That feeling is all too familiar in the story of the Maccabees.
We pick up the story with Jonathan, who’s been leading the Jewish people in their fight for freedom. He gets word that Demetrius’s princes – that is, the leaders representing the Seleucid king Demetrius – are on their way to Cades (also known as Kedesh), a city in Galilee. And they’re bringing a whole lot of force, with the express purpose of getting rid of Jonathan once and for all. We find this account in the Book of Maccabees I, chapter 11.
Talk about pressure!
So what does Jonathan do? He doesn’t back down. He immediately goes to meet them, ready for a fight. But he’s also smart. He knows he can’t leave the rest of the country undefended, so he leaves his brother, Simon, in charge.
And Simon, he's no slouch either. While Jonathan is dealing with the threat from Demetrius's princes, Simon sets his sights on Bethsura (or Beth-zur). He surrounds the city, engaging in what the text calls "a long season" of fighting.
Imagine the scene: the siege, the constant tension, the back and forth. It must have been grueling.
Eventually, the people of Bethsura realize they’re in a tough spot. They ask Simon for peace. And Simon, ever pragmatic, grants it. But there’s a condition. He expels them from the city, takes it over, and installs his own garrison. So, while peace is achieved, it’s on Simon’s terms.
Meanwhile, Jonathan and his army are making their own moves. They set up camp at the water of Gennesar, which we know as the Sea of Galilee. And bright and early the next morning, they head for the plain of Nasor – likely Hazor, a strategically important location.
What's striking about this passage is the sheer determination of these leaders. They're constantly on the move, constantly responding to threats, constantly strategizing. There's no time for rest, no room for complacency. It's a relentless struggle. And yet, they persevere, driven by their belief in their cause.
It makes you wonder: what are we willing to fight for? What principles are so important that we'd dedicate ourselves to them with that same level of commitment? The story of Jonathan and Simon is a powerful reminder of the strength that comes from conviction and the sacrifices we make for what we believe in.