Bethulia Tested By God

Synopsis     Judith 8:21-35     10/21/2020 

Judith lived in the besieged city of Bethulia. Hearing that the leaders had put God to the test by demanding his action within five days, she reproached them.  

She reminded Uzziah and the other leaders that if Bethulia fell, Jerusalem would likely soon follow. Accordingly, she made clear that the residents of Bethulia would specifically retain the shame of this failure.  

Furthermore, she encouraged the leaders to rejoice in their present moment of testing. It was, from her perspective, a moment of great opportunity. 

Lastly, she asked them for permission to allow her to pass through the gate that night. And she promised that God would deliver Israel by her hand within the five days.  

Bethulia Tested By God 

Judith reminded them that mere human beings are in no position to put God to the test. Instead, human beings should be willing to accept the challenges of life as testings that come from God. As an example, she recounted Abraham’s story where he offered Isaac as a sacrifice to God. This, she reminded him, was a turning point in Abraham’s self-understanding and the affirmation of his faithfulness. 

Tested By God 

Would I be faithful?  

Sometimes I reflect upon the lives of the saints. And, I wonder if I would be faithful in difficult trials, as so many of them were.

Of course, it’s then I remember that my next testing will probably come in 15 or 20 minutes.  

“Do not be afraid of anything that you are going to suffer. Indeed, the devil will throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will face an ordeal for ten days. Remain faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” Rev 2:10