What is the book of 3 Maccabees about?
The book of 3 Maccabees is a story from the Apocrypha, a collection of books written between 200 BC and 100 AD. It tells the story of three Jewish brothers, Eleazar, Jonathan, and Simon, who are sent to Egypt to plead with the king, Ptolemy IV Philopator, to stop persecuting their people.
The brothers are successful in their mission and the king agrees to stop the persecution. However, the king then tests the brothers’ loyalty by asking them to bow down to an idol. The brothers refuse and are thrown into a lion’s den.
Miraculously, the lions do not attack the brothers and the king is so impressed that he releases them. The king then orders a great feast to celebrate the brothers’ courage and loyalty.
The book of 3 Maccabees is a story of faith and courage in the face of adversity. It reminds us that God is always with us, even in the darkest times. It is a story of hope, perseverance, and a reminder that God will always provide a way out of any situation.
What lessons should we take away from 3 Maccabees?
- God is faithful and will protect His people. The book of 3 Maccabees shows how God protected the Jews from the wicked king Ptolemy IV and his army. This is a reminder that God is always faithful and will protect His people from harm.
- We should be willing to stand up for what is right. The Maccabees were willing to stand up for their faith and fight for their freedom despite overwhelming odds. This is a reminder that we should be willing to stand up for what is right, even when it is difficult.
- We should be thankful for God’s blessings. The book of 3 Maccabees shows how God blessed the Jews with victory over their enemies. This is a reminder to be thankful for the blessings God has given us.
- We should trust in God’s plan. The Maccabees trusted in God’s plan for their deliverance, even when it seemed impossible. This is a reminder to trust in God’s plan for our lives, even when it doesn’t make sense to us.
What are some notable verses from the book of 3 Maccabees?
- 3 Maccabees 2:4: “For the Lord has done great things for us, and we rejoice in his glorious works.”
- 3 Maccabees 2:29: “For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.”
- 3 Maccabees 5:7: “For the Lord is a God of mercy and compassion, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.”
- 3 Maccabees 6:7: “For the Lord is a God of justice, who knows no partiality.”
- 3 Maccabees 7:16: “For the Lord is a God of truth, and he will never forsake his people.”
The Third Book of the Maccabees is recognized as Deuterocanonical Scripture by the Greek Orthodox and Russian Orthodox Churches. It is considered to be apocrypha by most other church traditions.
