CHANUKAH IV: The Books of the Maccabees

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 2^nd Century BC. During this time, the land of Israel had fallen under the domain of the Greek kings that succeeded Alexander the Great. These kings, sometimes with the help of some Hellenized Jews, wanted to impose pagan traditions in Israel (chapter1). However, other Jews rebelled, under the command of the priest Mattathias and his sons (chapter 2). Even after Mattathias died, the rebellion continued under the command of his sons: Judah (chapters 3-9), Jonathan (chapters 9-12) and Simon (chapters 13-16). They were 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 Maccabeus and what happened in the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.

Bellow I present a few segments of both books, as a summary of their account:

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.

Even though “Hellenization” seemed to be a benefit for the people, it was actually the opposite of what the Bible teaches. The people of God should not be mixed with heathen nations, acquire their traditions, or make alliances with them.

Some Jews complained that “since we separated ourselves from [the gentiles surrounding us] many misfortunes have overtaken us”, while in reality the opposite was true. They had always imitated them and that was the reason things had gone wrong. Obeying God’s divine precepts is what opens the doors to receiving blessings, because God knows what is best for us.

CONQUEST AND TEMPLE PROFANATION

(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.

PROCLAMATION OF ANTIOCHUS IV

(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.

This is what is know as the “abomination of desolation”.

(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.

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 publication we will read about a family that did not limit themselves to witness these events, but arose to defend their faith…