§ 9. THEOLOGY OF THE BOOK

The theology of the book is strongly Pharisaic. The story is clearly intended for edification, to encourage the people in some time of trial, and to point out the true way to deliverance by showing that Israel’s troubles are due to sin (5:17, 18, 11:10), that salvation comes through trust in God and obedience to Him, and that God uses the weak things to confound the strong (9:10 and frequently). But obedience to God, which is righteousness, consists in the strict observance of the Law. Judith is strong because of her consciousness of keeping the Law (16:16). She observes not only the pentateuchal feasts of the Sabbath and New Moon, but also the eves of them (8:6), as required by the later teaching. She not only abstained from forbidden food, but she fasted continually, and underwent further mortification (8:5, 6) although she was rich. She is thus a perfect type of Pharisaic righteousness. She even dilates on these doctrines to Holofernes (cap. 11), laying stress on the sureness of punishment which would follow on such sins as the eating of forbidden things and the using of tithes and first-fruits by the citizens of Bethulia in their extremity. For even in the most desperate case God will find a means of deliverance for His faithful people and will punish the oppressor. This punishment is inflicted not only in the present life. There will be a day of judgement (apparently after death) when the wicked will be condemned to torment by fire and worms for ever (16:17).

The objection which has been made to Judith’s deceit (11:5) and approval of violence scarcely deserves notice. It could only be made in complete ignorance of the spirit of the time, and shows an utter inability to appreciate the position of a people struggling against overwhelming odds for their religion and their very existence.