Image by Melissa Clayton
There is great arrogance on the part of Holofernes in promising death for Alchior, who shall “fall among [the] wounded” of the Israelites. Alchior is seized by Holofernes’ servants who leave him lying in the middle of hill country as punishment for his “moment of perversity.”
Despite this, Alchior was found by and taken care of by the Israelites, a sign that he did the right thing in expressing God’s truth, a reward for his faithful servanthood to the Lord.
Did Alchior know that he was going to be praised highly for his faith in God’s mercy toward the Israelites, knowing the strength of God’s relationship with them? No. He had his priorities straight. Receiving praise was not the reward for Alchior. Speaking the truth was all he needed to do because he believed that obedience to God is its own reward.
During our time here on earth, what matters more than staying obedient to the laws created by the ever-changing modern world is staying obedient to the law of our immovable God. Doing so, we honor the Lord as His servants in our speech and actions.
This may cause us to be unpopular or alone among society, as Alchior was amongst the Moabites and the Assyrians. But as God’s people, we are never truly alone. Besides paying the price of being alone or unpopular because of one’s belief is the infinitely greater rewards of knowing that your treasures are being stored in Heaven and the confidence that the Lord may someday say to you, “Well done, my good and faithful servant” (Matt 25:21).
Peace be with you, my gorgeous faithful sister.
