Context No. 4115 of 4322 · 2 Maccabees

2 Maccabees 14:6-14: in context

6“Those of the Jews called Hasidaeans, whose leader is Judas Maccabaeus, keep up war and are seditious, not allowing the kingdom to find tranquillity. 7Therefore, having laid aside my ancestral glory—I mean the high priesthood—I have now come here, 8first for the genuine care I have for the things that concern the king, and secondly because I have regard also to my own fellow citizens. For through the unadvised dealing of those of whom I spoke before, our whole race is in no small misfortune. 9O king, having informed yourself of these things, take thought both for our country and for our race, which is surrounded by enemies, according to the gracious kindness with which you receive all. 10For as long as Judas remains alive, it is impossible for the government to find peace. 11When he had spoken such words as these, at once the rest of the king’s friends, having ill will against Judas, inflamed Demetrius yet more. 12He immediately appointed Nicanor, who had been master of the elephants, and made him governor of Judea. He sent him out, 13giving him written instructions to kill Judas himself and to scatter those who were with him, and to set up Alcimus as high priest of the great temple. 14Those in Judea who had driven Judas into exile thronged to Nicanor in flocks, supposing that the misfortunes and calamities of the Jews would be successes to themselves.

This passage records the treachery of Alcimus, a man who wanted the high priesthood for himself. To get it, he goes to the king and slanders Judas Maccabaeus and the faithful Jews, portraying them as troublemakers who keep the kingdom from peace, and painting himself as a loyal servant concerned for the king's interests.

Behind his accusations lies not genuine concern but personal ambition: he wants the position, and slandering the faithful is his means to it. And his slander bears its bitter fruit; the king sends Nicanor to destroy Judas. There is a recognizable and ugly pattern here. Alcimus used accusation as a weapon of personal ambition, tearing down the faithful to raise himself up. He dressed his self-interest in the language of concern for the king and the common good, but its real engine was his own desire for advancement. This is a tactic as old as sin: to gain what we want by discrediting others, cloaking our ambition in high-sounding motives.

Do I ever tear others down, subtly or openly, to advance my own position, dressing self-interest in the language of concern for others, and will I guard against using accusation as a ladder for my own ambition, as Alcimus did?

Sources

2 Maccabees 14:7: "Having laid aside my ancestral glory, I mean the high priesthood, I have now come here."
2 Maccabees 14:10: "For as long as Judas remains alive, it is impossible for the government to find peace."
2 Maccabees 14:11: "At once the rest of the king's friends, having ill will against Judas, inflamed Demetrius yet more."