Part 19

And he came and told Esther the words of Mordecai. Then Esther gave him a message unto Mordecai, saying: "All the king's servants, and the people of the king's provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or woman, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law for him, that he be put to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days."

And they told to Mordecai Esther's words. Then Mordecai bade them return answer unto Esther, "Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews. For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall relief and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place, but thou and thy father's house shall perish: and who knoweth whether thou art not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"

Then Esther bade them return answer unto Mordecai, "Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast in like manner; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish."

So Mordecai went his way, and did according to all that Esther had commanded him.

=Sec.95. Esther's Brave Intercession= (Esther 5:1-5; 7:2-6, 9, 10; 8:1-8, 9, 11, 15-17; 9:1, 2, 5, 20-23, 32)

A. THE DANGEROUS INTERVIEW

Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king's house, over against the king's house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the entrance of the house. And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favor in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre. Then said the king unto her, "What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall be given thee even to the half of the kingdom."

And Esther said, "If it seem good unto the king, let the king and Haman come this day unto the banquet that I have prepared for him."

Then the king said, "Cause Haman to make haste, that it may be done as Esther hath said."

So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared. And the king said unto Esther, "What is thy petition, queen Esther? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed."

Then Esther the queen answered and said, "If I have found favor in thy sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request: for we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish."

Then spake the king Ahasuerus and said unto Esther the queen, "Who is he, and where is he, that durst presume in his heart to do so?"

And Esther said, "An adversary and an enemy, even this wicked Haman."

Then Haman was afraid before the king and the queen. Then said one of the chamberlains that were before the king, "Behold also, the gallows fifty cubits high, which Haman hath made for Mordecai standeth in the house of Haman."

And the king said, "Hang him thereon."

So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king's wrath pacified.

B. THE DELIVERANCE OF THE JEWS

On that day did the king Ahasuerus give the house of Haman the Jews' enemy unto Esther the queen. And Mordecai came before the king; for Esther had told what he was unto her. And the king took off his ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it unto Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman.

And Esther spake yet again before the king, and fell down at his feet, and besought him with tears to put away the mischief of Haman and his device that he had devised against the Jews. Then the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre. So Esther arose, and stood before the king. And she said, "If it please the king, and if I have found favor in his sight, and the thing seem right before the king, and I be pleasing in his eyes, let it be written to reverse the letters devised by Haman which he wrote to destroy the Jews which are in all the king's provinces: for how can I endure to see the evil that shall come unto my people? or how can I endure to see the destruction of my kindred?"

Then the king Ahasuerus said unto Esther the queen and to Mordecai the Jew, "Behold, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and him they have hanged upon the gallows, because he laid his hand upon the Jews. Write ye also to the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king's name, and seal it with the king's ring: for the writing which is written in the king's name, and sealed with the king's ring, may no man reverse."

Then were the king's scribes called at that time, and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded unto the Jews, and to the satraps, and the governors and princes of the provinces, that the king granted the Jews which were in every city to gather themselves together, and to stand for their life, to destroy, to slay, and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and province that would assault them, their little ones and women, and to take the spoil of them for a prey.

And Mordecai went forth from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a robe of fine linen and purple: and the city of Shushan shouted and was glad. The Jews had light and gladness, and joy and honor. And in every province, and in every city, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, the Jews had gladness and joy, a feast and a good day. And many from among the peoples of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews was fallen upon them.

C. THE FEAST OF THE DELIVERANCE

Now in the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the king's commandment and his decree drew near to be put in execution, in the day that the enemies of the Jews hoped to have rule over them; whereas it was turned to the contrary, that the Jews had rule over them that hated them; the Jews gathered themselves together in their cities throughout all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, to lay hand on such as sought their hurt: and no man could withstand them; for the fear of them was fallen upon all the peoples. And the Jews smote all their enemies with the stroke of the sword, and with slaughter and destruction, and did what they would unto them that hated them.

And Mordecai wrote letters unto all the Jews that were in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, both nigh and far, to enjoin them that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same, yearly, as the days wherein the Jews had rest from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to gladness, and from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days of feasting and gladness, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor. And the Jews undertook to do as they had begun, and as Mordecai had written unto them.

And the commandment of Esther confirmed these matters of the feast of Purim; and it was written in the book.

THE MEANING OF THE STORY

346. Among the stories of their heroes the Jews preserved several stories of heroines, and none is more striking than that of the patriot queen, whose extraordinary bravery saved her people. There are many kinds of bravery, some in doing, some in suffering. Let us try to get a correct judgment of Esther.

347 (Sec.93A). The first part of the story shows how Esther became the queen of Persia. What kind of feast did the king give? What command did he give to Vashti? Let us remember that ladies in the East do not often appear in public before men. How did it happen that Vashti was deposed?

348 (Sec.93B). What plan was proposed to secure a most beautiful wife for the king? Who was Mordecai? How did he get Esther introduced to the king? How did she become queen? Note that her cousin had advised her not to let it be known that she was a Jewess, because there was a prejudice against her nation.

349 (Sec.94A). The villain of the story is Haman. What high place did he hold? How did Mordecai offend him? What revenge did he plan?

350 (Sec.94B). Mordecai knew that when a royal decree had been issued it could not be changed. How did he behave? What did he request Esther to do?

351 (Sec.94B). Notice the strict rule of the Persian court. No one could see the king unless summoned by him. How different from our democratic government, where any citizen may at least ask permission to see the president! But Mordecai urged Esther to risk her life to save her people. Now see how brave she was. She might have said, "No one knows that I am a Jewess. I am quite safe as the king's wife. I will keep silent. It would be folly to risk my life by offending the king." But she decided to risk her great place with its wealth and luxury, and also her life, because her duty to her people required it. What answer did she send to Mordecai?

352 (Sec.95A). Describe Esther's approach to the king. The tyrant happened to be in a good humor, so she was safe. What invitation did she extend?

353 (Sec.95A). Haman was delighted with the great honor the queen did him. He had no idea that his enemy, whom he had planned to hang on a high gallows, was the queen's cousin. How did it all turn out?

354 (Sec.95B). How was Mordecai promoted? We must remember that although Haman was dead, the king's decree for the slaughter of the Jews could not be changed. But permission could be given to the Jews to defend themselves on the day of the massacre. How was this arranged?

355 (Sec.95C). Of course this is an old story of times when people took fierce revenge, so we learn that the Jews slaughtered their enemies. But it was a great deliverance, and Mordecai and Esther planned that a great feast should be kept to celebrate it. What kind of feast was it?

356 (Sec.95C). The Jews still keep the Feast of Purim. It is one of the merriest times they have. They have all kinds of fun and give presents, as we do at Christmas. And they still honor the beautiful queen, who stood with her own people in their peril, and saved them by her wit and courage.

WRITTEN REVIEW

Recall Mordecai's suggestion to Esther (p. 356). In the days of chivalry knights had a motto: _Noblesse oblige_ meaning that those of noble rank had an obligation to serve those in need. Any strength or good we have is not for our own use, but to help others with. Take this as your motto. Draw a banner and inscribe in colors: _Noblesse oblige_.

XXXIII. JUDAS, THE HAMMERER

THE STORY

=Sec.96. The Tyrant and the Heroes= (I Macc. 1:41-50, 54-57; 2:1-7, 14, 15, 17-25, 27, 28, 44, 45, 48-50, 64-66, 70)

A. THE TYRANNY OF ANTIOCHUS

Antiochus, king of Syria, who had rule over many peoples and over the Jews, wrote to his whole kingdom, that all should be one people, and that each should forsake his own laws. And all the nations agreed according to the word of the king, and many of Israel consented to his worship, and sacrificed to the idols, and profaned the sabbath. And the king sent letters by the hand of messengers unto Jerusalem and the cities of Judah, that they should follow laws strange to the land, and should profane the sabbaths and feasts, and pollute the sanctuary; that they should build altars, and temples for idols, and should sacrifice swine's flesh and unclean beasts. And whosoever shall not do according to the word of the king, he shall die.

And they built an abomination of desolation upon the altar, and in the cities of Judah they built idol altars. And they rent in pieces the books of the law which they found, and set them on fire. And wheresoever was found with any a book of the covenant, and if any consented to the law, the king's sentence delivered him to death.

B. THE OLD HERO AND HIS FIVE SONS

In those days rose up Mattathias the priest, who dwelt at Modin. And he had five sons, John, Simon, Judas who was called Maccabaeus (the Hammerer), Eleazar, Jonathan. And he saw the blasphemies that were committed in Judah and in Jerusalem, and he said. "Woe is me! wherefore was I born to see the destruction of my people and of the holy city? Wherefore should we live any longer?"

And Mattathias and his sons rent their clothes, and put on sackcloth, and mourned exceedingly.

And the king's officers came into the city Modin to sacrifice. And they spake to Mattathias saying, "Thou art a ruler and an honorable and great man in this city, and strengthened with sons and brethren; now therefore come thou first and do the commandment of the king, as all the nations have done, and the men of Judah, and they that remain in Jerusalem: and thou and thy house shall be in the number of the king's Friends, and thou and thy sons shall be honored with silver and gold and many gifts."

And Mattathias answered and said with a loud voice, "If all the nations that are in the king's dominion hearken unto him, to fall away each one from the worship of his fathers, and have made choice to follow his commandments, yet will I and my sons and my brethren walk in the covenant of our fathers. We will not hearken to the king's words, to go aside from our worship, on the right hand, or on the left."

And when he had left speaking these words, there came a Jew in the sight of all to sacrifice on the altar which was at Modin, according to the king's commandment. And Mattathias saw it, and his zeal was kindled, and he showed forth his wrath, and ran and slew him upon the altar. And the king's officer, who compelled men to sacrifice, he killed at that time, and pulled down the altar. And he cried with a loud voice, "Whosoever is zealous for the law, let him come forth after me."

And Mattathias and his sons fled into the mountains, and they mustered a host and smote sinners in their anger, and they went round about, and pulled down the altars, and they rescued the law out of the hand of the Gentiles.

And the days of Mattathias drew near that he should die, and he said unto his sons, "My children, be ye zealous for the law, and give your lives for the covenant of your fathers. Be strong and show yourselves men in behalf of the law; for therein shall ye obtain glory. And, behold, Simon your brother, I know that he is a man of counsel; give ear unto him alway: he shall be a father unto you. And Judas Maccabaeus, he hath been strong and mighty from his youth: he shall be your captain, and shall fight the battle of the people."

And he blessed them, and was gathered to his fathers. And all Israel made great lamentation for him.

=Sec.97. The Great Deliverance= (I Macc. 3:1, 2, 13, 15-23, 25, 34, 35; 4:14, 25, 28, 34, 36-40, 42, 43, 47, 48, 53-56, 58; 9:20-22)

A. THE VICTORIES OF JUDAS

And his son Judas, who was called Maccabaeus, rose up in his stead. And all his brethren helped him, and so did all they that clave unto his father. And they fought with gladness the battle of Israel.

And Seron, the commander of the host of Syria, heard that Judas had gathered a congregation of faithful men with him, and of such as went out to war. And he went up with a mighty army of the ungodly to take vengeance on the children of Israel.

And Judas went forth to meet him with a small company. But when they saw the army coming to meet them they said unto Judas, "What? shall we be able, being a small company, to fight against so great and strong a multitude? And we for our part are faint, having tasted no food this day."

And Judas said, "It is an easy thing for many to be shut up in the hands of a few; and with heaven it is all one to save by many or by few: for victory in battle standeth not in the multitude of a host; but strength is from heaven. They come to destroy us and our wives and our children: but we fight for our lives and our laws. Be ye not afraid of them."

Now when he had left off speaking, he leapt suddenly upon them, and Seron and his army were discomfited before him.

And the fear of Judas and his brethren, and the dread of them, began to fall upon the nations round about them. And king Antiochus gave Lysias half of his forces, and the elephants, and gave him charge to destroy the strength of Israel, and the remnant of Jerusalem. And Lysias chose three mighty men; and with them he sent forty thousand footmen, and seven thousand horse, to go into the land of Judah, and to destroy it. And Judas joined battle, and the Gentiles were discomfited. And Israel had a great deliverance that day.

And the next year Lysias gathered together sixty thousand chosen footmen, and five thousand horse. And Judas met them with ten thousand men. And they joined battle; and there fell of the army of Lysias about five thousand men.

B. THE TEMPLE CLEANSED

Judas and his brethren said, "Behold, our enemies are discomfited; let us go up to cleanse the holy place and to dedicate it afresh."

And all the army was gathered together, and they went up unto mount Zion. And they saw the sanctuary laid desolate, and the altar profaned and the gates burned up, and shrubs growing in the court as in a forest, and the priests' chambers pulled down. And they rent their clothes, and made great lamentation, and put ashes upon their heads, and fell on their faces to the ground, and cried toward heaven.

Then Judas chose blameless priests, and they cleansed the holy place. And they built a new altar after the fashion of the former; and they built the holy place, and the inner parts of the house; and they hallowed the courts.

C. THE OLD WORSHIP RESTORED

And they offered sacrifice according to the law upon the new altar of burnt offerings which they had made. At what time and on what day the Gentiles had profaned it, even on that day was it dedicated afresh, with songs and harps and lutes, and with cymbals. And all the people fell upon their faces, and worshipped, and gave praise unto heaven, which had given them good success. And they kept the dedication of the altar eight days, and offered burnt offerings with gladness, and sacrificed a sacrifice of deliverance and praise. And there was exceeding great gladness among the people, and the reproach of the Gentiles was turned away.

D. THE DEATH OF JUDAS

And when Judas died all Israel made great lamentation for him, and mourned many days, and said, "How is the mighty fallen, the Savior of Israel!"

And the rest of the acts of Judas, and his wars, and the valiant deeds which he did, and his greatness, they are not written; for they were exceeding many.

THE MEANING OF THE STORY

357. Three hundred years ago King Philip II of Spain was the most powerful king in Europe. He was a bitter tyrant, determined to rule his people according to his own will. He was a Roman Catholic and hated all Protestants. The little country of Holland was part of his territory and he ordered the people to become Roman Catholics. They refused, for they were loyal to their own religion. He sent against them a great army under the command of a brutal general, Alva, and all Europe thought that the little people would be crushed. But they fought for their faith and their homes so valiantly that the tyrant was compelled to withdraw. It is almost impossible to destroy patriots.

358. We always admire the heroism of those who resist tyrants. The Jews were often bitterly persecuted and they had many a hero who defended them. One of the greatest of all their heroes was Judas, who was called the Maccabee, or the Hammerer. With a great faith in God and a wonderful courage he defeated large armies. His story is not found in the Old Testament, but in another collection of Hebrew books called "The Apocrypha." The book is I Maccabees.

359 (Sec.96A). At the time of this story the Jews were under the rule of Antiochus, the king of Syria. What was the wish of this tyrant? What insults were offered to the religion of the Jews?

360 (Sec.96B). An old priest was living in one of the villages of Judah with his five noble sons. They were very much distressed about the sad state of their people: but what could they do against the strong king? At last the king's officers came to this village to order the heathen sacrifices. What did they demand of Mattathias, and what did they promise him? How did the old priest answer? What followed?

361 (Sec.96B). The priest and his sons went to the hills, where they could find refuge in the caves. Who joined them? What did they do? The fierce contest was too severe for the old man, and he soon fell ill. What were his last words to his sons?

362 (Sec.97A). Who took the lead after the death of the old priest? Note that there was no jealousy among those noble brothers. Tell the story of the first victory over the Syrians.

363 (Sec.97A). The king was astonished that his forces should be defeated by the little army of patriots. Great preparations to crush the Jews were made. Note that elephants with armed men were employed. What was the result of the campaigns?

364 (Sec.97B). At last the victories were so conclusive that they thought it safe to go to Jerusalem and clean out the abominations from the temple. In what condition did they find the temple? How did it affect them? How did Judas purify it?

365 (Sec.97C). Note how happy they were when they could worship once more in the house of God. Describe the celebration.

366 (Sec.97D). One can imagine how greatly the Jews would honor such a deliverer as Judas. How did they mourn for him at his death?

WRITTEN REVIEW

Imagine yourself a boy (or girl) about thirteen years old, living in the village of Modin a little over two thousand years ago. Imagine that you were present on the day when the officers came to command the heathen sacrifice. Then imagine yourself writing a letter describing everything that took place that day. Write it in the first person to some friend who was absent. Describe the whole scene just as it lies in your mind, and tell what you think of the heroes.

XXXIV. DANIEL AND HIS FRIENDS

THE STORY

=Sec.98. The Training of the Young Men= (Daniel 1:1-19)

When Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, came against Jerusalem and captured it, certain of the youths of the nobility were taken and given into the charge of the master of the king's servants that he should teach them the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans. And the king appointed for them a daily portion of the king's meat, and of the wine which he drank, and that they should be nourished three years; that at the end thereof they might stand before the king. Now among these were, of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. And the master gave names unto them: unto Daniel he gave the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abed-nego.

But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the master that he might not defile himself. Now God made Daniel to find favor and compassion in the sight of the master. And he said unto Daniel, "I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the youths which are of your own age? so should ye endanger my head with the king."

Then said Daniel to the steward, whom the master had appointed over them, "Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us vegetables to eat, and water to drink. Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the youths that eat of the king's meat; and as thou seest, deal with thy servants."