Introduction:
After achieving victory over King Arphaxad in the mountains of Ragae, King Nebuchadnezzar led his army back home, Nineveh, where they celebrated their success for 120 days. Following this long period of relaxing and rejoicing, King Nebuchadnezzar declared war against the nations of the West.
Chapter’s Themes:
(1) Revenge and destruction of the West and all nations that refused to join him in battle against King Arphaxadr. (Jdt 1:5, 15-16)
(2) Self-proclaimed god: “To devastate those nations, cut down their sacred groves, and destroy all the gods of the earth, so that every nation might worship Nebuchadnezzar alone, and every people and tribe invoke him as a god.” (Jdt 3:8)
(3) Self-proclaimed mighty power: “For as I live, and by the strength of my kingdom, what I have spoken I will accomplish by my power.” (Jdt 2:12)
To ensure his orders were carried out without delay, King Nebuchadnezzar dispatched Holofernes, his general in chief and second in command, to execute his commands.
Lessons learned:
(1) The reigns of self-proclaimed mighty, powerful human-god’s endure only as long as God, the Creator of Heaven and Earth, allows them to continue.
(2) A true servant of God remains faithful to the Creator and obeys the 3rd Commandment: “You shall not have other gods besides me.”
Furthermore, such servants reject other idols like money, selfishness, ambition, power-hunger, etc.
(3) It is important not to let your ego grow out of proportion and become the center of one’s universe. While a healthy ego can be beneficial, it must remain under control to avoid falling into self-centeredness and oblivion.
As a believer, it is essential to remain vigilant and alert to prevent falling into the snares of the devil. This can be achieved by strengthening myself with the Word of the Lord, following the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and avoiding situations that may lead to temptations and sin.
Introspection:
- What are some idols in your life?
- Do you have your ego under control?
- Do your adviser and circle of trust reflect your values and your management style?