Context No. 3358 of 4322 · 2 Maccabees

2 Maccabees 2:13-18: in context

13The same things were reported both in the public archives and in Nehemiah’s records, and also how he, founding a library, gathered together the books about the kings and prophets, and the writings of David, and letters of kings about sacred gifts. 14In like manner Judas also gathered together for us all those books that had been scattered by reason of the war, and they are still with us. 15If therefore you have need of them, send some people to bring them to you. 16Seeing then that we are about to celebrate the purification, we write to you. You will therefore do well if you celebrate the days. 17Now God, who saved all his people, and restored the heritage to all, with the kingdom, the priesthood, and the consecration, 18even as he promised through the law—in God have we hope, that he will soon have mercy upon us, and gather us together out of everywhere under heaven into his holy place; for he delivered us out of great evils, and purified the place. ———————

This passage records a quiet, precious act: the gathering and preserving of the sacred writings. Nehemiah had founded a library, collecting the books of the kings and prophets and the writings of David; and later Judas, after war had scattered them, gathered them together again so they would not be lost. In times of upheaval, faithful people took care to save the Scriptures for the generations to come.

It is easy to overlook, but the preservation of God's word through wars and exiles was itself a work of faith and love. We hold the Scriptures today because in every age people took pains to keep them safe, copying, collecting, protecting them through danger. And the writer's hope rests not on the books alone but on God: he who saved his people will gather them again and show mercy. Preserving God's word is a labor of hope, done in trust that the God who gave the word will keep his people by it, and gather them at last.

Do I treasure and help preserve God's word, recognizing it as a gift kept safe through many generations by faithful care?

Sources

2 Maccabees 2:13: "Founding a library, [he] gathered together the books about the kings and prophets, and the writings of David."
2 Maccabees 2:14: "Judas also gathered together for us all those books that had been scattered by reason of the war, and they are still with us."
2 Maccabees 2:18: "In God have we hope, that he will soon have mercy upon us, and gather us together... into his holy place."