Event 10: Herod’s War with Baby Jesus
The Face of Evil
Matthew 2:16-18 recounts King Herod’s brutal order to kill all the male children in Bethlehem who were two years old and under. This was his attempt to eliminate the newborn King of the Jews, Jesus.
The Bible text, Matthew 2:16–18:
“16 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, according to the time he had learned from the Magi. 17 Then what was spoken through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: 18 ‘A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.'”
Reading this we understand that Herod is the face of evil
One might read this story and say no one could be so evil as to order the murder of all baby boys two years and younger. Such a belief merely shows that such a person does not know Herod. Here are some other things we know about him. He ordered the execution of three of his own sons whom he viewed as rivals to his rule. He executed his wife Miriamne, the mother of the three sons. He also murdered his mother-in-law, Alexandra. Herod is the face of evil.
His story serves to remind me of two truths.
- No one can stop God’s plan.
Herod’s plan was based on ignorance. He was trying to stop Christ from being King of Israel and taking his rule away from him. That was never God’s plan. Jesus is the King of Kings. He rules a spiritual kingdom. Herod’s terrible murders could not stop it. - There is always a glimmer of hope.
Those precious children will rise again. We will walk the streets of gold someday with them and meet these children. Herod robbed them of the moment, but not of eternity.
This passage encourages us to trust in God’s sovereignty, even in the midst of inexplicable suffering. The innocent lives lost were not and are not forgotten by God. Jesus died so that they might live again.
As we ponder this story, may we find comfort in the knowledge that God’s love and justice will ultimately prevail, bringing light into the darkness of our world.
Lonnie Davis