Judas Maccabeus Begins to Lead

After his father, Judas Maccabeus rose up as leader. His relatives helped him, and so did those who had joined his father before him. Together they fought for Israel with glad hearts. Judas was described as a strong defender of his people, armed for battle and protecting the army with his sword.

This passage describes Judas as fierce against those who acted wickedly and troubled his people. Lawless people drew back in fear, and deliverance prospered in his hand. He went through the cities of Judah, removed the ungodly from the land, turned away wrath from Israel, and gathered those who were ready to perish.

Then Apollonius gathered Gentiles from Samaria with a great army to fight against Israel. Judas learned of it and went out to meet him. He struck Apollonius down and killed him. Many of the enemy fell, and the rest fled. Afterwards they took the spoils, and Judas took Apollonius's sword and fought with it for the rest of his days.

Later Seron, commander of the Syrian army, heard that Judas had gathered a large company, including faithful men who stayed with him. Seron wanted glory for himself and came out to fight. When he reached the ascent of Bethhoron, Judas went to meet him with only a small company. Judas's men felt weak because they had not eaten that day, and they feared such a great army.

Judas answered that heaven can save by many or by few, and that victory does not come from the size of an army. He said their enemies came in insolence and lawlessness to destroy and plunder, but his people were fighting for their lives and their laws, so they should not be afraid. Then Judas attacked suddenly.

Seron's army was defeated, about eight hundred fell, and the rest fled into the land of the Philistines. After that, fear of Judas and his family spread among the surrounding nations, and news of his battles reached the king. What helped Judas's small band stand firm when they felt weak?