C. THE OLD WORSHIP RESTORED
And they offered sacrifice according to the law upon the new altar of burnt offerings which they had made. At what time and on what day the Gentiles had profaned it, even on that day was it dedicated afresh, with songs and harps and lutes, and with cymbals. And all the people fell upon their faces, and worshipped, and gave praise unto heaven, which had given them good success. And they kept the dedication of the altar eight days, and offered burnt offerings with gladness, and sacrificed a sacrifice of deliverance and praise. And there was exceeding great gladness among the people, and the reproach of the Gentiles was turned away.
D. THE DEATH OF JUDAS
And when Judas died all Israel made great lamentation for him, and mourned many days, and said, "How is the mighty fallen, the Savior of Israel!"
And the rest of the acts of Judas, and his wars, and the valiant deeds which he did, and his greatness, they are not written; for they were exceeding many.
THE MEANING OF THE STORY
357. Three hundred years ago King Philip II of Spain was the most powerful king in Europe. He was a bitter tyrant, determined to rule his people according to his own will. He was a Roman Catholic and hated all Protestants. The little country of Holland was part of his territory and he ordered the people to become Roman Catholics. They refused, for they were loyal to their own religion. He sent against them a great army under the command of a brutal general, Alva, and all Europe thought that the little people would be crushed. But they fought for their faith and their homes so valiantly that the tyrant was compelled to withdraw. It is almost impossible to destroy patriots.
358. We always admire the heroism of those who resist tyrants. The Jews were often bitterly persecuted and they had many a hero who defended them. One of the greatest of all their heroes was Judas, who was called the Maccabee, or the Hammerer. With a great faith in God and a wonderful courage he defeated large armies. His story is not found in the Old Testament, but in another collection of Hebrew books called "The Apocrypha." The book is I Maccabees.
359 (§96A). At the time of this story the Jews were under the rule of Antiochus, the king of Syria. What was the wish of this tyrant? What insults were offered to the religion of the Jews?
360 (§96B). An old priest was living in one of the villages of Judah with his five noble sons. They were very much distressed about the sad state of their people: but what could they do against the strong king? At last the king's officers came to this village to order the heathen sacrifices. What did they demand of Mattathias, and what did they promise him? How did the old priest answer? What followed?