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And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. Romans 8.28 Lord, in the midst of chaos, darkness, and despair, You are a steady and reliable pillar for us to lean on. We know that every trial and hardship work together for our good and Your glory. Give us the faith to move forward with hope and assurance in Your plan when we feel weak and lost.
Guide us with your word and remind us of all your promises. We know that just because we believe in you doesn't mean we're immune to hardship. Rather, we know that purpose can be found in the midst of hardship. Thank you in advance for all the lessons and growth that will come from our struggles. Continue to love and guide us through it all. In Jesus' name, amen.
Thank you for praying with me today. Stay tuned now for another episode of Stories of the Messiah with Rabbi Schneider. Herod's smile was a serpent's grin as he raised his glass to the wise men. Then perhaps the rumors hold true, my lords. A new king may indeed grace our land. Glory to God. But his eyes were stormy seas, churning with rage and fear.
Should you find the child, do return and tell me, so that I too may pay my respects. The Magi thanked Herod and departed. Herod watched them leave, his smile changing into a snarl as the door closed behind them. Messiah or not, he hissed in a venomous whisper, no one will dethrone me.
His eyes blazed with malevolence that recalled the cruelty of Pharaoh long ago. With a cry of fury, he hurled his cup against the wall and summoned his guards. Slay every boy under two! Show no mercy to those who defy me! He slumped back into his throne, his thoughts a whirlwind of paranoia. An infant shall not undo me. He vowed the words a dark oath.
The palace seemed to shudder at his command, a foreboding silence descending as Herod's madness spiraled further into the darkness, a void of which there could be no return. Shalom and hello. Welcome to another episode of Stories of the Messiah. I'm Rabbi Schneider from Discovering the Jewish Jesus. Today's episode is jarring and unsettling.
As much as we would love for the Christmas story to end on a high note with Joseph and Mary blissfully walking off into the sunset, that isn't how the gospel is told. You see, Jesus' birth isn't the happy ending. It begins God's mission to rid the world of evil. That evil will be put on full display in this episode. The chilling account of Herod's order to kill all the male children in Bethlehem, age two and under, is a dark shadow in the story of Jesus' birth.
This heartbreaking event, often called the massacre of the innocents, reveals profound truths about the human condition and God's redemptive plan. Let's not shy away from hard stories like these. The darkness of mankind is revealed to us so that the light of Christ can shine all the brighter. Let's dive back into the story now. At the end, we will search for the redemptive truths and silver linings.
Herod's mind was a twisted labyrinth of pride and paranoia. A dark forest of fear and obsession haunted him. His throne was his identity, his power the essence of his being. The mere whispers of a newborn king sent tremors through his mind.
Herod hadn't even spared his own sons from his paranoid rage, so this newborn stranger would be no different. He was prepared to drown the paranoia and fear in the blood of innocence. The orders were given, cold and merciless. Slay every boy under two from here to the outskirts of Bethlehem, he commanded, his voice the edge of a knife.
Burn their houses if you must. Let the flames purge our land of this false hope.
His soldiers were seasoned men of war and subjects to Caesar. But even they found themselves at a moral crossroads. Their loyalty to their king battled the humanity that still flickered within their hearts. They had faced death on the battlefield and had shed blood in the name of Caesar. But this, this was a horror they had never imagined.
The first village was a peaceful settlement nestled in the shadow of the mountains. As the soldiers approached, the air was filled with children's laughter and the scent of freshly baked bread. Their orders were clear, their path defined.
But as they looked into the eyes of the mothers and fathers and the innocent children, their hearts wavered, a fragile dam holding back a torrent of doubt and despair. Are we monsters? One soldier whispered to another as they set fire to the houses, the flames leaping like hungry demons. Is this what we have become? The king's will be done.
The other replied, his voice hollow, his eyes haunted. "We have no choice." "But there is always a choice."
Hideous evil is often committed by those who feel they have no way out. The soldiers pressed on, village after village, a trail of tears and ash marking their path. They pried children out of their mothers' arms and executed the fathers who tried to stand in their way. The horror of parents losing children became a relentless nightmare, a wound that would never heal.
Some soldiers broke, their minds shattered by the atrocities they were committing.
Others pressed on, their humanity a distant memory, their souls numb to the suffering. In one village, a mother clung to her child, her eyes wide with terror as the soldiers approached. Her husband stood before her, a broken man, his face a mask of despair. "Take me instead," he begged, his voice a plea to the heavens. "Take my life."
but spare my son. But the soldiers continued their course. Their swords and torches cut through the valley of Anatoth. The cries of babies, growls of fathers, and laments of mothers filled the air.
all in the name of Herod, sitting atop his throne of evil. The prophetic words of Jeremiah hung in the air. A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, weeping, and great mourning. Rachel, weeping for her children. She wouldn't be comforted, because they are no more. Herod's hideous acts mirrored Pharaoh's long ago when he chose to drown the Hebrew children in the Nile.
Yet, out of that tragedy, a hero emerged, a child who was spared for the sake of rising to deliver those very people. If Herod had understood the story of Moses, he would have known that God would not suffer evil rulers long. After Anototh, the soldiers traveled to the town of Bethany. Flames engulfed any home that refused Herod's decree. The soldiers did quick work.
searing their souls along with the houses. Finally, they set their sights on Bethlehem. They traveled across rolling hills, bent on finding the King of the Jews.
Herod's act was born of pride and paranoia. Having heard from the Magi about a newborn king, he saw a threat to his power. His pride led to an atrocious act of violence against innocent children. Pride blinds us, binding us in a self-centered prison where power and prestige become the gods we serve. Herod's pride, driven by a need to protect his rule, resulted in destruction. The biblical warning is clear.
Pride precedes destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall. Herod's tragic story is a cautionary tale for all of us. We must examine our hearts for traces of toxic pride that can lead to spiritual decay. Herod was not the first ruler to fall victim to paranoia and pride. The dark parallels between Herod and Pharaoh are striking. Just as Herod sought to kill the children of Bethlehem, Pharaoh ordered the death of the Hebrew male children in Egypt.
Both rulers were driven by fear and a desire to maintain control. Their horrendous acts were attempts to suppress what they perceived as threats to their power. But here's where the story of redemption unfolds. The connection between Jesus and Moses comes in. Moses was saved from Pharaoh's decree and raised to lead the Israelites out of slavery, becoming a symbol of liberation and law. In our next episode, we'll see how Jesus escapes Herod's massacre.
He would lead people to the ultimate liberation from sin and death, fulfilling the law. Moses was a type of savior for his people, but Jesus is a savior for all humanity. Jesus was the greater Moses. Both were protected and preserved by God's sovereign hand, demonstrating that no human power can thwart God's purpose and plan. The contrast between the glory of the Magi's visit and the horror of Herod's massacre can be jarring.
But it's within this juxtaposition that we see a powerful truth. Even in the wake of hideous acts and evil rulers, God is working in the margins. Herod's atrocity didn't derail God's plan for salvation. In fact, it fulfilled the prophecy from Jeremiah 31:15, showing that God's redemptive plan was in motion even in the darkest moments.
God's ways are not thwarted by human sin or failure. His redemption works through and sometimes despite our brokenness. God's grace shines even in the darkest places, offering hope and healing. As we celebrate Christmas, let us remember the whole story, not just the joyful beginning. Let us reflect on our need for a Savior, the cost of our redemption, and the amazing grace of a God who works in the margins to bring about His perfect plan.
Romans 8.28 says, And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. This Christmas, may we find comfort in God's sovereign love and purpose, trusting that he is working all things together for our good, even when life's circumstances seem bleak and hopeless.
May we relinquish our pride and bow before the humble King Jesus who came to set us free. Join us for our final episode of the Nativity as Joseph is once again called in a dream to participate in God's spectacular plan. To delve deeper into the story of Jesus, you're welcome to visit discoveringthejewishies.com. I'd also like to recommend my new book, Messianic Prophecy Revealed, Seeing Messiah in the Pages of the Hebrew Bible.
It's available via my website. If this podcast has blessed you, be sure to follow and subscribe so you never have to miss an episode. And remember to download Pray.com to hear even more great stories and make prayer a priority.
