Scripture Daily

Context No. 1099 of 4322 · 1 Maccabees

Context · Reflection

1 Maccabees 4:12-25: in context

12The foreigners lifted up their eyes, and saw them coming near them. 13They went out of the camp to battle. Those who were with Judas sounded their trumpets 14and joined battle. The Gentiles were defeated, and fled into the plain. 15But all those in the rear fell by the sword. They pursued them to Gazara, and to the plains of Idumaea, Azotus, and Jamnia. About three thousand of those men fell. 16Then Judas and his army returned from pursuing them; 17and he said to the people, “Don’t be greedy for the spoils, because there is a battle before us. 18Gorgias and his army are near us on the mountain. But stand now against our enemies and fight against them, and afterwards take the spoils with boldness.” 19While Judas was finishing this speech, a part of them appeared looking out from the mountain. 20They saw that their army had been put to flight, and that the Jews were burning the camp; for the smoke that was seen declared what was done. 21But when they perceived these things, they were very afraid. Perceiving also the army of Judas in the plain ready for battle, 22they all fled into the land of the Philistines. 23Judas returned to plunder the camp, and they took much gold, silver, blue, sea purple, and great riches. 24Then they returned home, and sang a song of thanksgiving, and gave praise to heaven, because he is good, because his mercy endures forever. 25Israel had a great deliverance that day.

Judas Maccabeus and his outnumbered force meet the Gentile army. His men sound trumpets, join battle, and the enemy is routed and pursued. But in the middle of the victory Judas restrains his men with a striking command: do not be greedy for the spoils, because there is still a battle ahead; Gorgias and his army are near on the mountain. Stand and fight the enemy first, and afterward take the spoils with confidence. Sure enough, when Gorgias's force sees their camp burning and Judas ready, they lose heart and flee. Only then does Judas let his men plunder, and they return singing thanksgiving to heaven, for his mercy endures forever.

The turning point is Judas's refusal to let his men stop for the loot too soon. Victory was in hand, the enemy was fleeing, gold and rich fabric were lying there for the taking, and the natural impulse was to grab it. Judas saw the danger: a second army was still on the mountain, and men bent over plunder are men who cannot fight. So he made them hold off, finish the real work, and only then enjoy the reward. There is wisdom in that discipline that reaches well past the battlefield. The temptation, in almost any pursuit, is to stop and enjoy the partial gain before the work is truly done, to be distracted by the spoils while the decisive battle is still ahead. The greedy grab for early reward is exactly what loses the day. Judas kept his men focused, do the whole thing, then take the spoils with boldness, and the discipline is what secured the victory and the thanksgiving that followed. First finish; then feast.

Am I tempted to stop and grab the spoils before the real work is finished, and would the discipline of Judas, do the whole task first and enjoy the reward after, keep me from losing the day?

Sources