That’s kind of what we see happening in the First Book of Maccabees, chapter 15.
We’re in the thick of the Maccabean Revolt, a period of intense struggle for Jewish religious and political freedom. Demetrius is king, and he's got his hands full, mainly with a pesky rival named Tryphon.
"In the mean time fled Tryphon by ship unto Orthosias."
Talk about an escape! Just when you think you've got your enemy cornered, they pull a disappearing act. So, what does Demetrius do? He appoints Cendebeus as captain of the sea coast, gives him a serious army – footmen and horsemen galore – and tells him to stir up trouble in Judea.
It's like playing whack-a-mole with rebellions. You squash one, and another pops up.
Specifically, Demetrius orders Cendebeus to rebuild Cedron (not the river, but a strategic location), fortify its gates, and basically wage war against the Jewish people. Meanwhile, the king himself is still hot on Tryphon's trail. You’d think he’d focus on the bigger threat. But maybe he figured he could handle both at once.
"So Cendebeus came to Jamnia and began to provoke the people and to invade Judea, and to take the people prisoners, and slay them."
Jamnia, known today as Yavne, became Cendebeus's staging ground. It wasn’t just about military strategy; it was about intimidation. Provoking the people, taking prisoners, and, tragically, killing them. This wasn't just a political struggle; it was a brutal assault on the Jewish people.
And Cendebeus doesn’t stop there. He rebuilds Cedron, stations horsemen and footmen there, all to launch raids on the roads of Judea, exactly as the king instructed. It’s a calculated campaign of terror, designed to keep the Jewish people under constant pressure and control.
Think about the psychological impact of this. Not being able to travel safely, knowing that at any moment, soldiers could descend upon you. How would that affect your daily life? Your sense of security? Your faith?
This passage from Maccabees paints a vivid picture of a time of great turmoil and hardship. It reminds us that the fight for freedom and self-determination is often a long and arduous one, filled with setbacks and challenges. And it underscores the incredible resilience and courage of the Maccabees, who refused to give up in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. What would you do in their place?