Given by: Judith, reminding the elders of Bethulia of Abraham's testing to reframe their own trial. Given to: the elders and people — and every believer who mistakes trial for rejection.

Abraham's testing — supremely the offering of Isaac — was remembered in Israel as the pattern of proven faith, and he was honoured as 'the friend of God'; Judith draws on this shared memory to steady a people who feared their trial meant abandonment.

They must remember how our father Abraham was tempted, and being proved by many tribulations, was made the friend of God.

Remember that God's friends, like Abraham, were proved by many trials — so let your own testing be borne in faith.

Judith 8:22

Your Spirit

Loves God

Loves Neighbor

Your Body

Moral Behaviour