Page 321 - Bible History

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294 GOD'S CHOSEN PEOPLE IN CAPTIVITY
standing by. His friends told him to obey the king and save his life. He refused to follow their advice. Then they urged him to pretend that he was eating the swine's esh, but to eat the meat which he could lawfully eat. But Eleazar would not deceive the king even to save his life. Besides, he told the people that men can deceive their kings, but they cannot deceive God. He thought, too, of the good example which it was his duty to give to the youth of his nation.
For his faith and obedience to God, he was led to the pillar of scourging and beaten to death.
3. THE SEVEN MACHABEES ARE MARTYRED
It came to pass that seven brothers, together with their mother, were brought before King Antiochus and accused of disobedience to his law. They were ordered to eat the esh of swine, and they refused. The king commanded that they be beaten with whips and scourges, but the oldest of them said, ''We are ready to die rather than to disobey the laws of God which were received from our fathers."
When the king heard this, he became very angry and ordered huge pans and brazen kettles to be made hot. Meanwhile, the tongue of the oldest brother was cut out and his scalp was torn o . They also chopped o his hands and his feet. His mother and his broth­ ers were forced to watch this cruel scene.
Finally, while he was still alive, he was brought to e re to be fried in the pan. His su erings were terrible, but all the while his mother and brothers