Who was King Herod? How would he have a relevant contribution to our views of life today?
Born in 74 bc, Herod the Great was the son of Antipater, a Jew of Idumean (Edomite) descent who established the Herodian dynasty through the favor of the Romans. Julius Ceasar appointed Antipater as procurator of Judea in 47 bc. A progenitor of modern day Brat Pack politicos, Herod was catapulted to the political limelight when, at age 22, he was appointed by his father as governor of Galilee.
Herod quickly honed his political savvy, convincing Marc Antony and Octavius to let the Roman Senate give him the title "King of the Jews". The Jews strongly resented the title because he was a half-Jew and anything but religious. Hoping to pacify the Jews, Herod rebuilt the temple in Jerusalem. Politicians today who attend prayer rallies of different religious groups must have learned from Herod.
Herod displayed military prowess by defeating the inva-ding Parthians after three years of war. Thereafter, perhaps with tobacco in hand, he ascended the throne and ruled with an iron fist until he died. The consummate political weathervane switched allegiance from has-beens Antony and Cleopatra to rising Caesar Augustus.
When King Herod heard this, he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. (Matthew 2:3 niv)
Herod entered into matrimonial alliances in order to build his network of influence. He had ten wives, with sons who would follow his penguin-like gait. He married Mariamne, from the fa-mily of a political rival, the immensely popular Hasmoneans.
Finally snuffing out the opposition, Herod executed Mariam-ne’s grandfather. Still seeing sha-dows of enemies, he executed Aristobulus, Mariamne’s brother, and later, even Mariamne herself and her mother Alexandra. Paranoid of anyone who might snatch his throne, Herod meted the death penalty upon his own sons, Aristobulus and Alexander. Their half-brother, Antipater, who accused them of plotting against their father, was himself executed. Augustus would say later, "It is better to be Herod’s swine than to be his son."
Hence, when Herod received the disturbing news of a coming pretender to his throne, the whole of Jerusalem got so disturbed as well. It was like a new coup attempt was in the offing.
But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times. (Micah 5:2 niv)
Herod let loose his grandiose edifice complex as he built huge stadiums for sports spectacles, magnificent palaces and grand theaters to entertain his courtiers, often naming structures after his political benefactors. Macapagal Highways and Aquino Avenues pale in comparison to Herod’s creations. The reconstructed temple in Jerusalem, regarded as the greatest of Herod’s projects, showed his vanity more than any tinge of piety.
How could the Messiah, as prophesied in the Old Testament, come out of Judah while King Herod the Edomite reigned over all of Judea? How could the King of the Jews come out of the humble town of Bethlehem? How could Bethlehem, overshadowed by the Herodion, one of Herod’s palace fortresses, disturb the powerful king? Why would he lose sleep over some infant? Was he not the builder of the greatest architectural wonders of the known world? Yet the Jews had been longing for a messiah. Herod could not relax one bit in the face of perennial threats to his throne. He would just have to eliminate this latest nuisance.
When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under… (Matthew 2:16 niv)
There is no question that Herod was capable of ordering the massacre of the innocents. The historian Josephus wrote that Herod was "a man of great barbarity towards all men equally and a slave to his passions". Passionate in his ambitions and enslaved by his paranoia, Herod the Great became the Butcher of Bethlehem.
Two kings clashed. One had, so to speak, the guns, goons, girls and gold, the political machinery, the military backing, the war chest to buy out principles. The other one had all the physical limitations of a baby. As he grew up, he suffered the rejection of his people, the abuses, and finally death on behalf of humankind. It was no contest.
King Herod spent the last year of his life writhing in pain. His body got infected with disease. The only scream louder than his screams at night was that of the King who hung on the cross to die for the sins of men and women. Today, Herod’s grand palaces, fortresses, theaters, his army, his gold–they are but footnotes in the pages of history.
But the true King lives on, reigning in the hearts of those who trust in Him for their salvation. He reigns in the lives of people who get His strength and courage to go against the tide of injustice, oppression, corruption and selfishness. Hail to the King–the true King! He shall reign forever and ever.
A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel. He will crush the foreheads of Moab… Edom will be conquered… but Israel will grow strong. A ruler will come out of Jacob. (Numbers 24:17-19 niv)
The author is Associate Pastor at Greenhills Christian Fellowship.