Today in the Bible

Now when Seron, the commander of the Syrian army, heard that Judas had gathered a large company, including a body of faithful men who stayed with him and went out to battle, he said, “I will make a name for myself and win honor in the kingdom. I will make war on Judas and his companions, who scorn the king’s command.”

And again a strong army of ungodly men went up with him to help him, to take vengeance on the sons of Israel.  When he approached the ascent of Bethhoron, Judas went out to meet him with a small company.

But when they saw the army coming to meet them, they said to Judas, “How can we, few as we are, fight against so great and strong a multitude?  And we are faint, for we have eaten nothing today.”

Judas replied, “It is easy for many to be hemmed in by few, for in the sight of Heaven there is no difference between saving by many or by few.  It is not on the size of the army that victory in battle depends, but strength comes from Heaven.  They come against us in great pride and lawlessness to destroy us and our wives and our children, and to despoil us; but we fight for our lives and our laws.  He himself will crush them before us; as for you, do not be afraid of them.”

When he finished speaking, he rushed suddenly against Seron and his army, and they were crushed before him.  They pursued them down the descent of Bethhoron to the plain; eight hundred of them fell, and the rest fled into the land of the Philistines. – 1 Maccabees 3:13-24 (RSV)