome, he became king in the 107th year of the kingdom of the
Greeks. It was then that there emerged from Israel a set of renegades
who led many people astray. 'Come,' they said, 'let us ally ourselves
with the gentiles surrounding us, for since we separated ourselves from them
many misfortunes have overtaken us.' This proposal proved acceptable, and a
number of the people eagerly approached the king, who authorized them to
practice the gentiles' observances. So they built a gymnasium
in Jerusalem, such as the gentiles have, disguised their circumcision, and
abandoned the holy covenant, submitting to gentile rule as willing slaves of
impiety.
The “Hellenization” (adopting
the Greek culture and customs) of the Jews seemed to be beneficial for the
people, at first. But then it became obvious that the Greek culture was in many ways opposite to what the Bible
teaches. It is written that the people of God should not make alliances with
heathen nations, nor acquire their traditions, nor marry them (Exo. 23:32-33;
Exo. 34:12-16; Deu. 7:1-4). Some Jews complained that “since we separated
ourselves from [the gentiles surrounding us] many misfortunes have overtaken us”;
but, in reality, the opposite was true: the Jews had usually followed the other
nations, and that was the reason things had gone wrong. Obeying God’s precepts
is what opens the door to blessings, because God knows what is best for us.
CONQUEST
AND TEMPLE PROFANATION
Antiochus took
everything that was sacred to the Jews, destroyed it and made a mockery out of
it.
(I Maccabees
1:20-25) After his conquest of Egypt, in the year 143, Antiochus turned
about and advanced on Israel and Jerusalem in massive
strength. Insolently breaking into the sanctuary, he removed the golden altar
and the lamp-stand for the light with all its fittings, together with the table
for the loaves of permanent offering, the libation vessels, the cups, the
golden censers, the veil, the crowns, and the golden decoration on the front of
the Temple, which he stripped of everything. He made off with the silver
and gold and precious vessels; he discovered the secret treasures and seized
them and, removing all these, he went back to his own country, having shed much
blood and uttered words of extreme arrogance. There was deep mourning
for Israel throughout the country.
The profanation of the
Temple in Jerusalem is what is known as the “abomination of desolation”.
PROCLAMATION OF
ANTIOCHUS IV
Antiochus not only
profaned the Temple, but went after all the Jewish customs and Biblical laws.
(I Maccabees
1:41-50) The king then issued a proclamation to his whole kingdom that all
were to become a single people, each nation renouncing its particular customs.
All the gentiles conformed to the king's decree, and many Israelites chose to
accept his religion, sacrificing to idols and profaning the Sabbath. The king
also sent edicts by messenger to Jerusalem and the towns of Judah, directing
them to adopt customs foreign to the country, banning burnt offerings,
sacrifices and libations from the sanctuary, profaning Sabbaths and feasts,
defiling the sanctuary and everything holy, building altars, shrines and
temples for idols, sacrificing pigs and unclean beasts, leaving their sons
uncircumcised, and prostituting themselves to all kinds of impurity and
abomination, so that they should forget the Law and revoke all observance of
it. Anyone not obeying the king's command was to be put to death.
(I Maccabees
1:54-57) On the fifteenth day of Chislev in the year 145 the king built the
appalling abomination on top of the altar of burnt offering; and altars were
built in the surrounding towns of Judah and incense offered at the
doors of houses and in the streets. Any books of the Law that came to light
were torn up and burned. Whenever anyone was discovered possessing a copy of
the covenant or practicing the Law, the king's decree sentenced him to death.
THE REMNANT
Even in the midst of
persecution, there is always a faithful remnant left.
(I Maccabees
1:62-63) Yet there were many in Israel who stood firm and found
the courage to refuse unclean food. They chose death rather than contamination
by such fare or profanation of the holy covenant, and they were executed.
In the next post, we
will read about a family that did not limit themselves to witness these events,
but fought to defend their faith…
more posts on: Biblical Feasts
more posts on: Biblical Feasts
Comments
Post a Comment