Praise for the brothers’ achievements
1 So if the seven brothers rose above suffering to the point of death, everyone should recognize that godly thinking is supreme over the emotions.
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If they had shown that they were slaves to their emotions by eating the polluting food, we would have admitted that they were conquered by the emotions.
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But it didn't turn out that way at all. Instead, they dominated the emotions through the kind of clear thinking that deserves praise in God's opinion.
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We can't fail to notice the mind's leadership because they had power over both emotions and pain.
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How can anyone not recognize the ability of good thinking to govern the emotions in such people as these, since they didn't turn away from the severe pain of fire?
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The towers at the entrance of harbors hold back the crashing waves and make a calm place for sailors entering the harbor.
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In the same way, these youths' ability to reason correctly was seven towers beating back the storm of the emotions and defending the harbor of their godly way of life.
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Standing together like a holy chorus of the godly way of life, they encouraged each other, saying,
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"Brothers, let's die together like brothers for the sake of the Law! Let's imitate the three young men in Assyria who refused to back down when facing the same fiery test.
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Let's not be cowards when we are called to demonstrate religious devotion to God."
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One said, "Have courage, brother!" Another said, "Keep going with honor!"
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Still another reminded them, "Remember where you came from. Remember the father by whose hand Isaac was ready to be killed because of his devotion to God!"
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All of them were looking at each other with faces that were bright and full of courage, and said, "Let's set ourselves apart for God with all our hearts. He gave us our lives, so let's use our bodies as guards around the Law.
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Let's not be afraid of the one who wants to kill us;
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because the soul's contest is great, the danger of eternal punishment prepared for those who break God's command is severe.
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So then, let's arm ourselves fully with the power that clear thinking gives for the control of the emotions.
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If we die this way, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob will give us a warm welcome, and all the ancestors will praise us."
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The brothers who were left behind were calling out to each one as he was being dragged away, "Don't let us down, brother, or be disloyal to the brothers who have died before us!"