1 Maccabees 4:12-25: a reflection

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.

In this account, Judas Maccabeus and his outnumbered men rout a foreign army. But in the middle of the victory, as his men might have rushed to grab the spoils of the defeated camp, Judas restrains them: Do not be greedy for the spoils, because there is a battle before us. Gorgias and his army are near us on the mountain. Stand now against our enemies and fight them, and afterward take the spoils with boldness. The fight was not yet over; there was no time to stop and gather rewards while another enemy remained.

Notice Judas's discipline: he would not let his men stop to enjoy the spoils while the battle was unfinished. The temptation, in the flush of a victory, was to relax, to turn aside and gather the rewards; but Judas knew another fight remained, and kept his men focused until the work was truly done. Only afterward, he said, would there be time for the spoils. The reward could wait; the unfinished task could not.

That discipline speaks to how we handle our own unfinished work. There is a temptation, once we have made some progress, won some early success, to relax and turn aside to enjoy the gains before the task is really complete. But like Judas, we do well to keep our focus until the work is truly done, rather than stopping to gather rewards while the real battle remains. Do not grow slack or turn aside to enjoy your gains while the work God has given you is unfinished. Keep your focus, finish the task, and let the rest and reward come afterward. And when the victory comes, remember, as these men did, to give thanks to God, whose mercy endures forever.

Lord, in the flush of victory, Judas restrained his men from grabbing the spoils because another battle still lay before them, keeping them focused until the work was truly done. Give me that discipline. There is a temptation, once I have made some progress or won some early success, to relax and turn aside to enjoy the gains before the task is really complete. Help me keep my focus until the work you have given me is truly done, rather than stopping to gather rewards while the real battle remains. Keep me from growing slack or turning aside too soon. Help me finish the task, and let rest and reward come afterward. And when victory comes, help me remember, as these men did, to give you thanks, for you are good, and your mercy endures forever.