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Book Of First Maccabees

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A. Summary of Maccabees The book of first Maccabees starts off with describing Alexander the Great, son of Philip of Macedonia. It highlights his ability to dominate nations, but also his arrogant heart which led to his death. Before he died he gathered his generals nobleman to divided his massive kingdom. Antiochus was king of Israel and surrounding areas many Jews were falling away from God and following gentile customs. He attacked and defeated Egypt then went into Jerusalem and profaned the temple and took everything inside while murdering people. Antiochus came again and killed, stole, and took slaves from Jerusalem after deceiving Jerusalem with kind words. The Antiochus issued a decree that all nations should abandon their customs and become one people. He commanded the Jews to forget the Sabbath, festivals, offerings, circumcision & defile the Temple. Penalty for disobedience was death. Many Israelites disobeyed God and obeyed Antiochus but many Jews would rather die then break God’s holy covenant. …show more content…

At the same time another Jew is about to offer the sacrifice but Mattathias, angry, does what needed to be done and kills him and then the official who was commanding him to offer a pagan sacrifice. Mattathias then runs through the streets and calls everyone who is faithful to God to come with him into the wilderness. Mattathias attacks in the Guerrilla Warfare style and kills renegade Jews, forcibly circumcises young boys, tearing down idols, killing Gentile officials and broke Antiochus power. Mattathias dies and appoints his son Judas Maccabeus to be

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