November 2, 2013 – Judith 6

The arrogance of Holofernes seems to flow from the orders of Nebuchadnezzar and is spurred on by the council in their reaction to Achior and his council and advice.  Achior is an interesting character.  He is labeled a mercenary, so we can assume he is experienced in battle, basically fights wars for a living.  So, there is no doubting his courage, plus he probably has a very militarily strategic mind.  That is why his advice was sought in the first place.  And I didn’t get the sense that he told them not to go to war, but just to see if the Jews were on God’s side or not.  But they take even the notion that they won’t win as cowardice and throw him to the Jews, which take him in and, hearing what happened, begin to pray with urgency to God.