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Context No. 3823 of 4322 · Judith

Context · Reflection

Judith 10:6-10: in context

6They went out to the gate of the city of Bethulia, and found Ozias and the elders of the city, Chabris and Charmis standing by it. 7But when they saw her, that her countenance was altered and her apparel was changed, they were greatly astonished by her beauty and said to her, 8“May the God of our fathers give you favor, and accomplish your purposes to the glory of the children of Israel, and to the exaltation of Jerusalem.” Then she worshiped God, 9and said to them, “Command that they open the gate of the city for me, and I will go out to accomplish the things you spoke with me about.” And they commanded the young men to open to her, as she had spoken; 10and they did so. Then Judith went out, she, and her handmaid with her. The men of the city watched her until she had gone down the mountain, until she had passed the valley, and they could see her no more.

Judith, having resolved on a dangerous course to save her besieged city, comes to the city gate, and the elders, struck by her resolve, bless her: may the God of our fathers give you favor and fulfill your purposes, to the glory of Israel. Then she worships God, and goes out through the gate toward the enemy, watched by the men of the city until she passes out of sight.

Whatever we make of the perilous mission ahead, this moment holds something worth noticing. Judith does not set out on her own strength alone. She goes with prayer, worshiping God before she leaves, and with the blessing of her community behind her, who commit her to God as she goes. There is wisdom in this pattern for any hard and risky venture we undertake for good. We are not meant to go it entirely alone, in our own strength; we go with prayer, seeking God's favor, and with the support and blessing of God's people around us. Judith stepped into danger surrounded by prayer, both her own and her people's.

When I face a hard or risky venture, do I set out surrounded by prayer, my own and that of God's people, rather than relying on my own strength alone?

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