154.

Nicanor's head: A manifest sign of the help of God

Apparently Nicanor and at least some of his army survived the previous massacre, because a while later they attack the Jews on the Sabbath day.

Nicanor ... purposed to set upon him with all violence on the sabbath day. 2 Maccabees 15:1

The Jews ... said: Do not act so fiercely and barbarously, but give honour to the day that is sanctified. 15:2

That unhappy man asked, if there were a mighty One in heaven, that had commanded the sabbath day to be kept. 15:3

But Judas trusted in God, telling the people "a dream worthy to be believed."

But [Judas] Machabeus ever trusted with all hope that God would help them. 15:7

He ... told them a dream worthy to be believed. 15:11

Then Onias prayed for the people and Jeremiah ("Jeremias" in the Douay-Reims) the prophet showed up, delivering to Judas a gift from God: a holy, golden, Gentile-killing sword.

Onias ... prayed for all the people of the Jews. 15:12

After this there appeared also another man, admirable for age, and glory, and environed with great beauty and majesty ... Jeremias the prophet of God. 15:13-14

Whereupon Jeremias ... gave to Judas a sword of gold, saying ... Take this holy sword a gift from God, wherewith thou shalt overthrow the adversaries of my people Israel. 15:15-16

The people were inspired by Judas to fight -- not to protect their families and friends, but for the sake of "the holiness of the temple."

Thus being exhorted with the words of Judas ... they resolved to fight 15:17

Their concern was less for their wives, and children, and for their brethren, and kinsfolks: but their greatest and principal fear was for the holiness of the temple. 15:18

Judas reminded the people of how good God is at killing people. After all, didn't he send and angel to kill 185,000 sleeping soldiers? Maybe if they ask him nicely, he'll send another "good angel" to terrorize and kill blasphemers again.

[Judas] Machabeus ... called upon the Lord ... who giveth victory ... according as it seemeth good to him. 15:21

Thou, O Lord, who didst send thy angel ... and didst kill a hundred and eighty-five thousand of the army of Sennacherib. 15:22

Send now also, O Lord of heaven, thy good angel before us, for the fear and dread of the greatness of thy arm, That they may be afraid, who come with blasphemy against thy holy people. 15:23-24

So the Jews prayed with all their hearts and fought with their hands, killing 35,000, while "being greatly cheered with the presence of God."

Judas, and they that were with him, encountered them, calling upon God by prayers. 15:26

So fighting with their hands, but praying to the Lord with their hearts, they slew no less than five and thirty thousand, being greatly cheered with the presence of God. 15:27

When the Jews found out that Nicanor's had been killed, "they made a great noise and blessed the Almighty Lord."

when the battle was over, and they were returning with joy, they understood that Nicanor was slain. 15:28

Then making a shout, and a great noise, they blessed the Almighty Lord. 15:29

Judas commanded that Nicanor's head, hand, and shoulder be cut off and carried to Jerusalem

Judas ... commanded that Nicanor's head, and his hand with the shoulder should be cut off, and carried to Jerusalem. 15:30

Judas showed everyone Nicanor's head and "wicked hand." then he had his tongue cut out and fed, piece by piece, to the birds. Finally, he hung his hand and head over the temple and castle, respectively, as "an evident and manifest sign of the help of God."

And shewing them the head of Nicanor, and the wicked hand ... He commanded also, that the tongue of the wicked Nicanor, should be cut out and given by pieces to birds, and the hand of the furious man to be hanged up over against the temple. 15:32-33

And he hung up Nicanor's head in the top of the castle, that it might be an evident and manifest sign of the help of God. 15:35

So we can add another 35,000 to God's body count.