Light from the Readable Books 26: Maccabean War and Peace, Martyrdom and Resurrection

In this episode we consider the stories of Jonathan and Simon, finishing our study of 1 Maccabees (1 Maccabees 9:24-16:24), and then turn to the stories of martyrdom in 2 Maccabees 7. Our readings are clarified by passages from the Old Testament (1 Kings/3 Kingdoms 5:4, Micah 4:4, Zechariah 8:4, and Ezekiel 34:27) as well as from the New Testament (Hebrews 12; Romans 4:17). Intertwined narratives of war and peace on the grand scale, and personal martyrdom with the hope of resurrection, offer encouragement to us to remain faithful in our own day.