1 Maccabees 4:1-5: a reflection

1Gorgias took five thousand infantry, a thousand chosen cavalry, and the army moved out at night, 2that it might fall upon the army of the Jews and strike them suddenly. The men of the citadel were his guides. 3Judas heard of this, and he and the valiant men moved, that he might strike the king’s army which was at Emmaus 4while the forces were still dispersed from the camp. 5Gorgias came into the camp of Judas at night and found no man. He sought them in the mountains; for he said, “These men are running away from us.”

The enemy commander Gorgias plans a night raid to catch Judas and his men by surprise, taking a picked force and setting out under cover of darkness, guided by informers, to fall on the Jewish camp suddenly. But Judas hears of the plan, and instead of being caught, he moves first, marching to strike the main enemy force while it was still divided. When Gorgias reaches Judas's camp at night, he finds it empty, and searches the mountains in vain, assuming the men have fled. The ambush is turned; the one who planned the surprise is outmaneuvered.

Notice how the plot against Judas was foiled: by his alertness and quick action. Because Judas was watchful, he learned of the scheme in time, and because he was decisive, he turned the tables, striking while the enemy was divided and slipping away before the ambush could land. Gorgias, expecting to catch a sleeping camp, found it empty. The careful plot came to nothing against a watchful and wise opponent.

There is wisdom here about facing the schemes that come against us. The forces that oppose us, spiritual and otherwise, often work by stealth and surprise, trying to catch us off guard. Judas's example commends watchfulness and wisdom: staying alert to the schemes, not being caught sleeping, responding with discernment rather than being taken by surprise. Be watchful against the plots aimed at you. Alertness and wisdom can turn an ambush into an empty camp. Do not be caught off guard by the enemy's schemes; stay awake, and trust God to give you the discernment to meet them.

Lord, Gorgias plotted a surprise night attack, but Judas, alert and decisive, learned of it in time and turned the tables, leaving the ambush to find an empty camp. Give me that watchfulness against the schemes that come against me. The forces that oppose me often work by stealth and surprise; help me stay alert, not caught sleeping, responding with discernment rather than being taken off guard. Give me wisdom to meet the plots aimed at me, and keep me awake and dependent on you. Turn the ambushes against me into empty camps.