It took a year to read the Bible, then almost 9 months to read the Apocrypha. Now, I'm going to try to offer reflections on the Narrative Lectionary. But, I won't be posting daily--at least, for a while.

Saturday, July 25, 2015

Battle Support from the Lord, a reflection on 2 Maccabees 10:24-38

Timothy gathers a tremendous force to attempt to take over Judea. Maccabeus and his army prepare by praying. Two armies--one relying on their valor and the Lord; the other, driven by the rage of their leader.

When the battle became fierce, there appeared to the enemy a vision of five resplendent men on horses with golden bridles leading the Jews. Two of the horsemen shielded Maccabeus. They showered the enemy with arrows and thunderbolts throwing them into disorder.

Timothy fled to a fort, but Maccabeus and his army followed him there. They put the fort under siege but then had to listen to terrible blasphemies. On the fifth day, they couldn't any more put up with the wicked words hurled at them. They attacked, killing many. When they set fires,  broke open the gates, thus were able to occupy the city. They killed Timothy who was hiding in a cistern.

Timothy thought he had found a safe hiding place. He hadn't.

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