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.

Wednesday, July 1, 2015

Planned attack on the Sabbath, a reflection on 2 Maccabees 15:1-19

When Nicanor learned that Judas's troops were in Samaria, he decided that the best time to attack them was on the Sabbath. The Jews who were with him pleaded for him to show respect for the day who had designated the Sabbath. He responded by saying that he himself was sovereign on earth so he was the one who would tell them what to do and when.

Judas Maccabeus, continuing to trust in the Lord, exhorted his troops not to fear the attack by the Gentiles but to trust in the Lord who had rescued them many times. He related a dream he had had: the high priest Onias had introduced Jeremiah who gave Judas a golden sword, saying that it was a gift from God to use to strike down adversaries.

Encouraged by Judas, they attack the enemy that was threatening the city and the sanctuary and especially the temple.

Do we ever make decisions based on dreams--ours or other people's? Can we imaging thinking that protecting the temple was more essential than protecting the people in the city?

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