Judith 14:11-19: a reflection

11But as soon as the morning arose, they hanged the head of Holofernes upon the wall, and every man took up his weapons, and they went forth by bands to the ascents of the mountain. 12But when the children of Asshur saw them, they sent word to their leaders, and they went to their captains and tribunes, and to every one of their rulers. 13They came to Holofernes’ tent, and said to him that was over all that he had, “Wake our lord up, now, for the slaves have been bold to come down against us to battle, that they may be utterly destroyed.” 14Bagoas went in, and knocked at the outer door of the tent; for he supposed that Holofernes was sleeping with Judith. 15But when no one answered, he opened it, went into the bedchamber, and found him cast upon the threshold dead; and his head had been taken from him. 16He cried with a loud voice, with weeping, groaning, and shouting, and tore his garments. 17He entered into the tent where Judith lodged, and he didn’t find her. He leaped out to the people, and cried aloud, 18“The slaves have dealt treacherously! One woman of the Hebrews has brought shame upon the house of King Nebuchadnezzar; for, behold, Holofernes lies upon the ground, and his head is not on him!” 19But when the rulers of the army of Asshur heard this, they tore their tunics, and their souls were troubled exceedingly. There were cries and an exceedingly great noise in the midst of the camp.

In this account, the great army that had besieged God's people is thrown into ruin. Their commander, Holofernes, who had spread terror and vowed to destroy them, is discovered dead in his tent, brought down by the hand of one faithful woman. When his servants find him fallen, panic sweeps the camp; the army that had made a whole people afraid collapses into confusion and flight. The proud oppressor who had terrorized others is himself brought to nothing.

Notice the reversal. Holofernes had made God's people tremble; he had come with overwhelming force, confident, arrogant, spreading fear. And now he lies fallen, and the army that leaned on him dissolves. The one who terrorized others is himself humbled; the proud oppressor, who seemed unstoppable, is brought down, and by a means no one expected. The terror he inflicted has recoiled upon his own camp.

That is a comfort to any who suffer under the proud and the oppressive. Those who spread fear, who use their power to terrorize and crush others, can seem unstoppable, as though nothing could bring them down. But God humbles the arrogant; the oppressor does not have the last word. The proud who terrify others are themselves brought low in God's time, often by means they never foresaw. When you are troubled by the arrogance of those who oppress and instill fear, do not despair as though their power were final. God brings down the proud oppressor, as he brought down Holofernes. Trust the God who humbles the arrogant, and do not let the terror of the proud rule your heart, for their power is not the last word.

Lord, Holofernes had terrorized your people and seemed unstoppable, yet he was found fallen, and the proud army that leaned on him dissolved into panic; the oppressor who terrified others was himself brought to nothing. Comfort me with that reversal when I suffer under the proud and oppressive. Those who spread fear, who use their power to crush and terrorize others, can seem unstoppable, as though nothing could bring them down. But you humble the arrogant; the oppressor does not have the last word. The proud who terrify others are themselves brought low in your time, often by means they never foresaw. When I am troubled by the arrogance of those who oppress and instill fear, keep me from despairing as though their power were final. Help me trust the God who humbles the proud, and not let the terror of the arrogant rule my heart, for their power is not the last word. You bring down the oppressor.