The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 308: Little by Little (2024)
Sun, 03 Nov
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Fr. Mike highlights how God fights as a heavenly ally with the people of Israel in 2 Maccabees 11, and encourages us to actively fight alongside God in our daily battles. In our reading of Wisdom, Father points out how God corrects us little by little so we can learn to trust him. Today’s readings are 2 Maccabees 11, Wisdom 11-12, and Proverbs 25:8-10. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.
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Hi, my name is Father Mike Schmitz, and you're listening to the Bible in a Year podcast, where we encounter God's voice and live life through the lens of Scripture. The Bible in a Year podcast is brought to you by Ascension.
Using the Great Adventure Bible timeline, we'll read all the way from Genesis to Revelation, discovering how the story of salvation unfolds and how we fit into that story today. It is day 308. We are reading 2 Maccabees chapter 11, as well as Wisdom chapter 11 and chapter 12, Proverbs chapter 25, verses 8 through 10.
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Chapter 2: What readings are covered in Day 308?
As always, the Bible translation I'm reading from is the Revised Standard Version, 2nd I'm using the Great Adventure Bible from Ascension. If you want to download your own Bible in a year reading plan, you can visit ascensionpress.com slash Bible in a year because you do have about a page and a half left. So, you know, it's not too late to get in on the action and on the show.
You can also subscribe to this podcast by clicking on subscribe and receiving daily episodes and daily updates. And it is today, day 308. We're reading 2 Maccabees chapter 11, Wisdom 11 and 12, Proverbs 25, verses 8 through 10.
The Second Book of the Maccabees, Chapter 11 Lysaeus Besieges Betzer Very soon after this, Lysaeus, the king's guardian and kinsman, who was in charge of the government, being vexed at what had happened, gathered about eighty thousand men and all his cavalry and came against the Jews.
He intended to make the city a home for Greeks, and to levy tribute on the temple as he did on the sacred places of the other nations, and to put up the high priesthood for sale every year. He took no account whatever of the power of God, but was elated with his ten thousands of infantry and his thousands of cavalry and his eighty elephants.
Invading Judea, he approached Bet-Zur, which was a fortified place about five leagues from Jerusalem, and pressed it hard. When Maccabeus and his men got word that Lysaeus was besieging the strongholds, they and all the people, with lamentations and tears, begged the Lord to send a good angel to save Israel.
Maccabeus himself was the first to take up arms, and he urged the others to risk their lives with him to aid their brethren. Then they eagerly rushed off together, and there, while they were still near Jerusalem, a horseman appeared at their head clothed in white and brandishing weapons of gold.
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Chapter 3: What is the significance of the Second Book of Maccabees?
And they all together praised the merciful God and were strengthened in heart, ready to assail not only men, but the wildest beasts or walls of iron. They advanced in battle order, having their heavenly ally, for the Lord had mercy on them. They hurled themselves like lions against the enemy and slew 11,000 of them and 1,600 horsemen and forced all the rest to flee.
Most of them got away stripped and wounded, and Lysaeus himself escaped by disgraceful flight. And as he was not without intelligence, he pondered over the defeat which had befallen him and realized that the Hebrews were invincible because the mighty God fought on their side.
So he sent to them and persuaded them to settle everything on just terms, promising that he would persuade the king, constraining him to be their friend. Maccabeus, having regard for the common good, agreed to all that Lysaeus urged, for the king granted every request in behalf of the Jews which Maccabeus delivered to Lysaeus in writing.
The letter written to the Jews by Lysaeus was to this effect. Lysaeus, to the people of the Jews, greeting. John and Absalom, who were sent by you, have delivered your signed communication and have asked about the matters indicated therein. I have informed the king of everything that needed to be brought before him, and he has agreed to what was possible.
If you will maintain your goodwill toward the government, I will endeavor for the future to help promote your welfare. And concerning these matters and their details, I have ordered these men and my representatives to confer with you. Farewell. The 148th year, Dios Corinthians 24. The king's letter ran thus. King Antiochus, to his brother Lysaeus, greeting.
Now that our father has gone on to the gods, we desire that the subjects of the kingdom be undisturbed in caring for their own affairs. We have heard that the Jews do not consent to our father's change to Greek customs, but prefer their own way of living and ask that their own customs be allowed them.
Accordingly, since we choose that this nation also be free from disturbance, our decision is that their temple be restored to them and that they live according to the customs of their ancestors. You will do well, therefore, to send word to them and give them pledges of friendship so that they may know our policy and be of good cheer and go on happily in the conduct of their own affairs.
to the nation the king's letter was as follows king antiochus to the senate of the jews and to the other jews greeting if you are well it is as we desire We also are in good health. Menelaus has informed us that you wish to return home and look after your own affairs.
Therefore, those who go home by the 30th day of Xanthicus will have our pledge of friendship and full permission for the Jews to enjoy their own food and laws just as formerly, and none of them shall be molested in any way for what he may have done in ignorance. And I have also sent Menelaus to encourage you. Farewell. The 148th year, Xanthicus 15th.
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