19. [1]Esdras and Nehemias now reestablished the Divine service in conformity to the law, and collected the Sacred Scriptures, which thenceforth were diligently read and interpreted. All the people shed tears and repented most sincerely. They never more returned to the sin of idolatry, which had brought upon their fathers the grievous sufferings of their captivity. "When, some time later, Antiochus, King of Syria, tried to compel them to adore idols, they resisted most courageously under the command of the High-Priest Mathathias and his sons; nay, many of them, animated by the glorious example of the aged Eleazar, of the seven brothers, commonly called the Machabees, and of their heroic mother, preferred to suffer the most atrocious of deaths, rather than disobey the law of God.
20. [2]At length the time fixed by God for the fulfilment of His promise arrived; and the signs that were to precede the coming of the Redeemer of mankind were accomplished. The Jews longed for it with the greatest anxiety, and even among the Gentiles there was a current opinion that a great Ruler was to rise in Judea. The corruption in which the world was sunk was unbounded. The Jews, indeed, still acknowledged the one true God; but impious sects, such as the Pharisees and Sadducees, had sprung up amongst them, and a great
- ↑ What is to be observed about Esdras and Nehemias? How did the people then behave? Did they remain faithful to their Lord and God? How did they show their fidelity? Who especially distinguished themselves at that time?
- ↑ Were all the signs that were to precede the coming of the Messias fulfilled at the time of Christ's birth? Were all the signs of His coming accomplished at that time? What was the prevalent feeling of the Jews and the pagans? What was the state of the world? How did this corruption appear among the Jews? And how amongst the other nations? In what did the abomination of idolatry consist? What character does St. Paul give of the heathens? Was there any one then who could help mankind? Did He help them, and how? What did Christ Himself say on this subject?
