Holy Women's History Month: Judith of Bethulia

“No one had a bad word to say about her, for she feared God greatly” (Judith 8:8). 

The Bible is a library brimming with books to browse throughout life. It offers wisdom, poetry, parables, letters, prophetic messages, Gospels, and more. Depending on my circumstances, I gravitate toward specific sections.   

I’m no stranger to the Psalms in distressing times or Proverbs when I need moral advice. Lady Wisdom personified taught me to pursue understanding, while Judith of Bethulia inspired me to explore fearing the Lord.  

The Book of Judith tells the story of a virtuous widow who shows immense bravery in dangerous situations. The protagonist must save her people from destruction by foreign invaders — no easy feat. When the leaders of her village insist on surrendering if God doesn’t help, Judith refuses.  

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“Do not impose conditions on the plans of the Lord our God. God is not like a human being to be moved by threats, nor like a mortal to be cajoled,” she says (Judith 8:16).   

Her concern isn’t with the imminent invasion but the explanation God will demand for her people’s sacrilege should they surrender. She reminds them of divine accountability and advises that they behave accordingly.   

Her devotion is admirable. She urges those around her to “Give thanks to the Lord our God for putting us to the test as he did our ancestors” (Judith 8:25). That line is so edifying. I try to focus on it amidst trials rather than wallowing in concern. I should thank God for adoring me enough to test me. It’s easier said than done sometimes, but I try.  

What I love most about Judith is her confidence. She tells everyone, “Within the days you have specified before you will surrender the city to our enemies, the Lord will deliver Israel by my hand” (Judith 8:33). She believes it completely, and God delivers. It’s great!   

Studying the Book of Judith has profoundly affected me.

I’ve spent years curled up with it, and one of my favorite messages is that God can use anyone, anytime. It doesn’t matter your place in the world, your perceived limitations, or how much grief you’ve endured; God can make wondrous things happen through you. Isn’t that beautiful?   I find the text inspiring, valuable, entertaining, thoughtful, and genuine.   
As readers, we should aim to discern God’s message through Judith’s story. Other questions to consider when perusing her book include: How does Judith’s tale relate to me? What can I take away from the narrative to improve my future?   

Judith’s Unwavering Faith Resonates

With her community overwhelmed by the Assyrian invasion, Judith takes matters into her own hands. She prostrates, pleads for grace, and prepares for battle with fine clothes and jewelry.  

Curiously, Judith chooses deceit as a means of defeat. She informs the Assyrians of false battle plans. They invite her to meet their leader, Holofernes. Her beauty so enchants him that he becomes putty in her hands. She’s allowed to roam his campsite and invited to dine with him.   

After a night of merriment, Judith snatches Holofernes’s sword and prays for strength. While the general sleep off a drunken stupor, she strikes his neck twice, successfully beheading him. Judith puts his head in her maid’s bag and the two leave camp for their evening prayers.   

When they return to Bethulia, Judith praises God for delivering her. All her glory is His.  

Her successful deception of General Holofernes reminds us that God can write straight with crooked lines and lies. He uses her deceit to smite her people’s enemy, and Judith’s faith in God allows her to accomplish this extraordinary act unscathed.  

Judith is My Role Model

As an active protagonist, she acts decisively without reluctance. Those who challenge God find her patience lacking, and His enemies receive no mercy from her. Throughout the narrative, she prays with fervor, trusts in divine providence, and allows God to guide her. In return, God gives her the courage to act in ways that would otherwise seem unimaginable.   

Her message reminds me to embrace God and trust His guidance to navigate difficult circumstances. She inspires me to harness my unique strengths, confront challenges directly, and remain deeply rooted in faith.  

Judith isn’t just some ancient figure from a religious text. She’s a timeless symbol of female empowerment, resilience, and God’s grace. Yes, her book is not chronological, and some names dropped in it, like Nebuchadnezzar, don’t match the facts surrounding the man. Regardless of its historical fiction label, it’s still a wonderful, fruitful book. I recommend it to anyone who needs a friend like Judith to remind them of divine accountability — someone I aspire to become one day, future saints.  

During Women's History Month, Catholic Mom writers are celebrating the women who have inspired their faith journeys — whether canonized saints, saints in progress, or beloved women from Scripture. Through personal reflections and heartfelt stories, they share how these holy women have touched their lives, offering wisdom, strength, and a deeper connection to God. Join us as we honor the spiritual legacy of these remarkable women and the lasting impact they continue to have on our hearts and souls. 

Copyright 2025 Amanda Lawrence
Images: Holy Cross Family Ministries