Author: Thomas Frank
Day 303 – Eleazar’s Martyrdom
Thoughts and Reflection Today we are reminded that punishments are not something that should bring us down but rather we should see it as discipline by our loving father. While God waits for other nations to reach the apex of their wickedness before he destroys them, he does not do this to his people of…
Day 302 – The Pursuit of Wisdom
Thoughts and Reflection Today we read about Jason’s fall from power and the pillage of the temple. The people realize what they have been going through is how the Lord is loving, teaching, and bringing them back to him. They further realize it is just but limited. We are then introduced to Judas Maccabeus. He…
Day 301 – Rising Again
Thoughts and Reflection Today we read about the Greek customs that were introduced in Jerusalem by Jason. Jason was corrupt and became a high priest. He built a gymnasium and enrolled the young men of the City. This ultimately caused their infidelity to the Lord. The Greek customs and culture were being promoted by those…
Day 300 – Conversion of Heart
Thoughts and Reflection Today we read that Heliodorus is sent to collect the Temple treasury. In times of distress, people pray to the Lord and he protects the temple. He has a vision that places him in danger of death and a second vision telling him to praise the Lord and thank Onias for his…
Day 299 – Jeremiah Hides the Ark
Thoughts and Reflection Today we learn about could have happened to the Ark of the Covenant. Jeremiah takes the tent, altar, and the Ark and puts them in a cave on the mountain where Moses died. He did not mark the cave. The author of 2 Maccabees explains that this book will be a summary…
Day 298 – The Gift of Life
Thoughts and Reflection Today we start the last book of the Old Testament. The story starts off with the feast of the purification of the temple – what we now is celebrated as Hanukkah. The story of Nehemiah discovering the sacred fire, which the priests hid as the people were taken to Persia. Nehemiah is…
Day 297 – Using Good Things For Evil
Thoughts and Reflection Today we wrap up the historical narrative of the Israelites until Jesus comes in the New Testament. We will start 2 Maccabees tomorrow and that will offer a different perspective on the same events. At the end of 1 Maccabees, John, the son of Simon, takes over as leader of the people.…
Day 296 – Know Your Heart
Thoughts and Reflection Throughout the first book of Maccabees we see that Judas and Jonathan are great fighters and Simon is a leader. The first book is coming to a close in the second book we will learn which of the people were faithful to the Lord or unfaithful to him. We should always remember…
Day 295 – Israel’s Expectations
Thoughts and Reflection Today we read in Maccabees 14 “Each man sat under his vine and his fig tree and there was none to make them afraid.” The people fight for their sovereignty which they will not hold onto it for long. They think this is a time when God will restore the kingdom that…
Day 294 – Judea Gains Independence
Thoughts and Reflection Today we read about the Jewish warrior’s battle to have an independent nation and achieve freedom for God’s people. The people fight against the greeks but they fight in such a way that respects the Lord. Simon, for example, will spare the life of certain people but force them to leave. This…