Book of Judith Lesson - Week 1

Book of Judith Week 1 Lesson:

In order to gain a deeper understanding of the scripture, we think it is important to know the list of characters. This week we read Chapters 1 -5 and were introduced to three important people...

We first meet Nebuchadnezzer, King of the Assyrians, in Chapter 1. He is at war - looking to expand the territories of his kingdom with force. If your not with him, then you are against him, and those who are against him will feel his wrath. (His name means 'may the god of Nebu protect you and your possessions)

In Chapter 2, we are introduced to Holofernes, who is the King's right hand man and top General, Chief of all the Assyrian forces. He is on a campaign, with the King's entire army, to overwhelm the whole western region to enforce Nebuchadnezzer's will. He is willing to use brute force, butchering anyone who is not aligned with the King.
(His name means 'stinking in hell')

By Chapter 3 we see the extent of Holofernes resolve to raise up King Nebuchadnezzer.
"But he demolished their shrines and cut down their sacred trees, carrying out his commission to destroy all local gods so that the nations should worship Nebuchadnezzar alone and people of every language and nationality should hail him as a god." Judith 3:8

The news of Holofernes tactics have reached the Israelites in Judea, in Chapter 4. They fear his arrival and fear for their God's Temple. Naturally the Israelites start to look at their options for survival. Joakim, the high priest of Jerusalem, writes to the surrounding people in Bethulia & Betomesthaim.
"He ordered them to occupy the mountain passes, the only means of access to Judaea, for there it would be easy for them to halt an attacking force, the narrowness of the approach not allowing men to advance more than two abreast." Judith 4:7
Then Joakim leads the Israelites in prayer and fasting...
"All the men of Israel cried most fervently to God and humbled themselves before him." Judith 4:9
and God heard them!
"The Lord heard them and looked kindly on their distress."
Judith 4:13

Holofernes is furious in Chapter 5, upon learning of the Israelites control of the mountain passes and peaks. He is actually shocked, but more so now very curious as to whom these people are. So he asks one of his Ammon Generals, Achior, to tell him about the Israelites.
Achior reports that the Israelite people abandoned the gods of their ancestors to worship "the God of Heaven" and provides a brief telling of the story of Moses' exodus from Egypt. What is so fascinating about this telling is that Achior doesn't just give the history of this tale, but rather he illustrates the awesome power of God, explaining that:
"All the while they did not sin before their God, prosperity was theirs, for they have a God who hates wickedness."
Judith 4:17
and warning Holofernes, not to advance:

"So, now, master and lord, if this people has committed any fault, if they have sinned against their God, let us first be sure that they really have this reason to fail, then advance and attack them.But if their nation is guiltless, my lord would do better to abstain, for fear that their Lord and God should protect them. We should then become the laughing-stock of the whole world." Judith 4: 20-21

Achior believes! and Holofernes and the rest of his Generals don't listen!

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