The Maccabees: Forgotten Heroes of Israel

This is an epic tale of war, heroism, treachery, and tragedy. It is from a time when God and religion were the center of existence for all men and women. This is a story of a woman and the strength she gave her seven sons. It is the story of an old man who realized manhood and wisdom meet in old age. It is the story of a man and his five sons who left everything and sacrificed their lives to restore God’s laws. But mostly it is a tale of the power of faith and prayer – of God’s hand in man’s work. The story of the family known as the Maccabees took place in the 2nd century before the birth of Christ, when the children of Israel were being persecuted by the Gentiles. Out of one family rose up a father and his five sons to lead the Jews to victory over the persecutors and to restore the Temple that had been profaned by them. One of the Maccabees brothers, Judas, was surnamed Machebeus – that is, the hammer – and thus the family takes on his name – as God’s Hammer against the enemies of His people. This work is adapted from the 1st and 2nd book of Machabees of the Douay-Rheims version of the Holy Bible, with minor editorial changes for clarity. With the historical context provided by Warren H. Carroll by way of introduction, this inspiring true story can be thoroughly enjoyed by all. Thus the underlying truths about faith, prayer, and God’s love for His people can be realized from the reading of this oft overlooked book.