8. What would be an appropriate message that could be carved on their tomb to remind our nation’s people? Perhaps these words:
9. HERE LIE BURIED AN OLD PRIEST, AN OLD WOMAN, AND SEVEN CHILDREN BECAUSE OF THE VIOLENCE OF A TYRANT WHO WISHED TO DESTROY THE HEBREW WAY OF LIFE.
10. THEY WON JUSTICE FOR THEIR NATION BY FIXING THEIR EYES ON GOD AND ENDURING TORTURE TO THE POINT OF DEATH.
11. The competition in which they were engaged was truly divine.
12. Moral character itself handed out awards that day, having proved their worth through their endurance. Victory brought immortality through an endless life.
13. Eleazar was the first competitor. The mother of the seven children and the brothers competed also.