"When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. "Get up," He said, take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him." (Matthew 2:13 NIV)
God > Herod the Great
I know this, but today the Lord reminded me quite emphatically. Herod the Great is just a guy in an ancient text to us, but that was certainly not the case for Joseph and Mary’s gheneration. Herod the Great was the most powerful and intimidating personage of their time. It’s difficult to find a modern counterpart: maybe Vladimir Putin? Herod had money, power, influence and a dark streak a mile wide. I daresay Herod eclipsed even Caesar for the folks in biblical Judea, simply because Caesar was a distant force but they felt the effects of Herod’s moods on a daily basis.
Herod wasn’t labeled ‘Great’ because he had a winning personality or strong leadership skills. He was ‘Great’ because his mind never took a break. Herod was a builder, determined to leave a brick and mortar legacy. He sought to alter landscapes.
When we visited Israel in 2019, we were confronted with the evidence of Herod’s rule. Several of Herod’s vast building projects remain standing. We traipsed through the remains of Caesarea Maritime the very first day: the harbor community Herod had built on footings of sunken sacks of volcanic ash. The harbor itself had mostly washed away after a couple thousand years, but the remains of the amphitheater and aqueduct were still quite intact. Even torn away by years of tides and weather, you got the impression of the scale and grandeur of the city he built by the sea.
A few days later we rode the sky trolley to Masada: a blistering fortress perched high above the Dead Sea. Again, two thousand years could not erase the impression Herod had dug into that mesa. Synagogues, storehouses, and elaborate Roman baths still stand. Herod’s three tier palace stoutly clings to the cliff, an impenetrable habitat which had afforded him visual advantage for miles and miles.
Once we arrived in Jerusalem, our guide pointed to the shaved off hill and Herodium. He explained how Herod literally moved a mountain to make his winter home high enough to spot traitors from every direction.
Within the city, we witnessed the remains of the Temple Mount and understood that Herod had rebuilt the Meager Temple grandly in an attempt to win favor with the Jewish people. His endeavors were unsuccessful: people will not be won when they live in terror of your edicts.
Remember, Herod’s mind never slept. He suffered a constant and consuming fear of his enemies. In fact, he executed one wife and three of his sons for fear of plots against him. He also ordered the Massacre of Innocents: an execution of every male child under the age of two in Bethlehem. Even a man with his kind of power suffered greatly from superstition.
Let’s circle back to our nativity story. Joseph had been warned in a dream that Herod was coming for his family. Imagine the wave of dread that washed over this young husband and father! Yet Joseph, in wisdom, responded in obedience to the Lord instruction. Joseph understood what Quigon Jin attempted to teach Anakin Sykwalker in the underwater world of Episode 1: “There’s always a bigger fish.” Even Herod was subject to God’s system of justice.
So let’s make this personal. Who is playing the part of Herod in your story? Your boss? An in-law? Your spouse? Your situation? Your lack of degree? The government? Your health? Identify it: the person or circumstances that are keeping you up at night and threatening your peace don’t have as much power as you suppose. Be encouraged: God is bigger than your problem, no matter how rich or powerful or influential that person or issue is. He is still on the throne. He’s still in control. And or biggest concern remains obedience to His instructions.
"The Lord is in His holy temple' the Lord is on His heavenly throne. He observes everyone on earth, His eyes examine them." (Psalm 11:4 NIV)
Lord, we are so encouraged today: You are much larger than Herod. There is one God who reigns above us all with wisdom, justice and mercy. We are so glad to be caught up in Your grip. Please grant us the courage to obey when we can’t see, don’t understand or feel afraid. Rule ur hears as You rule the earth. Amen.
Just for kicks and giggles; here’s a happy song from my children’s growing up years that totally applies. Enjoy!