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Context No. 3522 of 4322 · 1 Maccabees

Context · Reflection

1 Maccabees 3:10-15: in context

10Apollonius gathered the Gentiles together with a great army from Samaria to fight against Israel. 11Judas learned of it, and he went out to meet him, struck him, and killed him. Many fell wounded to death, and the rest fled. 12They took their spoils, and Judas took Apollonius’ sword, and he fought with it all his days. 13Seron, the commander of the army of Syria, heard that Judas had gathered a large company, including a body of faithful men who stayed with him, went out to war. 14He said, “I will make myself a name and get myself glory in the kingdom. I will fight against Judas and those who are with him, who despise the king’s command. 15A mighty army of the ungodly went up with him to help him, to take vengeance on the children of Israel.

Two commanders come against Judas Maccabeus, and their motives are laid bare. Apollonius gathers an army to crush Israel and is defeated; Judas takes his sword and fights with it the rest of his days. Then Seron comes, and his motive is stated plainly: I will make a name for myself and win honor in the kingdom.

Seron fights not for any cause but for his own reputation and advancement. It is a revealing contrast with Judas, who fought for his people and for the law of God. Seron's ambition, to make a name for himself, is an old and hollow drive, the same impulse that once raised the tower of Babel. Those who strive merely to make a name for themselves are chasing an empty glory that does not last, and, in the story, Seron too is soon defeated. The name worth having is not the one we grasp for ourselves, but the one God gives to those who serve something larger than their own reputation.

Am I driven by the empty desire to make a name for myself, or do I serve a cause larger than my own reputation, content with the name and place God gives?

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