Books Jesus Read

Afterword

195

of opposition, but led the charge to throw off the chains of oppression. See Continuing the Conversation below for ways to draw on the books of Maccabees that shed light on the New Testament. Do a Double Take on Judith On a first read, the story of Judith may seem like little more than ancient entertainment—salacious entertainment at that! But just as her name represents her homeland, 4 so her story is representative of Israel’s story. Judith is faithful in every way possible for a Judean woman to be. Yet, through no fault of her own, she becomes subject to King Nebuchadnezzar’s lustful ambitions. The ancient readers of her story knew well that women were subject to sexual exploitation in times of conquest. Despite her vulnerability, Judith refuses to hide. Indeed, she intentionally walks into the camp of the enemy and hands herself over! From that point on, the story focuses on Judith’s daily spiritual disciplines of prayer and kosher eating and bathing as the foundation of her plan to conquer her enemy. She even manages to keep kosher while reveling at the pagan banquet thrown in her honor! Israel’s history is, of course, marked by sojourns in the camp of the enemy. “She” is oppressed in turn by Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, and others who lustfully keep her captive. Which of the nations did not want “to sleep with Israel” in her prime? But Israel belongs to a jealous God who seeks to keep her a virgin and who will ultimately avenge her honor. Judith is hot and she knows it! She seduces the enemy with truthful little lies: “Follow my directions,” she says to Holofernes, “and God will

4 Judith means “woman of Judea.”