1 Maccabees 11:20-29: a reflection

20In those days Jonathan gathered together the Judeans to take the citadel that was at Jerusalem. He made many engines of war to use against it. 21Some lawless men who hated their own nation went to the king and reported to him that Jonathan was besieging the citadel. 22He heard, and was angry, but when he heard it, he set out immediately, and came to Ptolemais, and wrote to Jonathan, that he should not besiege it, and that he should meet him and speak with him at Ptolemais with all speed. 23But when Jonathan heard this, he gave orders to continue the siege. He chose some of the elders of Israel and of the priests, and put himself in peril 24by taking silver, gold, clothing, and various other presents, and went to Ptolemais to the king. Then he found favor in his sight. 25Some lawless men of those who were of the nation made complaints against him, 26and the king did to him even as his predecessors had done to him, and exalted him in the sight of all his friends, 27and confirmed to him the high priesthood, and all the other honors that he had before, and gave him preeminence among his chief friends. 28And Jonathan requested of the king that he would make Judea free from tribute, along with the three provinces and the country of Samaria, and promised him three hundred talents. 29The king consented, and wrote letters to Jonathan concerning all these things as follows:

Jonathan faces a delicate and dangerous situation: he is besieging the citadel, and the king, displeased, summons him. To go could mean death; to refuse could mean war. Jonathan chooses a course of both courage and shrewdness: he continues the siege, but goes to meet the king, bringing gifts and taking trusted elders with him, putting himself in real peril but acting wisely. And it works: he finds favor, and gains confirmation of his honors. He met the danger with courage and wisdom together.

Notice how Jonathan handles the perilous situation: with both courage and wisdom. He did not cower in fear, refusing to go; nor did he rush in recklessly. He went, courageously facing the danger, but wisely, bringing gifts, taking trusted counsel, acting shrewdly to gain favor. Courage without wisdom would have been reckless; wisdom without courage would have been cowardice; Jonathan held both together, meeting the danger boldly but shrewdly.

That combination of courage and wisdom is worth cultivating for the difficult situations we face. We can err toward cowardice, avoiding a danger we should face; or toward recklessness, rushing in without wisdom. But the better way, which Jonathan shows, is to face difficult and dangerous situations with both courage and wisdom: not shrinking from what must be faced, but facing it shrewdly, with careful thought and prudent action. When you face a difficult and risky situation, do not respond with mere cowardice or mere recklessness; bring together courage and wisdom, as Jonathan did, facing the danger boldly but acting shrewdly and prudently. Courage to face what must be faced, and wisdom in how to face it, belong together; ask God for both, that you may meet difficult situations neither cowering nor rushing in, but boldly and wisely, as Jonathan met the king.

Lord, Jonathan faced a delicate and dangerous situation, and met it with both courage and shrewdness: continuing his siege but going to the king with gifts and trusted counsel, putting himself in peril yet acting wisely, and he found favor. Help me cultivate that combination of courage and wisdom for the difficult situations I face. I can err toward cowardice, avoiding a danger I should face; or toward recklessness, rushing in without wisdom. But the better way, which Jonathan shows, is to face difficult and dangerous situations with both courage and wisdom: not shrinking from what must be faced, but facing it shrewdly, with careful thought and prudent action. When I face a difficult and risky situation, keep me from responding with mere cowardice or mere recklessness; help me bring together courage and wisdom, as Jonathan did, facing the danger boldly but acting shrewdly and prudently. Courage to face what must be faced, and wisdom in how to face it, belong together; give me both, Lord, that I may meet difficult situations neither cowering nor rushing in, but boldly and wisely.