Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/408

 so  that,  when  they  found  themselves  assailed  by  a severe  temptation, they  remained  firm. Let the  same  maxim  be  stamped  on your  heart! Abide by  this  principle  in  little  things,  and  then,  by God’s  grace,  you  will  stand  firm  in  the  hour  of  trial. “Lead us not  into  temptation!”

t the time  when  Antiochus  was  thus  cruelly  persecuting the Jews,  there  was  in  Judaea  a priest  named  Mathathias, who had  five  sons. This zealous  priest,  having  learnt  that  Antiochus had  profaned  the  Temple  and  nearly  destroyed  the  worship of  the  true  God,  was  filled  with  the  deepest  sorrow. He knew that  the  wicked  king  would  soon  succeed  in  his  impious designs, if  the  Jews  did  not  offer  a vigorous  resistance.

He, therefore,  called  upon  all  who  had  any  zeal  for  the  laws of God  to  rise  up  with  him,  in  defence  of  their  sacred  rights. Then he  and  his  sons  fled  to  the  mountains,  where  they  were soon joined  by  the  valiant  men  of  Israel,  and  quickly  formed  a powerful  army. They destroyed  the  altars  of  the  false  gods, bravely defended  the  law  of  the  Lord,  and  compelled  the  apostate Jews to  leave  the  country.

After the  death  of  Mathathias,  Judas,  surnamed  Machabeus , or the  Hammerer,  on  account  of  his  invincible  courage  and  great valour, assumed  the  command  of  the  Jewish  army. In battle  he showed  himself  brave  as  a lion — had  several  engagements  with  the Syrian generals,  and  recovered  Jerusalem  and  the  Temple. With a sorrowful heart  he  saw  the  Temple  in  its  desecrated  and  desolate state,  the  altar  profaned,  and  the  grass  growing  in  the  deserted courts.