BLOOD AND BETRAYAL: THE HASMONEAN KINGS AND THE DYNASTY THEY BUILT
By Heather Quiroz
A few years ago, I was deeply betrayed and wounded by a pastor. It was devastating. I felt abandoned, hurt, and terribly rejected. This person chose (although I don’t believe intentionally) to use their power against me to hurt me and further the pain I was already experiencing.
I tried reconciling with this individual, but I was met with a hand in the face. There was no desire on their end to reconcile. After sending me a farewell email they then blocked me from social media, making it quite clear that they did not want me part of their life any longer.
How could this person who claimed to be a shepherd treat me like this? How could they claim to have heard from God that “it is finished,” between the two of us when so much forgiveness still needed to take place?
The church I had once considered a safe place now seemed unsafe to me. My heart was shattered and for a few months I felt jaded. I started to place all pastors in the category of cruel, selfish and prideful, but I knew that in order for me to heal, I had to let God heal my wounds.
After a few years of seeking God for healing I believe I can say I’m on the other side. I still remember the pain, but the pain doesn’t affect me like it once did.
The high priests of the Hasmonean dynasty hurt a lot of people with their power as well. They led out of a lust for power and prestige. Therefore, similar to what so many of us have experienced within the body of believers, they spent more time hurting people than they did caring for the flock.
The first high priest, John Hrycanus would flog a Pharisee who accused him of not being a full-blooded Jew.
His arrogant son, Aristobulus, would rule for only one year before dying of a bloody intestinal disease. During his reign he had many people imprisoned, including his own mother, whom he let starve to death. He also had his favorite brother, Antigonus, murdered for fear he might try to overtake his rule.
After Aristobulus’s death, his brother, Jannaeus began to reign. Jannaeus would hurt many people. During his reign, 6,000 Jews were murdered during the feast of Sukkot by Jannaeus own guards. He would also crucify 800 Pharisees and have their children and wives throats slit in front of them before they were crucified.
After Jannaeus’ reign, his wife Salome Alexandra would begin to rule, but because she was a woman she couldn’t serve as high priest or as military leader. Therefore, she appointed her two sons; Hyrcanus who would serve as high priest and Aristobolus who led the military. Although there was peace for about nine years during her reign once she passed away, control was given to her two sons and a major power struggle ensued between the two brothers.
This power struggle would lead to a great downfall within the Jewish nation. Rome would take advantage of the two brothers due to their lack of unity and capture the city of Jerusalem in 63 BC.
The Hasmonean dynasty was marked by selfish human hearts. Many leaders, serving as high priest did not lead out of a place of love, but instead from their own fears, insecurities and selfish desires. Thus, hurting people greatly along the way.
What is most shocking is that the role of high priest was meant for the purpose of ushering people into the presence of God. Instead, these men led people away from God and into their own miserable hands. It’s no wonder God was so silent during this period in Israel’s history.
We would do well, as leaders, to come before the Lord in humility, seeking a pure heart and mind. Truly, what every youth ministry student needs to encounter is a loving shepherd. A shepherd willing to care for the sheep. If any part of your ego is driving your desire to serve in youth ministry, please kill it before it hurts the teenagers and adult leaders you’re shepherding.
Let people into your life and allow God to grow you as a Shepherd so that unlike the kings of the Hasmonean dynasty you can be a shepherd who truly ushers people into the presence of God.
Shalom,
Heather