"What we can learn from Herod the Great" Matthew 2:1-20

Preach the Word Podcast

Episode 63

Title: What We Can Learn from Herod the Great
Text: Matthew 2:1-20

Introduction:
A. His Rise
"Herod" was the name used for a number of Palestinian Rulers most famously used for "Herod the Great - King of Juda" (the Herod of this story)
History tells us the Romans conquered Jerusalem around 60 B.C.
Herod the Great's Father, Antipater the Idumean, (a descendent of Esau) was made the procurator of Rome by Caesar in B.C 47 after Pompey invaded Palestine. The same year, young Herod the Great would be made Governor of Galilee. (Around 15 at the time)
In B.C. 40, the Roman Senate would make him king of Judea.

Procurator-an officer of the Roman empire entrusted with the management of the financial affairs of a province and often having administrative powers as an agent of the emperor.

B. His Reign
Herod is famously known for erecting the Temple during his reign.
It was finished around 62 AD only to be destroyed in 70 AD by the Romans.
His reign was from around 40 B.C. to the time of Christ's Birth (Matt 2:19)

The Tabernacle (mobile Temple) about 1444 B.C.- Detailed plan received by Moses from the Lord

Solomon's Temple - 966-586 B.C. Envisioned by Zerubbabel Constructed by Zerubbabel and the elders of the Jews. Desecrated by Antiochus Epiphanes

Herod's temple

C. His Reputation
He is also known for his cruel and determined ways
History tells us that Herod would kill his own sons due to fear he would lose his throne. When he heard that the King of the Jews was born he ordered the killing of all infant boys in an attempt to kill Christ. (Matthew 2:16)

Outline: What we can learn from Herod

I. The Announcement Distressed Him- Matt 2:1-6
v.3 "…When Herod the King heard these things he was troubled"

The King of Judah heard that the King of the Jews had come, and he was troubled. He was troubled by the coming of Jesus because his throne was in danger. The question of the hour is, what does the coming of Jesus do to you?

This of course was the first coming of Jesus. What about the Second? (The next one)
Think of this, what if Jesus were to return for His Church tonight? What does that do to you?

Does it make you trouble you? ( I wish I had more time to… serve God, spend with family, do the things you like, enjoy life.) We learn from Herod that the news of Jesus coming troubled him.
The news of the coming Jesus will trouble you if…
-You like to be in charge, power, in control
- You love your material things, life, country, possessions

II. His Actions Displayed Him Matt 2:7-16
v.7,8. He was upset, He lied, he wanted to trick them, and ended up murdering innocent babies in an attempt to kill the very one who came to save Him. (Think about it… Jesus came to die for Herod.)

The real Herod came out. He asked about the events of Jesus Birth, and then lied about wanting to Worship the real King, King Jesus. Why?
“… for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” – Matthew 12:34

The Wise men knew he was lying (They were wise men) they were praying men, who could discern

“What’s in the well, comes up in the bucket” Coburn Dean Carmichael, Sr, aka Grumps, aka Horsebite Jack

Not only do we learn from Herod that the News of Jesus coming reveals who we are, we also learn that our actions in light of His coming reveal who we are.

Have you ever asked yourself, why do you say the things you say, or do the things you do?
(Christmas) A season of Hope, but we are troubled, angry, jealous, and envious. What is it?
(Our Behavior to others) “it’s not what you say, it’s how you say it”…. Actually, “it’s not what you say, it’s who says it.”
Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. The same mouth that said he wanted to worship the Lord Jesus was the same mouth that ordered babies to be murdered.
(The same mouths that say Jesus is Lord are the same mouths that lie, gossip, and slander)

III. His Aggression Destroyed Him v.17-20
Herod acted in aggression and hate.
He took lives to ensure his position. The coming of the Lord Jesus distressed him and put his evil actions on display.

This is the legacy of Herod the Great.
His Son, Herod Antipas would be the one who mistreated Christ during the trial of His crucifixion. His Grandson, Herod Agrippa the First, would go on to persecute the Church.

Shortly after the killing of the infants, Herod the Great met his demise..

Notice in verses 17 and 18. All the crying and great distress caused by Herod. Then the next verse, “But when Herod was dead”

We learn from Herod that a life without Jesus is a life of destruction.

IV. His Arrogance Defined Him

When Herod heard of Christ, he saw competition. He was envious and jealous and had a sense of urgency to do something about it. He saw those things because he wanted to. We will see what we want when we look for it. A definition of Herod the Great’s life is that he was Envious, jealous, hateful, and cruel.