1 Maccabees 10:1-6: a reflection

1In the one hundred sixtieth year, Alexander Epiphanes, the son of Antiochus, went up and took possession of Ptolemais. They received him, and he reigned there. 2King Demetrius heard about this, and he gathered together exceedingly great forces, and went out to meet him in battle. 3Demetrius sent a letter to Jonathan with words of peace, so as to honor him. 4For he said, “Let’s go beforehand to make peace with them, before he makes peace with Alexander against us; 5for he will remember all the evils that we have done against him, and to his kindred and to his nation.” 6So he gave him authority to gather together forces, and to provide weapons, and that he should be his ally. He also commanded that they should release the hostages that were in the citadel to him.

With rival kings, Alexander and Demetrius, contending for power, both suddenly court Jonathan's allegiance. Demetrius, fearing Jonathan might side with his rival, hurries to make peace first, sending words of honor, authority to raise an army, the return of hostages, all to win Jonathan to his side. Jonathan finds himself courted by competing powers, each offering favors and honor to secure his loyalty for their own advantage.

Notice the situation: competing powers vying for one man's allegiance, each promising benefits, each seeking to secure his loyalty before the other can. Jonathan's favor had become valuable, and rival claimants competed to win it. And behind the flattering offers lay each king's own interest; they courted him not for his good but for what his allegiance would gain them. It was a moment requiring discernment, to see the self-interest behind the honors and not simply be won by whoever offered the most.

There is a picture here of a reality we all face. Many powers compete for our allegiance, our loyalty, our devotion, ambitions, ideologies, causes, the various masters that promise us benefit if we will serve them. Each courts us with its offers, each seeking our devotion for its own ends. The question, amid all the competing claims, is whom we will ultimately serve. Do not simply give your allegiance to whichever power courts you most flatteringly. Discern the self-interest behind the offers, and remember that your deepest allegiance belongs to God alone. Amid all that competes for your devotion, serve him first.

Lord, Jonathan was courted by rival powers, each offering honors to win his allegiance for their own advantage. In my own life, many powers compete for my devotion, ambitions, causes, masters that promise benefit if I will serve them. Give me discernment to see the self-interest behind their offers, and not to give my allegiance to whoever courts me most flatteringly. Remind me that my deepest loyalty belongs to you alone. Amid all that competes for my devotion, help me serve you first.