2 Maccabees 11:34-38: a reflection

34The Romans also sent to them a letter in these words: “Quintus Memmius and Titus Manius, ambassadors of the Romans, to the people of the Jews, greetings. 35In regard to the things which Lysias the king’s kinsman granted you, we also give consent. 36But as for the things which he judged should be referred to the king, send someone promptly, after you have considered them, that we may publish such decrees as are appropriate for your case; for we are on our way to Antioch. 37Therefore send someone with speed, that we also may learn what is your mind. 38Farewell. Written in the one hundred forty-eighth year, on the fifteenth day of Xanthicus.

In the midst of the Jews' long struggle, a letter arrives from an unexpected quarter: the Romans, ambassadors of a foreign power, write with goodwill, giving their consent to what had been granted and offering to help advance the Jews' cause. Help came from a source the Jews had not looked to, a foreign nation lending its support at a needed moment. In the providence of God, favor and help can come from unexpected quarters, even from those outside, at the moment they are needed.

Notice that help came from an unexpected quarter. The Jews were embattled, and might have looked only to their own strength or to obvious allies; but help came from the Romans, a foreign power, at a needed moment. God's provision of help is not limited to the sources we expect; he can raise up favor and support from unexpected quarters, even from those outside, to aid his people. The help that came was not one they had engineered or expected; it came, in God's providence, from a source they had not looked to, at the time it was needed.

That is worth taking to heart, for God can provide help for us from unexpected quarters, not only the sources we expect. When we are in need or embattled, we can look only to the obvious sources of help, our own strength, our known allies, and despair when these seem insufficient; but God can raise up help from unexpected quarters, from sources we had not looked to, as help came to the Jews from the Romans. His provision does not run only through familiar channels. When you are in need, do not despair because the obvious sources of help seem insufficient; God can provide help from unexpected quarters, as he did for his people from a foreign power. Trust that God can provide help for you from unexpected quarters, not only the sources you expect, as help came to the Jews from the Romans at a needed moment; for God's provision is not limited to the help we can foresee, and he can raise up favor and aid for his people from sources they never looked to.

Lord, in the midst of the Jews' long struggle, a letter arrives from an unexpected quarter: the Romans, ambassadors of a foreign power, write with goodwill, giving their consent to what had been granted and offering to help advance the Jews' cause. Help came from a source the Jews had not looked to, a foreign nation lending its support at a needed moment. In your providence, favor and help can come from unexpected quarters, even from those outside, at the moment they are needed. Show me that help came from an unexpected quarter. The Jews were embattled, and might have looked only to their own strength or to obvious allies; but help came from the Romans, a foreign power, at a needed moment. Your provision of help is not limited to the sources we expect; you can raise up favor and support from unexpected quarters, even from those outside. The help that came was not one they had engineered or expected; it came, in your providence, from a source they had not looked to. Take that to my heart, for you can provide help for me from unexpected quarters, not only the sources I expect. When I am in need or embattled, I can look only to the obvious sources of help, my own strength, my known allies, and despair when these seem insufficient; but you can raise up help from unexpected quarters. When I am in need, keep me from despairing because the obvious sources of help seem insufficient; you can provide help from unexpected quarters, Lord. Help me trust that you can provide help for me from sources I never looked to, as help came to the Jews from the Romans at a needed moment.