Judith 15:1-7: a reflection

1When those who were in the tents heard, they were amazed at what happened. 2Trembling and fear fell upon them, and no man dared stay any more in the sight of his neighbor, but rushing out with one accord, they fled into every way of the plain and of the hill country. 3Those who had encamped in the hill country round about Bethulia fled away. And then the children of Israel, every one who was a warrior among them, rushed out upon them. 4Ozias sent to Betomasthaim, Bebai, Chobai, and Chola, and to every border of Israel, to tell about the things that had been accomplished, and that all should rush upon their enemies to destroy them. 5But when the children of Israel heard this, they all fell upon them with one accord, and struck them to Chobai. Yes, and in like manner also, people from Jerusalem and from all the hill country came (for men had told them about what happened in their enemies’ camp), and those who were in Gilead and in Galilee fell upon their flank with a great slaughter, until they were past Damascus and its borders. 6The rest of the people who lived at Bethulia fell upon the camp of Asshur, and plundered them, and were enriched exceedingly. 7The children of Israel returned from the slaughter, and got possession of that which remained. The villages and the cities that were in the hill country and in the plain country took many spoils; for there was an exceedingly great supply.

In this account, a great besieging army, which had terrified the people of Israel, collapses into panic and flight the moment its commander is found dead. The soldiers, seized with trembling and fear, abandon their camp and flee in every direction, and the people of Israel, who had seemed helpless before them, pursue and defeat them. The mighty host that had inspired such dread proves, once its leader is gone, to be fragile, its strength collapsing in an instant.

Notice how quickly the enemy's strength unravels. The army had seemed overwhelming, a source of terror to God's people; but its strength rested on its commander, and when he was gone, the whole host dissolved into panic. What had looked so formidable was, in fact, fragile, built on a foundation that gave way. The threat that had seemed unstoppable collapsed once God had removed its head.

That is worth remembering when we face what seems overwhelming. The threats and powers that loom over us can seem formidable, a source of dread, as though nothing could stand against them. But strength that is not founded on God is more fragile than it looks; what terrifies us today can collapse tomorrow. God is able to unravel in an instant what seems unstoppable. When you are faced with something that seems too strong to overcome, do not assume its strength is as solid as it appears. The God who dissolved this army can bring down what looms over you. Trust him rather than being ruled by dread of what looks formidable but may prove fragile before him.

Lord, in this account a terrifying army collapsed into panic and flight the moment its commander was gone, its formidable strength proving fragile once you had removed its head. Remember me of this when I face what seems overwhelming. The threats and powers that loom over me can seem unstoppable, a source of dread, as though nothing could stand against them. But strength that is not founded on you is more fragile than it looks; what terrifies me today can collapse tomorrow. You are able to unravel in an instant what seems too strong to overcome. When I face something that seems too strong, keep me from assuming its strength is as solid as it appears. You who dissolved this army can bring down what looms over me. Help me trust you rather than be ruled by dread of what looks formidable but may prove fragile before you.