1 Maccabees 6:28-39: a reflection

28When the king heard this, he was angry, and gathered together all his friends, the rulers of his army, and those who were over the cavalry. 29Bands of hired soldiers came to him from other kingdoms and from islands of the sea. 30The number of his forces was one hundred thousand infantry, and twenty thousand cavalry, and thirty-two elephants trained for war. 31They went through Idumaea, and encamped against Bethsura, and fought against it many days, and made engines of war. The Jews came out and burned them with fire, and fought valiantly. 32Judas marched away from the citadel and encamped at Bethzacharias, near the king’s camp. 33The king rose early in the morning, and marched his army at full speed along the road to Bethzacharias. His forces made themselves ready to battle and sounded their trumpets. 34They offered the elephants the juice of grapes and mulberries, that they might prepare them for the battle. 35They distributed the animals among the phalanxes. They set by each elephant a thousand men armed with coats of mail and helmets of brass on their heads. Five hundred chosen cavalry were appointed for each elephant. 36These were ready beforehand, wherever the elephant was. Wherever the elephant went, they went with it. They didn’t leave it. 37Strong, covered wooden towers were upon them, one upon each elephant, fastened upon it with secure harnesses. Upon each were four valiant men who fought upon them, beside his Indian driver. 38The rest of the cavalry he set on this side and that side on the two flanks of the army, striking terror into the enemy, and protected by the phalanxes. 39Now when the sun shone upon the shields of gold and brass, the mountains lit up, and blazed like flaming torches.

In this account, a king marches against God's people with an overwhelming and terrifying army: a hundred thousand soldiers, thousands of cavalry, and war elephants arrayed for battle, each guarded by a thousand men. And the passage describes the dazzling, intimidating spectacle: when the sun shone on the shields of gold and bronze, the mountains blazed with light. The whole display was designed to strike terror, an overwhelming show of force meant to make the enemy afraid.

Notice the intimidating spectacle of this army. Its size, its elephants, its blazing shields, were meant not only to fight but to frighten, to overwhelm the beholder with a sense of unstoppable force. Such displays of power are designed to strike terror before a blow is struck, to make the enemy despair. And it would have been easy for God's people, facing such a dazzling array, to be paralyzed with fear.

That is how the world's shows of force often work upon us. We are confronted with impressive, intimidating displays, of power, of wealth, of opposition, of forces arrayed against us, designed to make us feel small and afraid, to overwhelm us with a sense that we cannot possibly stand. But we need not be overawed by such displays. The dazzling show is not the same as invincible reality; and God is greater than any array of force. When you are confronted with intimidating displays, of opposition, of power, of forces that seem overwhelming, do not be paralyzed by fear. The blazing shields and the war elephants are meant to frighten; but the God who is with you is greater than any such display. Do not be overawed by impressive shows of force; trust the God who is greater, and refuse to let the dazzling spectacle rule your heart with fear.

Lord, in this account a king marched against your people with an overwhelming, terrifying army, war elephants and shields blazing in the sun, a dazzling display meant to strike terror. Show me how the world's shows of force often work upon me. I am confronted with impressive, intimidating displays, of power, of wealth, of opposition, of forces arrayed against me, designed to make me feel small and afraid, to overwhelm me with a sense that I cannot stand. But help me not be overawed by such displays. The dazzling show is not the same as invincible reality; and you are greater than any array of force. When I am confronted with intimidating displays, of opposition, of power, of forces that seem overwhelming, keep me from being paralyzed by fear. The blazing shields and war elephants are meant to frighten; but you, who are with me, are greater than any such display. Help me not be overawed by impressive shows of force, but trust you, who are greater, and refuse to let the dazzling spectacle rule my heart with fear.