(5) Temple Prophecy, Foreign Kings, Herod's Rage.
Later, 4 BC …
The shepherd Samuel was back at his home in Hebron so I had a chance to visit with him and get the latest. They named Mary’s Baby, “Jesus” [Yeshua, Joshua, “the Lord saves”] (Lk 2:21). I asked Samuel about the welfare of the little family – oh!, this winter has been so cold! His shepherd partner, Elijah, it turns out knew many people in Bethlehem, and a widow he knew gave the family a welcome in her home (cf., Mt 2:11). Oh, I couldn’t imagine a young woman giving birth in a stable and using a feed trough for the baby’s cradle! Ugg! (Lk 2:7, 12, 16.)
Samuel says Simeon also prophesied that the Baby would be “for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign of contradiction.” (Lk 2:34.) We talked about what that could mean. A sign is clear. That many people will speak against Him? Fall and rising? We though it probably means people will do to the Messiah the evil things they did to the prophets of old. Ahh. Samuel said Simeon also said a sword would pierce Mary’s heart. (Lk 2:35.) Ahh. Old Anna was also there and had some prophetic words. (Lk 2:36-38.) But I kept remembering Mary, something very special about that young girl – well, woman now, mother now. God’s ways are certainly mysterious. (Lk 2:33.)
Then Samuel mentioned three kings and I picked up. Foreign kings from the East. Magi they say. Apparently they know the stars, and they saw a strange star that, from their traditions, could only mean a new king was born in Judea. Huh? I’d never heard such a thing. But so they came – these Gentiles! – and went to Herod’s palace. Yes, “Uh-oh!” is right! A mistake it was, but they realized what Herod was like and got away. It seems fantastic, but Samuel said the star had been guiding them all the way from the East, and now led them to Bethlehem and stopped right over the widow’s house where the family was. But there’s more! The Lord somehow had given them the knowledge that this king to be born was actually the Lord God Himself. “Yes!” Samuel said, “They really came to worship the Baby – they knew who He was!” Now I found that really surprising. Gentiles?! But Samuel said it’s true, that they fell down on their knees before the Baby in Mary’s lap and worshiped Him. So God has even given grace to the Gentiles! They then gave Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Wow! Gifts for a king, incense for worship, and myrrh? Hmmm. (Mt 2:1-12.) Well, that’ll provide for the family’s needs for a long while.
And then – get this! – Samuel said that very night Joseph had a dream – yes, another angel – told him that Herod was about to search for the Child to destroy Him. (Mt 2:13.) Well, of course that’s totally believable. Herod kills his wife, his two sons, and recently exiled a third son away to Rome – wicked scoundrel! Now as Samuel had been away from Hebron, I let him know that Zechariah and Elizabeth here had had the same concern so Elizabeth and John are now away in hiding out in the desert (cf., Lk 1:80) and Zechariah is serving in the Temple. Yes, we all know what Herod is like. Samuel said that Joseph understood also, and right in the middle of the night he took his family and they escaped down into Egypt. (Mt 2:14-15.) Good!
“But that’s why I’m here in Hebron now,” Samuel said with some concern. “To protect my family.” And then he told me. Herod’s on a rampage. Started a day ago. His men have been killing every boy child under two years of age. Started in Bethlehem. (Mt 2:16-18.) Then surrounding towns. We both agreed, they’ll be in Hebron next. His littlest is in danger. So we are imploring the Lord’s mercy to keep his family, John and Jesus, and their parents, all safe.
The Messiah’s coming: Wonderful. Blessed. Dangerous. And with so many grieving.
Postscript
Sadly, we later heard about Zechariah. Herod’s men killed him right in the Temple, while he was ministering there. Herod knew of little John and the prophecies. Wicked jealousy! Herod wanted to make sure John was killed as well. Zechariah would not disclose anything. So they killed him. Right there in the Temple!
All of Hebron is grieving for this good priest. Rest in peace, faithful servant of the Lord. Receive your reward.
Dibby Allan Green