When Alcimus (the former high priest who after being ousted of his role sought and got support from Demetrius by attacking the reputation of Judas Maccabeus) noticed that Judas now was valued highly be Nicanor (govenor and general), he went to Demetrius to attack Nicanor as disloyal for supporting Judas (who Alcimus had convinced Demetrius was a traitor). The king responded by commanding that Judas be sent immediately to Antioch as prisoner.
Nicanor was troubled and grieved. He neither wanted to follow this order or to harm his friend. Noticing that Nicanor wasn't treating him as warmly as before, Judas Maccabeus gathered several of his men and went into hiding. As a result, Nicanor went to the temple to demand them to turn Maccabeus over to him and if they didn't, he would completely destroy the temple.
After he left, the priests prayed to the Lord to protect the temple.
Wishing to exhibit the enmity he held for the Jews, Nicanor sent five hundred soldiers to arrest Razis, a man who was known for having risked his life for Judaism when it was under attack. Rather than submit to the arrest, Razis committed suicide in a prolonged, dramatic, and public way.
No comments:
Post a Comment