It was written in Hebrew but has come down to us only in a Greek translation. Its author is a Palestinian Jew writing after 134 B.C. but before the capture of Jerusalem by Pompey in 63 B.C. probably in about 100 B.C. The book is invaluable as a history of the times, though allowances must always be made in such types of literature for the influence of the ancient chronicles of Israel on which they are modelled and also for the intentions of the author.
For despite the space he devotes to battle and political intrigue, the author means to write a religious history. For him the nation's distress is a punishment for sin and successes of his leading figures are won by the help of God. He is a Jew, jealous for the faith which he perceives to be at stake in the struggle between pagan infiltration and ancestral custom. He is therefore an uncompromising foe of hellenisation and an ardent admirer of the heroes who fought for Law and Temple, winning first religious liberty and next, national independence. His story tells how Judaism, the trustee of revelation was preserved to the world.
The Second Book of Maccabees is not the continuation of the first. It is in part parallel to it: telling the Jews in Jerusalem to Jews in Egypt, how to observe the Jewish holiday which celebrates the cleansing or purification of the Temple under Judas Maccabaeus in 164 B.C. It describes events in Judea from 191 to 162 B.C. - 10:1-9 - Judas Maccabaeus's campaign of liberation is supported by apparitions from heaven and triumphantly concluded by divine intervention, the persecution itself is a manifestation of God's lovingkindness, bringing his people to their sense before accumulating sin works final ruin. - 2:19-25, 6:12-17, 15:39 -
The author concerned more with his religious intention than with historical precision. There is the same difference of approach between the First and Second Books of Maccabees as there is between the Books of Samuel or Kings and Chronicles.
The 1 & 2Maccabees is important for its affirmation of the resurrection of the dead - 2Macc. 7:9, 14:45-46 - sanctions in the afterlife - 2Macc. 6:26 - prayer for the dead - 2Macc. 12:41-45 - the spiritual fruits of martyrdom - 2Macc. 6:18- 7:41 - the intercession of the saints - 2Macc. 15:12-16 - Other Old Testament writings had left these teaching vague: but the latter justify the authority accorded to Second Maccabees by the Church.
With his last breath he exclaimed, 'Inhuman fiend, you may discharge us from this present life but the King of the world will raise us up, since it is for his laws that we died, to live again forever'. - 2Macc. 7:9 -
Still breathing and blazing with anger, he struggled to his feet, blood spurting in all directions and despite his terrible wounds ran right through the crowd; then, taking his stand on a steep rock although he had now lost every drop of blood, he tore out his entrails and taking them in both hands flung them among the troops, calling on the Master of his life and spirit to give them back to him one day. Such was the manner of his passing. - 2Macc. 14:45-46 -
Even though for the moment I avoid execution by man, I can never, living or dead, elude the grasp of the Almighty. - 2Macc. 6:26 -
But when they found on each of the dead men, under their tunics, amulets of the idols taken from Jamnia which the Law prohibits to Jews, it became clear to everyone that this was why these men had lost their lives. All then blessed the ways of the Lord, the just judge who brings hidden things to light and gave themselves to prayer, begging that the sin committed might be fully blotted out. Next, the valiant Judas urged the people to keep themselves free from all sin, having seen with their own eyes the effects of the sin of those who had fallen; after this he took out a collection from them individually, amounting to nearly two thousand drachmae and sent it to Jerusalem to have a sacrifice for sin offered, an altogether fine and noble action, in which he took full account of the resurrection. For if he had not expected the fallen to rise again it would have been superflous and foolish to pray for the dead, whereas if he in view the splendid recompense reserved for those who make a pious end, the thought was holy and devout. This was why he had this atonement sacrifice offered for the dead, so that they might be released from their sin. - 2Macc. 12:41-45 -
What he had seen was this: Onias, the former high priest, that paragon of men, modest of bearing and gentle of manners, suitably eloquent and trained from boyhood in the practice of every virtue - Onias was stretching out his hands and praying for the whole nation of the Jews. Next there appeared a man equally remarkable for his great age and dignity and invested with a marvellous and impressive air of majesty. Onias began to speak: 'This is a man' he said 'who loves his brother and prays much for the people and the Holy City - Jeremiah, the prophet of God'. Jeremiah then stretched out his hand and presented Judas with a golden sword, saying as he gave it, 'Take this holy sword as a gift from God; with it you shall strike down enemies'. - 2Macc. 15:12-16 -
'The Book of Wisdom' by the Vulgate......
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Sunday, May 24, 2009
I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!
I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.
HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -
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