Context No. 2936 of 4322 · 1 Maccabees

1 Maccabees 2:1-5: in context

1In those days Mattathias the son of John, the son of Simeon, a priest of the sons of Joarib, from Jerusalem rose up; and he lived at Modin. 2And he had five sons: John, who was surnamed Gaddis; 3Simon, who was called Thassi; 4Judas, who was called Maccabaeus; 5Eleazar, who was called Avaran; and Jonathan, who was called Apphus.

This is a short and easily skipped list: Mattathias, a priest, moves from Jerusalem to the small town of Modein, and he has five sons, John, Simon, Judas who was called Maccabeus, Eleazar, and Jonathan. Just a father and five named boys in an obscure place.

But this quiet family will lead the whole revolt against Antiochus and his campaign to stamp out the faith. It is a small beginning, one priest and his sons in a country town, before the storm ever breaks. God's deliverances often start exactly like this, not with an army or a famous leader, but with a single faithful household in a place no one is watching, willing to stand when the time comes. Each of the named sons will play his part. The rescue of a people begins with a family ready to be used.

Am I willing to be part of the quiet, faithful household through which God may begin something larger than I can yet see?

Sources

1 Maccabees 2:1: "In those days Mattathias... rose up; and he lived at Modin. And he had five sons."
Judges 6:15: "Behold, my family is the poorest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house."
1 Corinthians 1:27: "God chose the weak things of the world, that he might put to shame the things that are strong."