2 maccabees 7:28 - I beseech you, my child, to lift your eyes to the heaven and the earth, and to see all things that are therein, and thus to recognize that God made them not of things that were, and that the race of men in this wise comes into being.
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What does "2 maccabees 7:28" mean?
This verse from 2 Maccabees 7:28 is a powerful statement about creation and faith, spoken by a mother to her son as he faces martyrdom for refusing to violate Jewish law. Let's break down its meaning:
"I beseech you, my child...": This is a heartfelt plea from a mother to her son. "Beseech" means to earnestly ask or implore. She's urging him to consider something very important.
"...to lift your eyes to the heaven and the earth, and to see all things that are therein...": She's telling him to look around at the natural world, the vastness of the sky, the complexity of the earth, and everything that exists within them. This is an invitation to contemplation and wonder.
"...and thus to recognize that God made them not of things that were...": This is the core of the message. It emphasizes the concept of creation ex nihilo, meaning "creation out of nothing." The mother is asserting that God didn't simply rearrange existing materials to form the world; He created everything from absolute nothingness. This highlights God's ultimate power and sovereignty.
"...and that the race of men in this wise comes into being.": This connects the creation of the cosmos to the creation of humanity. Just as God created the universe from nothing, He also brought the human race into existence. The implication is that our lives are also a gift from God, and we owe Him our allegiance.
In essence, the verse means:
"My dear son, I implore you to look around at the incredible world God has made. Recognize that He created everything from nothing. He is the ultimate source of all being, including our own lives. Therefore, stay true to your faith even in the face of death, as your life is a gift from God."
Significance:
Affirmation of Creation ex nihilo: This verse is one of the clearest statements of creation ex nihilo in the Old Testament apocrypha. This belief is central to Jewish and Christian theology.
Encouragement for Faithfulness: The mother uses the concept of creation to strengthen her son's resolve to remain faithful to God's law. If God is the creator of all, then loyalty to Him is paramount.
Martyrdom: The context of the verse is crucial. The mother is encouraging her son to face torture and death rather than renounce his faith. By reminding him of God's power and the value of his life as a gift from God, she steels him for martyrdom.
The verse is a testament to the power of faith, the importance of creation, and the willingness to sacrifice for one's beliefs. It's a call to recognize God's sovereignty and live in accordance with His will.
2 maccabees 7:28 - I beseech you, my child, to lift your eyes to the heaven and the earth, and to see all things that are therein, and thus to recognize that God made them not of things that were, and that the race of men in this wise comes into being.
What does "2 maccabees 7:28" mean?
This verse from 2 Maccabees 7:28 is a powerful statement about creation and faith, spoken by a mother to her son as he faces martyrdom for refusing to violate Jewish law. Let's break down its meaning:
"I beseech you, my child...": This is a heartfelt plea from a mother to her son. "Beseech" means to earnestly ask or implore. She's urging him to consider something very important.
"...to lift your eyes to the heaven and the earth, and to see all things that are therein...": She's telling him to look around at the natural world, the vastness of the sky, the complexity of the earth, and everything that exists within them. This is an invitation to contemplation and wonder.
"...and thus to recognize that God made them not of things that were...": This is the core of the message. It emphasizes the concept of creation ex nihilo, meaning "creation out of nothing." The mother is asserting that God didn't simply rearrange existing materials to form the world; He created everything from absolute nothingness. This highlights God's ultimate power and sovereignty.
"...and that the race of men in this wise comes into being.": This connects the creation of the cosmos to the creation of humanity. Just as God created the universe from nothing, He also brought the human race into existence. The implication is that our lives are also a gift from God, and we owe Him our allegiance.
In essence, the verse means:
"My dear son, I implore you to look around at the incredible world God has made. Recognize that He created everything from nothing. He is the ultimate source of all being, including our own lives. Therefore, stay true to your faith even in the face of death, as your life is a gift from God."
Significance:
Affirmation of Creation ex nihilo: This verse is one of the clearest statements of creation ex nihilo in the Old Testament apocrypha. This belief is central to Jewish and Christian theology.
Encouragement for Faithfulness: The mother uses the concept of creation to strengthen her son's resolve to remain faithful to God's law. If God is the creator of all, then loyalty to Him is paramount.
Martyrdom: The context of the verse is crucial. The mother is encouraging her son to face torture and death rather than renounce his faith. By reminding him of God's power and the value of his life as a gift from God, she steels him for martyrdom.
The verse is a testament to the power of faith, the importance of creation, and the willingness to sacrifice for one's beliefs. It's a call to recognize God's sovereignty and live in accordance with His will.