2 Maccabees 8:1-7: a reflection

1But Judas, who is also called Maccabaeus, and those who were with him, making their way secretly into the villages, called together their kindred. Enlisting those who had continued in the Jews’ religion, they gathered together about six thousand. 2They called upon the Lord to look at the people who were oppressed by all, and to have compassion on the sanctuary that had been profaned by the ungodly men, 3and to have pity on the city that was suffering ruin and ready to be leveled to the ground, and to listen to the blood that cried out to him, 4and to remember the lawless destruction of the innocent infants, and concerning the blasphemies that had been committed against his name, and to show his hatred of wickedness. 5When Maccabaeus had trained his men for service, the heathen at once found him irresistible, for the wrath of the Lord was turned into mercy. 6Coming without warning, he set fire to cities and villages. And in winning back the most important positions, putting to flight no small number of the enemies, 7he especially took advantage of the nights for such assaults. His courage was loudly talked of everywhere.

As Judas gathers a small band to resist the oppression of their people, they do not first trust in their own strength, but appeal to God's compassion. They called upon the Lord to look at the people who were oppressed by all, and to have compassion on the sanctuary that had been profaned, and to have pity on the city that was suffering. Their appeal was to God's compassion, asking him to look on the oppressed, the suffering, the profaned, and to have pity. And the account says the wrath of the Lord was turned into mercy. They appealed to God's compassion for the oppressed and suffering, and God heard, turning his wrath to mercy.

Notice the appeal Judas and his men made: to God's compassion for the oppressed and suffering. They did not first rely on their own strength or plan; they called on God to look on the oppressed people, to have compassion on the suffering, to pity the afflicted. Their appeal reached to God's compassionate heart, asking him to see and pity those who were suffering under oppression. And God's response was mercy; his wrath was turned to mercy at their appeal. The appeal to God's compassion for the suffering was heard; God is moved by the affliction of the oppressed, and their cry for his compassion was answered with mercy. They appealed to his pity, and found it.

That is worth taking to heart, for we can appeal to God's compassion for the oppressed and suffering, and he hears. When we or others suffer under oppression and affliction, we can appeal to God's compassion, asking him to look on the suffering, to have pity on the afflicted, as Judas and his men appealed to God to look on the oppressed. God is moved by the affliction of the suffering; his compassion can be appealed to, and he hears. When you or others suffer, appeal to God's compassion, asking him to look on the affliction and have pity, as Judas and his men did. Appeal to God's compassion for the oppressed and suffering, asking him to look on the affliction and have pity, as Judas and his men called on the Lord to look on the oppressed and God's wrath was turned to mercy; for God is moved by the affliction of the suffering, and we can appeal to his compassionate heart, asking him to see and pity those who suffer, and find him merciful.

Lord, as Judas gathers a small band to resist the oppression of their people, they do not first trust in their own strength, but appeal to your compassion. They called upon the Lord to look at the people who were oppressed by all, and to have compassion on the sanctuary that had been profaned, and to have pity on the city that was suffering. Their appeal was to your compassion, asking you to look on the oppressed, the suffering, and to have pity. And the account says the wrath of the Lord was turned into mercy. Show me the appeal Judas and his men made: to your compassion for the oppressed and suffering. They did not first rely on their own strength or plan; they called on you to look on the oppressed people, to have compassion on the suffering, to pity the afflicted. Their appeal reached to your compassionate heart. And your response was mercy; your wrath was turned to mercy at their appeal. You are moved by the affliction of the oppressed, and their cry for your compassion was answered with mercy. Take that to my heart, for I can appeal to your compassion for the oppressed and suffering, and you hear. When I or others suffer under oppression and affliction, I can appeal to your compassion, asking you to look on the suffering, to have pity on the afflicted, as Judas and his men appealed to you to look on the oppressed. You are moved by the affliction of the suffering. When I or others suffer, help me appeal to your compassion, Lord, asking you to look on the affliction and have pity, as Judas and his men did and your wrath was turned to mercy.