Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-19

INTRODUCTION This lesson is In
cidental and retrospective. 1t is introduced
into the gospel narrative out of its order
to account for the suspicious of Herod on
hearing of Christ,s popularity. Ozark
vi:14.) But for the troubled conscience OF
the licentious king. awakening his fears
that the murdered John had returned to
life clothed with even greater power John,
x:4I. the world might never have known
the manner of his death. The greatest OF
the prophets, his mission being fulfilled
(Matt.. iii:3; John. i:S1), might have sunken
into obscurity before Him whom he intro
duced John. iii:S0) the stars disappear
when the great luminary mounts the heav-
ems. 2. Herod had two palaces. one for
the winter In the south. east of the Jor-
dan; the other for the spring and summer,
at Tiberias, on the western shore Of the
Sea of Galilee. His removal from the for
mer to the latter transferred him from the
field of Johns ministry to that of Jesus.
Hence the knowledge of Jesus. g. Rear
ranging the facts chronologically and ae-
cepting some guidance from profane his
tory (Josephus Antiq. lib. xviii:c. ID, the
passage may be studied under six heads.
SINFUL wEDLoCK The Herod Of
tho lesson (Antipas), descendant of both
Jacob and Esau, on the death of his father,
Herod the Great, became tetrarch OF Cali
lSc dHu ISIid NI<uhS, EOuCdIou Ill
Rome and married to the beautiful daugh-
ter of Aretas. King of Arabia, he began
his career with fiattering prospects. While
on a visit to Jerusalem he became enamor-
ed of Herodias, granddaughter OF Herod the
Great, his niece. the wife of Herod-Philp,
his half-brother, person of great wealth.
Overtures of marriage were accepted One
put away his wife and the other abandoned
Tome. daughter Of Herodias. accompanying
her mother, and the incestuous twain cele-
brated their nuptials In the palace. This
scandalous proceeding violated the law OF
God LEV, xx:2D trampled upon mans
honor and woman's virtue, and outraged
domestic purity. 1t became an open re-
proach to the throne and menace to
public morality. And yet the courtiers
joined in the batteries and festivities that
inflame the pride and crafty the ambition
of a social monster.
FAITHFUL PREACHER. Then came
the Baptist into Herod's dominion John,
1928 preaching repentance. Crowds gath
cred to hear. the king becoming an inter-
ested auditor. Greatly pleased with the
preacher, Herod did many things enjoined
In the sermons. Verse 20). That was
great opportunity for the reformer. If he
can win the ruler popularity and fortune
wait him. Shall he speak gently. dealing
in distractions and batteries? Shall he dis
course upon the sin of the antediluvians or
the virtues OF the patriarchs? Shall he
bring flowers of rhetoric and quotations
from the sages? q Cor. lid. A wide field
Of polite learning, familiar to Herod. might
have afforded him many interesting themes.
But how can John benefit the ruler unless
he penetrates into the heart and touches
the sore spot? der, xxii:17) And how
can he prepare for Messiah unless he
strikes at sin In high places? lisa,
lvii:14.) And, what is most important, how
shall he answer to God If he let the sinner
escape? Geek fii:1S; Acts, xx:27) The
preacher Of the wilderness did his duty,
ai,,1x rfn Moro ic No M
his meaning when he declared to Herod, 1t
is not lawful for thee to have thy brothers
wife" AS court preacher John placed
himself beside Nathan QI Sam, kid and
Elijah. q Kings, xxxvi:20)
RESTRAINED HATRED. There is
reason to believe that Herod was convicted,
for he acknowledged John to be holy man.
Possibly If left to himself he would have
put away Herodias. And she may have
feared such result. At any rate, the words
of John reused the worst element Of her ma
ture. She hated him and would have killed
him had she power and opportunity. prov
ix:13) Partly to appease her and protect
the man Of God, partly to rid himself of
such bold accuser, perhaps to prevent
tumult among the people who might rise
up against a wicked ruler, perhaps because
the devil prompted and God permitted
psalm, lxxxvi:10), Herod shut up John in
prison. The place selected is supposed to
have been the fortress Of Machaerus, about
six miles eastward from the head of the
Dead sea- From that lofty point John
might have looked over all the scenes of his
childhood and ministry. When he was I'M
prisoned Jesus departed into Galilee. (Matt,
WHY From that prison John sent mes
sengers to Jesus (att., kip, desiring to be
assured that he was the Messiah.
BLOODY REVENGE. Woman's heart
may be pure as an angels or it may con-
tain the hate of demon. prov, xiii:
1929 Restrained in her murderous desire
Herodias did not abandon it. The oppor-
tunity came on Herods birthday, perhaps
eighteen months after. Contrary to Jewish
law, but according to heather custom
(Esth., i:3-D, the occasion was observed
by q feast The merry making closed with
a most revolving exhibition. Salome. half
clad. performed the part Of professional