Judith Makes a Plan

Judith was a widow connected with Bethulia. Her husband, Manasses, died during the barley harvest after he was overcome by the burning heat. Judith had been a widow for three years and four months. She lived on her lands, wore the clothing of widowhood, fasted on many days, and feared God deeply. No one spoke evil about her.

When the people grew weak because there was no water, they spoke bitterly against the governor. Judith heard that Ozias had promised to hand over the city to the Assyrians after five days unless the Lord helped. So she sent her maid to summon Ozias, Chabris, and Charmis, the elders of her city.

Judith told the leaders they had spoken wrongly. They must not talk as if they could set terms for God or stand in his place. She warned them not to provoke the Lord by fixing a deadline for his help. God could save them in his own time, and they should wait for his rescue and call to him for help.

She reminded them that their people were not worshipping idols as their fathers once had. So they should still hope in God. Judith said the danger reached beyond one town. If they were captured, Judea and the sanctuary would suffer too. She urged them to set an example, give thanks to God, and remember how he had tested Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Ozias answered that Judith had spoken well, but said the people were desperately thirsty and had pressed the rulers into making their oath. He asked Judith to pray for them. Then Judith said she would do something that would be remembered. The rulers were to stand at the gate that night while she went out with her maid, but she would not yet tell them what she planned.