This wasn't some small-time promotion. This was a complete overhaul of the existing power structure.
The people declared that Simon should be obeyed by everyone. Not just some people, not just when it was convenient. Everyone. And it went even further than that.
Imagine a world where every document, every official writing in the entire country, had to be in his name. Where he alone was allowed to wear the royal color of purple and adorn himself with gold. Sounds like something out of a fairytale, right? But this was real, and it was offered to Simon.
But it wasn't just about the perks and the status. It was about control. The text goes on to say that no one – priest or commoner – could break these rules. No one could question his word. No one could even hold an assembly without his permission. And definitely no one could even think about rocking purple or gold buckles without his say-so.
The punishment for disobedience? Unspecified, but you can bet it wasn't a slap on the wrist. This was serious business.
So, what did Simon do? Did he balk at the sheer audacity of it all? Did he worry about the corrupting influence of absolute power?
Nope.
"Then Simon accepted hereof, and was well pleased."
He was "well pleased" to be kohen gadol, high priest, and captain, and governor of the Jews and priests. He was "well pleased" to be their defender.
Now, on the one hand, you can see this as a moment of triumph. After all the struggles, the sacrifices, the battles fought by the Maccabees to liberate their people, here was Simon, finally receiving the recognition – and the authority – he deserved. He was stepping into a role of leadership at a crucial time.
But isn't there also a tinge of something else here? A hint of the dangers of unchecked power? The Book of Maccabees I doesn't explicitly judge Simon's decision. It simply states the facts. But as we read these words, "Simon accepted hereof, and was well pleased," we’re left to ponder the complexities of leadership, the allure of power, and the fine line between defending a people and ruling them. Did Simon see himself as a servant of the people, or something more? And what happens when a leader becomes too comfortable with power, even with the best intentions? It’s a question worth asking, isn't it?