Study of the Book of Matthew (Lesson 18) with Sherry Lush
Channel: El Shaddai Ministries
Date: 17/05/2021

download the notes here:
https://www.esm.us/wp-content/uploads/MATTHEW-LESSON-18.pdf
_________________________________________________________________
What political tension is being exposed as Matthew opens this chapter? It is tensions with Herod. Herod was a very controversial figure as he was not really Jewish. He was from a family of Idumeans who had converted to Judaism. However, political power took precedence with Herod, over following Torah. His actions of killing Jewish babies and beheading John the Baptizer were obvious ways of showing where his true allegiance lied. Therefore, when Herodias, the former wife of his brother Philip was pointed out by John, as a Torah violation (Lev. 18:16,20:21). Herod imprisoned John and beheaded him at the bequest of Herodias. These two acts alone caused Herod to be thought of as more pagan than Jewish.