The Saints Who Fled Were No Cowards

Truly, no one can possibly doubt that they were well furnished with the virtue of courage. For the patriarch Jacob, who had earlier fled from Esau, did not fear death when it came, but at that very time blessed the patriarchs, each according to what he deserved. And the great Moses, who had earlier hidden himself from Pharaoh and withdrawn into Midian for fear of him, did not fear to go when he received the command, “Return to Egypt.” And again, when he was told to go up the mountain of Abarim and die, he did not hold back through cowardice, but even went there joyfully. And David, who had earlier fled from Saul, did not fear to risk his life in war in defense of his people. When the choice of death or flight was set before him, and he might have fled and lived, he wisely preferred death. And the great Elijah, who at an earlier time had hidden himself from Jezebel, showed no cowardice when the Spirit commanded him to meet Ahab and to rebuke Ahaziah. [a]

And Peter, who had hidden himself for fear of the Jews, and the apostle Paul, who was let down in a basket and fled, did not put off the journey when they were told, “You must bear witness at Rome.” Rather, they set out rejoicing. The one, as if hurrying to meet his friends, received his death with gladness. The other did not shrink from the time when it came, but gloried in it, saying, “For I am now ready to be offered up, and the time of my departure is at hand.”