Scripture Daily

Context No. 3892 of 4322 · 2 Maccabees

Context · Reflection

2 Maccabees 11:6-15: in context

6When Maccabaeus and his men learned that he was besieging the strongholds, they and all the people with lamentations and tears made supplication to the Lord to send a good angel to save Israel. 7Maccabaeus himself took up weapons first, and exhorted the others to put themselves in jeopardy together with him and help their kindred; and they went out with him very willingly. 8As they were there, close to Jerusalem, a horseman appeared at their head in white apparel, brandishing weapons of gold. 9They all together praised the merciful God, and were yet more strengthened in heart, being ready to assail not only men but the wildest animals and walls of iron, 10they advanced in array, having him who is in heaven to fight on their side, for the Lord had mercy on them. 11Hurling themselves like lions against the enemy, they killed eleven thousand infantry and one thousand six hundred cavalry, and forced all the rest to flee. 12Most of them escaped wounded and naked. Lysias himself also escaped by shameful flight. 13But as he was a man not void of understanding, pondering the defeat which had befallen him, and considering that the Hebrews could not be overcome because the Almighty God fought on their side, he sent again 14and persuaded them to come to terms on condition that all their rights were acknowledged, and promised that he would also persuade the king to become their friend. 15Maccabaeus gave consent upon all the conditions which Lysias proposed to him, being careful of the common good; for whatever requests Maccabaeus delivered in writing to Lysias concerning the Jews the king allowed.

Outnumbered and facing a siege, Judas Maccabaeus and his people do not first sharpen their swords but fall to prayer, begging the Lord with tears to send a good angel to save Israel. Then, as they advance, a horseman in white appears at their head, and they take heart, praising the merciful God and going into battle with the sense that heaven itself was fighting for them.

Even their opponent Lysias, reflecting on his defeat, concludes that the Hebrews could not be overcome because God fought on their side. Two things stand out. Before the battle came the prayer; the people cried out to God first, casting themselves on his mercy rather than their own strength. And their confidence in action came from the conviction that God was with them; they advanced boldly because they had heaven on their side. There is encouragement here, not for reckless conflict, but for facing our own overwhelming struggles God's way: on our knees first, crying to him for help, and then acting in the confidence that the God who fights for his people is with us.

When I face a struggle that feels beyond me, do I turn first to God in prayer, casting myself on his mercy, and then act in the confidence that he is with those who trust him?

Sources