Scripture Daily

Context No. 4245 of 4322 · 1 Maccabees

Context · Reflection

1 Maccabees 2:49-60: in context

49The days of Mattathias drew near that he should die, and he said to his sons, “Now pride and scorn have gained strength. It is a season of overthrow and indignant wrath. 50Now, my children, be zealous for the law, and give your lives for the covenant of your fathers. 51Call to remembrance the deeds of our fathers which they did in their generations; and receive great glory and an everlasting name. 52Wasn’t Abraham found faithful in temptation, and it was reckoned to him for righteousness? 53Joseph in the time of his distress kept the commandment, and became lord of Egypt. 54Phinehas our father, because he was exceedingly zealous, obtained the covenant of an everlasting priesthood. 55Joshua became a judge in Israel for fulfilling the word. 56Caleb obtained a heritage in the land for testifying in the congregation. 57David inherited the throne of a kingdom forever and ever for being merciful. 58Elijah was taken up into heaven because he was exceedingly zealous for the law. 59Hananiah, Azariah, and Mishael believed, and were saved out of the flame. 60Daniel was delivered from the mouth of lions for his innocence.

As Mattathias comes to the end of his life in a time of fierce persecution, he gathers his sons and strengthens them for the hard days ahead. And the way he does it is by remembering: he calls to mind the faithful who went before, Abraham found faithful when tested, Joseph keeping the commandment in distress, Phinehas in his zeal, Joshua, Caleb, David, Elijah, the three young men saved from the flames, Daniel delivered from the lions. Remember the deeds of our fathers, he urges, and be courageous.

What stands out is how Mattathias fortifies his sons: not with new arguments, but with the memory of the faithful. Each name he recalls is an example of someone who trusted God under pressure and was upheld. By remembering their faith and God's faithfulness to them, his sons could take courage to be faithful in their own hard time. The examples of those who went before became fuel for present endurance.

When faithfulness is hard and we are tempted to give way, it strengthens us to remember those who have gone before, the faithful of Scripture and of our own lives, who trusted God through trial and were not put to shame. Their example encourages us that we too can stand, and that the God who upheld them will uphold us. Surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, we take courage to run our own race with endurance.

When faithfulness is hard and I am tempted to give way, do I draw strength, as Mattathias urged his sons to do, from remembering the faithful who went before me, who trusted God through trial and were upheld, taking courage that the God who sustained them will sustain me?

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