Page 329 - Bible History

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GOD'S CHOSEN PEOPLE IN CAPTIVITY
encamped at Laisa with only three thousand men, most of whom ed when they saw the great numbers of their enemy. Judas commenced battle with only eight hun­ dred men. He was slain and his army was scattered.
For some time after the death of Judas, the Jews were without a leader.
to take his brother's place at the head of the army. The Syrians had become weary of trying to conquer the Jews, and when the warning came from Rome they
recalled their army.
Shortly after this, Jonathan was rdered. He was
succeeded by Simon, during a great part of whose reign the land was in peace.
Of all the nations of the world at this time, the Jews alone knew the true God and worshiped Him. The rest of the world was buried in idolatry and sin. After the time of-the Machabees, the rulers of the Jewish people were for about ve years engaged in civil war. Brother rose up against brother. At last, the Roman emperor appointed a foreigner, an Edomite· whose name was Herod, to be king of Juda. The time had come which had been foretold by Jacob on his death­ bed. The scepter had passed from Juda and now H Who was sent was about to come, the Expectation of the Nations. The world was waiting for the Savior.
THINGS TO KNOW AND TO DO
1. THE J S ARE RUL BY THE GR S .2. THE JEWS RULED BY THE SYRIANS
The es. so of lhe M ha­
1. What sin did King Antiochus commit when he took the sacred vessels from the Temple?
2. Why were the Jews persecuted by Antiochus? 3. How did the persecutions a ect the Jews?
4. Why is Eleazar specially admirable?
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Finally, they asked Jonathan
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