Kenaz, a figure shrouded in biblical lore, found himself in just such a predicament. He was a warrior, a leader, and he was about to walk right into the heart of the enemy camp—alone. Can you imagine the courage, or perhaps the desperation, that would drive a person to do that?
But Kenaz wasn't reckless. He understood the gravity of his situation, and he turned to the one source of strength he knew: God. He prayed, a fervent, heartfelt plea for guidance and assurance. According to Ginzberg's retelling in Legends of the Jews, Kenaz asked for a sign. He needed to know if God was with him, if his actions were divinely sanctioned.
And the sign he requested? It's fascinating. He would draw his sword, the very instrument of war, and brandish it in the enemy camp. Not to strike, not yet, but to test the waters. "Let this be the sign of the salvation Thou wilt accomplish for me this day," he prayed, "I shall draw my sword from its sheath, and brandish it so that it glitters in the camp of the Amorites."
Here's the crux of it: If the enemy recognized the sword as belonging to Kenaz—if they knew who he was and what he represented—then he would know that God was with him, that victory was within reach. But if they didn't recognize it, if his presence went unnoticed, then he would understand that God had not granted his prayer, and that he was destined to face the consequences of his sins.
Think about the implications of that. He wasn't just asking for a win. He was asking for clarity, for a divine confirmation of his path. He was putting himself in a vulnerable position, offering himself as a test, a sacrifice, almost.
What does it say about faith? About courage? About the lengths to which people will go when they believe they are acting in accordance with a higher purpose? Kenaz's story, as recorded in Legends of the Jews, is more than just a tale of bravery. It’s a testament to the human need for connection, for meaning, and for the unwavering belief that even in the darkest of times, we are not truly alone. It makes you wonder, what sign would you ask for?