The Mother and Her Seven Sons

A king ordered that a mother and her seven sons be seized and beaten, trying to force them to eat pork against the law of their ancestors. One brother spoke for them all. He said they were ready to die rather than disobey those laws.

The king became furious. One by one, the brothers were cruelly tortured and killed. As they suffered, they encouraged each other and their mother to die faithfully. Several of the brothers said that God sees, and that he would raise up those who die for his laws.

The fifth and sixth brothers also stood before the king without giving in. They warned him not to think God had abandoned his people. One brother said their people were suffering because of their own sins, but the king would not go unpunished for fighting against God.

The mother watched all this in a single day and showed remarkable courage. She urged each son on in the language of their ancestors. She said that she had not given them life by her own power. The Creator of the world could give life again to those who gave themselves up for his laws.

At last only the youngest was left. The king promised him riches and honour if he would turn away, and he urged the mother to persuade her son. Instead, she told him to look at heaven and earth, trust the God who made all things, and not fear the tyrant. The young man refused the king, spoke of God’s judgment and mercy, and died trusting in the Lord. After her sons, the mother also died.