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2 Maccabees 14:30 "But Maccabeus, noticing that Nicanor was more austere in his dealings with him and was meeting him more rudely than had been his custom, concluded that this austerity did not spring from the best motives. So he gathered not a few of his men, and went into hiding from Nicanor."

 

At this point in the twisty story of Maccabees, Nicanor has been appointed governor of Judea by King Demetrius and ordered to kill Judas Maccabeus and scatter his men (2 Maccabees 14:12-13). As the Jews put up resistance, Nicanor decided it was better to attempt a treaty with the rebels rather than "deciding the issue by bloodshed" (2 Maccabees 14:18). Once the treaty was in effect, Nicanor developed a true admiration for Judas Maccabeus, and became "warmly attached to the man" (2 Maccabees 14:24). However, the corrupt high priest Alcimus, on noticing this friendship, went to the king with false stories of treachery, and Demetrius ordered Nicanor to send Judas to him as a prisoner (2 Maccabees 14:26-27). Nicanor was "troubled and grieved" by this order, but was not able to oppose it, so "he watched for an opportunity to accomplish [it] by stratagem." (2 Maccabees 14:29). In this verse, we see that Judas noticed the change in Nicanor's demeanor and gathered his men to go into hiding. 

 

It is so important to notice things, even subtle changes in people's body language or attitudes can be signals that shifts are going on beneath the surface. We can often grow so comfortable in relationships that we forget to do this. It is not necessarily a question of lack of trust, but an acknowledgment that there is a lot going on that we do not know about. This is especially true in times of war, as the time of the Maccabees was. Even though there was a truce in place, and Nicanor had developed a friendship with Judas, they were still representatives of opposing forces. Judas was wise to notice the change in Nicanor and escape when he did.

 

We are, or course, all engaged in the war between good and evil that has been going on since the beginning of time, we can't forget that. Sometimes it is cold and sometimes hot, but it is always playing out in the unseen background. We are to choose sides in this war and to be especially vigilant around those who have chosen the opposite side (many have not chosen at all, not realizing the war is going on, and they are to be handled warily as well). This is not to say they cannot be converted to our side, they absolutely can, and God wants them to be, so they are not to be treated as enemies when they approach us in sincere interest or friendship. But until their conversion is complete, we should remember the tactics of the enemy, he will always try to use others to bring us to him as prisoners.

 

So be alert to changes in people, even subtle ones. Sometimes they are clues that it is time to lay low in that relationship for a while for our own safety. We probably don't need to go so far as to change our latitude, but a sudden change in attitude is a clue that some distance may be advisable.