Context No. 3627 of 4322 · 1 Maccabees

1 Maccabees 15:15-21: in context

15Numenius and his company came from Rome, having letters to the kings and to the countries, in which were written these things: 16“Lucius, consul of the Romans, to King Ptolemy, greetings. 17The Jews’ ambassadors came to us as our friends and allies, to renew the old friendship and alliance, being sent from Simon the high priest, and from the people of the Jews. 18Moreover they brought a shield of gold weighing one thousand minas. 19It pleased us therefore to write to the kings and to the countries, that they should not seek their harm or fight against them, their cities, and their country, or be allies with those who fight against them. 20Moreover, it seemed good to us to receive the shield from them. 21If therefore any troublemakers have fled from their country to you, deliver them to Simon the high priest, that he may take vengeance on them according to their law.”

This passage records Rome's formal recognition of friendship and alliance with the Jews under Simon, with letters sent to many kings and nations urging them not to harm the Jewish people or make war on them. After long years of struggle and persecution, the small nation gains a measure of protection and standing among the nations.

There is a picture here of a faithful remnant that had held to God through terrible pressure now finding respite and recognition. Yet the deeper lesson, in the light of the whole story, is that such political alliances are fragile and temporary, as the very next chapters show when a king turns against them again. The security that truly matters, the covenant that never fails, is with God, not with the shifting friendships of the powers of the world. Human alliances may bring a welcome respite, but our true and lasting security rests in the God whose friendship does not change and cannot be revoked.

Do I rest my ultimate security in God's unchanging covenant rather than in the fragile, shifting alliances and approvals of the world?

Sources

1 Maccabees 15:17: "The Jews' ambassadors came to us as our friends and allies, to renew the old friendship and alliance, being sent from Simon the high priest."
1 Maccabees 15:19: "It pleased us therefore to write to the kings and to the countries, that they should not seek their harm."
Psalm 146:3: "Don't put your trust in princes, in a son of man in whom there is no help."