That feeling is at the heart of the Book of Judith, a story of courage and faith that continues to resonate.
We pick up our narrative with Holofernes, the general of the Assyrian army. Fresh from his audience with the king, he’s ready to put their grand plan into action. And what is that plan? Nothing short of conquering the whole world, starting with Israel.
So, Holofernes leaves the king’s presence, and the first thing he does is brief his officers – all the commanders from the land of Aram (Syria). He lays out the king's command, and you can feel the weight of it. He has to get this right.
Then comes the really staggering part: the army. Imagine the sight! One hundred and twenty thousand infantry soldiers. That's a number almost impossible to grasp. And that’s not all. Add to that twelve thousand horsemen, all equipped with bows. Think about the thunder of hooves, the sheer mass of humanity moving as one.
The text tells us "he arrayed them as was the custom, and they passed before him." It paints a picture of meticulous preparation, a display of power meant to intimidate. Every detail matters. Every soldier in his place.
And then there's the baggage train. It’s almost an afterthought, but it speaks volumes about the scale of this campaign. Innumerable camels and donkeys laden with supplies. An exceeding amount of flocks of sheep and herds of cattle, enough to feed an army on the march. It's a logistical nightmare, but Holofernes is ready.
What does all this detail tell us? It’s not just about numbers. It’s about the overwhelming odds facing anyone who would dare to stand in Holofernes’ way. It’s about setting the stage for an impossible victory.
And that, of course, is where Judith comes in. A seemingly ordinary woman, armed with extraordinary faith and courage, ready to challenge the mightiest army in the world. But how? That's a story for another time.