Highest Bidder Priesthood

Synopsis     2Maccabees 4:11-24     3/25/2021 

With money from the temple treasury, Jason purchased the High Priesthood. In this way, he displaced his brother Onias.  And almost immediately, he set aside the Law of Moses. What’s more, he introduced Greek customs to the Jewish community. 

As a result, the priests became indifferent to the Jewish sacrificial system. The cultural emphasis shifted to adopting Greek ways. Of course, this included the gymnasium and other practices that were disgusting to orthodox Jews. 

Oddly enough, despite the popular move to become more Greek in their customs, the Jews became despised by the very people they worked to emulate. And, in the end, Jason was supplanted by his own ambassador Menalaus.  

Highest Bidder Priesthood 

God originally established the High Priesthood through the Law of Moses. Of course, since the time of Moses, only Aaron’s descendants served as High Priests. But when the Greek speaking Seleucid Empire controlled Israel, the king chose the High Priest.  

As a result, the priesthood became a sovereign appointment. And the king chose whoever was willing to pay the most.  

Authentic Leadership 

In this way, the Synthetic Community attempted to control the Authentic Community. 

But authentic leadership makes present the possibility of salvation to the sinner. So, there is no room for selfish ambition. Its entire purpose is to introduce the mercy of God. 

“The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” 1Cor 1:18