Bible Biography: Herod

SCRIPTURE - Matthew 2:1-19

BIOGRAPHY

Herod was the greatest non-Roman of his time. Herod was an unbeliever who had a great effect on the life of Jesus Christ. Herod was the son of Antipas II who was in armed conflict with the last of the Hazmanean dynasty, a dynasty founded by Judas Macabbeas in 163 BC. Herod, from Idumea, lived in Petra, learning how to make money from the Nabateans who had discovered the way of sailing to India using the monsoons. He became very rich. When his father was assassinated by the Hazmaneans, Herod ascended the Jewish throne.

At 26 he was described as tall, handsome, very athletic and a great conversationalist as well as being very charming. He was a great hunter, wrestler and bowman yet never as a young man did he have a statue or coin made in his likeness as this would have offended the Jews. His concern for the Jews had been shown early in his reign in feeding them at his own expense for two years. The Jews repaid him by revolting against him. Herod was in the forefront of the political scene, backing Cassius and Brutus after the assassination of Julius Caesar in 15th March of 44 BC.

They were defeated by Augustus at the battle of Philippi in 42 BC. He then backed Marc Anthony against Augustus. Marc Anthony was defeated at the battle of Actium in 31 BC. Herod, however, was confirmed as King of the Jews. After Augustus had been established on the throne of Rome, Herod was able to concentrate on pacifying his own country, including removing bandits from the caves of Galilee, thus preparing the area in which Jesus would grow up.

Herod was the greatest builder of his day. He developed a standing army, the infantry being made up of Greeks and Celts with the cavalry coming from his homeland Idumea. He set up forts from Damascus to the Negev on top of the highest mountains, allowing for excellent communications across his kingdom. Four of these forts were within signalling distance of Jerusalem including one which was six kilometres from Bethlehem. In the last decade of his life, Herod became physically and mentally ill. He became paranoid about plots against his throne which culminated in his reaction when the Magi asked him where the baby born King of the Jews was to be found. Jesus was born some 18 months before the death of Herod, which occurred in the northern spring of 4 BC.

EVALUATION

a) In Matthew 2 the Magi came from Babylon seeking the King of the Jews (Matthew 2:1).

b) Herod was shocked by the Magi's question as he had not been born King of the Jews. He had, through his father, assumed power by coup d'etat (Matthew 2:2,3).

c) The ruler shared his concern (Matthew 2:3).

d) He called the religious leaders together (Matthew 2:4) and demanded where the Christ child should be born.

e) His religious advisers tell him Bethlehem of Judea (Matthew 2:5,6) as this had been given in Micah 5:2. It's location was specified as there was Bethlehem of Zebulun in Galilee (Joshua 19:15,16).

f) Herod sent them to Bethlehem asking to report back (Matthew 2:8).

g) The Magi are given divine revelation that they should return to Babylon by a different route (Matthew 2:12).

h) Herod's worship is seen in the systematic slaughter of the young children in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:16) aged two years and under.

PRINCIPLES

a) God uses unbelievers in His plan. God rules and controls (Romans 9:17; Proverbs 8:15,16).

b) God's history plan will continue despite the absolute opposition of the leadership of the country (Job 12:21).

c) Herod had a tremendous opportunity to seek the Christ child and find salvation. Instead he tried to eliminate the Messiah.

d) Physical strength, mental ability and charm in youth can degenerate in later life to create utter misery (Ecclesiastes 12:1-6).

e) Spiritual beauty lasts forever, and should mature with age (1 Corinthians 13:13).

f) Power and position are not a source of happiness. Power corrupts. Position can become a source of pride (Isaiah 1:23; Amos 5:12).

g) God can miraculously protect believers even from powerful rulers. The Magi escaped even though Herod's communication system was the finest in the world (Daniel 6:23).

DOCTRINES

1. General Scripture (Exodus 20:4-6)

2. A believer without God's Word is in the position of hating the Lord as no believer can love God without the Word of God.

3. There are two kinds of people who hate God:

a) Unbelievers - those who have rejected the word at salvation.

b) Believers who reject the Word of God even though they are loved by God.

4. In this scripture the discipline goes to the 3rd or 4th generation but only if each generation rebels against God. The purpose of discipline is to focus the unbeliever's attention on Christ.

a) Generation I - God disciplines where there is rebellion against Him.

b) Generation II - God disciplines again but there must be rebellion in that generation.

c) Generation III - If there is rebellion he punishes again.

d) Generation IV - Where there is rebellion he punishes again but after the fourth generation a change occurs because if not there would be no perpetuation of the human race.

5. Should any of the generations believe in Christ, God's cursing is turned to blessing.

6. "And showing mercy unto thousands" -- Exodus 20:6

In each generation God does not visit the sins of the fathers on the children without their involvement in rebellion. Each generation stands on its own and is responsible for its own sins.

EXAMPLE - THE HERODIAN LINE

a) 1st GENERATION - Herod the Great (Matthew 2) He was an unbeliever who had every chance to receive Christ as Saviour, he killed 3 of his own sons, attempted to kill the Lord Jesus Christ at Bethlehem and died miserably. As a young man he was a great athlete, very handsome and a great ruler. He degenerated and died in misery.

b) 2nd GENERATION - Herod the Fox (Matthew 14) Herod who married his niece Herodias. Both had every chance to be saved. They came face to face with John the Baptist and the Lord Jesus Christ. Both rejected the gospel which was presented to them. Both died miserably in exile in Spain.

c) 3rd GENERATION - Herod Agrippa I (Acts 12) Agrippa heard the gospel and rejected it. He was responsible for the martyrdom of James and had ordered the death of Peter, though Peter escaped. Agrippa died in a very miserable manner as an unbeliever.

d) 4th GENERATION - Herod Agrippa II (Acts 24,25) Agrippa and his two sisters who represent the 4th generation heard and rejected the gospel from Paul. They died in a very dramatic and unusual way. The Herodian line eventually disappeared as the last members of the family were killed in Pompeii when Vesuvius erupted in AD 78

FULLNESS OF TIME

This expression is taken from (Mark 1:15; Galatians 4:4; Ephesians 1:10). It means:

1. The world was prepared by God for the arrival of Jesus and the spreading of the Gospel.

2. Rome ruled the world. The Roman Empire gave peace in place of constant tribal warfare; it had cleared the sea of pirates and had made an excellent road network. This made it possible for the messengers of Christ to travel quickly.

3. Greek was the common language. The Old Testament had been translated into the Greek (the Septuagint).

4. Most cities had a synagogue and with it a group of people, Jews and proselytes, who knew God and the Old Testament.

5. Greek philosophy had made many people doubt their polytheistic religion. The Roman State religion was a political affair, offering no peace of mind. This left a moral vacuum.

6. Thus the situation was "ideal" for the rapid expansion of the church.