1 Maccabees 9:19-27: a reflection

19Jonathan and Simon took Judas their brother, and buried him in the tomb of his ancestors at Modin. 20They wept for him. All Israel made great lamentation for him, and mourned many days, and said, 21“How the mighty has fallen, the savior of Israel!” 22The rest of the acts of Judas, and his wars, and the valiant deeds which he did, and his greatness, are not written; for they were exceedingly many. 23It came to pass after the death of Judas, that the lawless emerged within all the borders of Israel. All those who did iniquity rose up. 24In those days there was an exceedingly great famine, and the country went over to their side. 25Bacchides chose the ungodly men and made them rulers of the country. 26They inquired and searched for the friends of Judas, and brought them to Bacchides, and he took vengeance on them and used them spitefully. 27There was great suffering in Israel, such as was not since the time prophets stopped appearing to them.

Judas Maccabeus, who had led Israel faithfully and bravely in the fight for their faith and freedom, has fallen in battle. His brothers bury him, and all Israel mourns him deeply, lamenting the fall of the one who had delivered them. And with his death, the text tells us, the lawless rose up on every side, and there was great distress in Israel. The loss of a faithful leader was felt at once, in the trouble that followed.

Notice the grief at the fall of a faithful leader, and the trouble that followed. Judas had been a defender of his people and their faith; and when he fell, all Israel mourned, for they had lost one who stood for what was right. And his absence was quickly felt: the lawless, held in check while he lived, now rose up, and distress spread. The loss of a good and faithful leader is a real loss, felt in the void it leaves.

That grief is one we know when those who have led us faithfully are taken from us. When a faithful leader, one who stood for what was right and defended what was good, is lost, it is right to mourn; and often their absence is felt in the trouble that follows, as what they held in check breaks loose. Give thanks for the faithful leaders God has given, and do not take them for granted while you have them; their faithfulness is a gift, and their loss a real grief. And when such a one is taken, mourn honestly, as Israel mourned Judas, but do not lose heart; the God who raised up one faithful leader is able to raise up others, and to keep his people through the distress that follows, until he does.

Lord, Judas Maccabeus, who had led Israel faithfully and bravely in the fight for their faith, fell in battle; his brothers buried him and all Israel mourned him deeply, and with his death the lawless rose up and distress spread. Teach me from that grief, which I know when those who have led me faithfully are taken. When a faithful leader, one who stood for what was right and defended what was good, is lost, it is right to mourn; and often their absence is felt in the trouble that follows, as what they held in check breaks loose. Help me give thanks for the faithful leaders you have given, and not take them for granted while I have them; their faithfulness is a gift, and their loss a real grief. And when such a one is taken, help me mourn honestly, as Israel mourned Judas, but not to lose heart; you who raised up one faithful leader are able to raise up others, and to keep your people through the distress that follows, until you do. Give us faithful leaders, Lord, and keep us in the times we lack them.