Books Jesus Read

30

Books Jesus Read

alone know their plan of attack. How shall we stand against them if you do not stand with us?” ( Ps 74 ). Judas appointed leaders over the people, leaders over thousands, over hundreds, over fifties, and over tens. Those who were building houses or planting vineyards or who were newly married, and those who were fainthearted, he excused from battle according to the law ( Deut 20:1–9 ). “Come and let us fight for our people and sanctuary,” declared Judas, “arm yourselves and be courageous. Be ready first thing in the morning to fight these nations who aim to destroy us along with our sanctuary. Is it not better for us to die in battle than to witness the oppression of our nation and its sanctuary? May the will of him in heaven be done!” 1 Maccabees 4 In addition to the vast army surrounding Judah, there were soldiers hiding out in the Akra in Jerusalem. Gorgias, commander of the Gentiles, received messages from them, informing him of Judas’ movements. Then he selected five thousand foot soldiers and a thousand of his best horsemen to make a nighttime raid on the Jews. Judas learned of the plan and led his army out of Jerusalem to strike the enemy at Emmaus, while their commander Gorgias was away. Meanwhile, Gorgias arrived in Jerusalem and found it empty. Thinking that Judas must have fled to the hills, Gorgias looked for him all that night but did not find him. At daybreak, Judas with three thousand of his men came upon the camp of Gorgias and his army. Now they were now face-to-face with a better equipped and better trained enemy.