Jews continued to find life in Jerusalem difficult. Mattahias moved his family from Jerusalem to Modein, but found that being faithful wasn't easy there either. The king's officers tried to get his family to apostasy, making a public sacrifice at the altar, by offering a bribe of silver and gold as well as access to the king.
Mattahias refused, but another Jew complied. Mattahias was incensed. He killed the apostate as well as the king's officer, then tore down the altar.
He shouted out to the crowd, "Let everyone who is zealous for the law and supports the covenant come out with me!" Many came with him and his family to live in the wilderness.
What do we have to give up in order to cooperate with the powerful?
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