Antiochus’ Anxiety

Synopsis     1Maccabees 5:65-6:14     1/20/2021 

Judas Maccabeus had forced the Seleucid army out of Judea. And he had brought back the Jews living east of the Jordan to the safety of Judea.  

After these things, he attacked the Edomites, who had helped Lysias and his generals fight against Israel. At this time, he captured Hebron and destroyed the Edomite strongholds. Then he led his army west to Azotus. This city was formally known as Ashdod located along the Mediterranean Sea. After he conquered the city, he led his army back to Judea.  

During this time, King Antiochus was in the eastern provinces of his kingdom. He had taken his army for conquest in order to raise money for his treasury. However, he failed to conquer Elam, the wealthy Persian city.  

About the time of this loss, he received the reports concerning the rebellion of Judea. Because of these reports, the king lamented how poorly he had treated the Judeans. As a result, he fell into a deep emotional depression from which he did not recover. So, he transferred his powers as king to Philip. 

Antiochus’ Anxiety 

In separate wars, King Antiochus lost to the Persians and to Judas Maccabeus at about the same time. Upon reflection, Antiochus lamented his behavior against the Jews. He recognized that his injustice against them provoked their revolt.  

So, he knew the whole time his behavior was morally wrong. But he repressed this in order to expedite his vision for the kingdom. However, as he faced death, his former pretense was stripped bare. As a result, he became aware that he was responsible for his own demise. In the end, he felt ashamed. 

Inescapable Shame 

My tendency is to justify and dismiss the sinful things that I do. But this habit only leads to anxiety because of the unresolved shame that lurks beneath my conscience. I sometimes repress my guilt so thoroughly that I remain consciously unaware until something, or someone, provokes my memory. And then the shame becomes palpable and seemingly inescapable.  

Perhaps I’m not alone in this.  

What I’ve learned is the ancient tradition of examination of conscience, confession and reconciliation. If more people understood the grace of this sacrament, the world would be an entirely different place. Specifically, there would be less anxiety and less shame. And there would be greater freedom to love and forgive.  

I keep the LORD always before me; with him at my right hand, I shall never be shaken.” Psa 16:8