That’s kind of the vibe as we jump back into the Book of Judith.
Remember Nebuchadnezzar? Still king, still convinced of his own divine status, and still not thrilled that some nations aren't exactly lining up to worship him. So, what does a megalomaniacal king do? He calls a meeting.
“And the King called for all of his officers and his servants, and he told them his plan, and recounted to them the wickedness of all of these nations.”
Imagine the scene: the throne room, advisors nodding obsequiously, Nebuchadnezzar ranting about the disrespect, the audacity, of those who dare not acknowledge his greatness. We can almost feel the tension. The air is thick with the weight of impending war. And, according to the text, everyone present is in agreement. It's time to wipe these nations off the map.
Then comes the pivotal moment. The king singles out his right-hand man, his general, his viceroy: Holofernes. This is where things get real.
“And it came to pass when they were all saying to wipe out and destroy all of the nations that did not hearken to the voice of the King, that the King called his General and Viceroy Holofernes, and he said to him: So said Nebuchadnezzar the Great, King over all the land."
It's that "So said Nebuchadnezzar the Great" that really gets me. It's not just an order; it's a declaration. It’s a reminder of who’s in charge, a pronouncement dripping with arrogance. It’s almost comical, if it weren't so terrifying.
And what's the order? It's a big one.
“Make haste and select for yourself one hundred and twenty thousand Elite Infantry and twelve thousand Cavalry.”
One hundred and twenty thousand elite infantry! Twelve thousand cavalry! That’s not just a show of force; that’s a biblical-level swarm of soldiers. The scale of this military might is staggering, meant to inspire fear and crush any resistance. Holofernes is given the task of assembling this massive army, and we can only imagine the devastation they are about to unleash.
What does this tell us? Maybe it’s a reflection on power, on the seductive nature of control. How easily can leaders decide the fate of nations? And how easily do others follow blindly?