1 Maccabees 5:1-8: a reflection

1It came to pass, when the Gentiles all around heard that the altar had been rebuilt and the sanctuary dedicated as before, they were exceedingly angry. 2They took counsel to destroy the race of Jacob that was in the midst of them, and they began to kill and destroy among the people. 3Judas fought against the children of Esau in Idumaea at Akrabattine, because they besieged Israel. He struck them with a great slaughter, humbled them, and took their spoils. 4He remembered the wickedness of the children of Baean, who were a snare and a stumbling block to the people, lying in wait for them on the highways. 5They were shut up by him in the towers. He encamped against them, and destroyed them utterly, and burned with fire the towers of the place with all who were in them. 6He passed over to the children of Ammon, and found a mighty band and many people, with Timotheus for their leader. 7He fought many battles with them, and they were defeated before his face. He struck them, 8and took possession of Jazer and its villages, and returned again into Judea.

No sooner have God's people rebuilt the altar and rededicated the sanctuary than trouble comes. When the surrounding nations hear that the temple has been restored, they are filled with rage and plot to destroy the people of Jacob in their midst. The very success of God's work, the restoration of worship, provoked fierce opposition. Judas is drawn into battle after battle simply to defend his people from those determined to undo what God had done.

There is a pattern here worth noticing. Opposition often intensifies precisely after a work of God, not before it. The rebuilding of the altar did not usher in immediate peace; it stirred up enemies. This is not a sign that something has gone wrong; it is often the mark of something going right. What God restores, the world frequently rises up to resist, and his people find themselves having to defend and hold what he has given.

If you have seen God do something good, restore a broken area of your life, revive a work, rebuild something that had fallen, do not be surprised if opposition follows rather than fades. The enemy is most provoked by what God is reviving. Take courage from this account: the answer to intensified opposition is not to abandon the work but to defend it, trusting that the God who did the restoring will also give strength to hold it. Expect resistance where God is at work, and stand firm.

Lord, no sooner had your people rebuilt your altar than opposition raged against them. When I see you do something good and find that resistance follows rather than fades, keep me from being discouraged. Remind me that the enemy is most provoked by what you are reviving. Give me courage to defend and hold what you have restored, trusting you for the strength to stand firm. Amen.