Page 4 - Good News July 2007 paper

Paul Billington (9 May 2007) troubled, and all Jerusalem with thereof, from two years old and survived. He was born King of the
ccasionally, the news him. And when he had gathered under, according to the time Jews and was crucified King of
headlines make direct all the chief priests and scribes of which he had diligently enquired the Jews. He was raised from the
Ocontact with someone in the people together, he demanded of the wise men.” dead and will return as the King of
the Bible - usually through some of them where Christ should be Israel.
new discovery unearthed by born. And they said unto him, In This murderous action had been
archaeologists. This has been the Bethlehem of Judea: for thus it is anticipated by the prophet Today they have found the grave
case recently with the announce- written by the prophet, And thou Jeremiah some 600 years earlier of Herod. They have found
ment that the grave of King Herod Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, says Matthew - and we can read inscriptions of Pontius Pilate, and
(that is Herod the Great) has been art not the least among the the prophecy of it in Jeremiah even the coffin of Caiaphus. The
found about 15 kilometres south princes of Judah: for out of thee 31:15. powers that be - the rulers of the
of Bethlehem. We read about this shall come a Governor, that shall world at that time - are all dead
King Herod in Matthew chapter 2. rule my people Israel. Then Herod, What a monster of a man this and gone!
when he had privily called the Herod was. But however powerful
Herod’s tomb has been found by wise men, enquired of them and ruthless man may be they There will soon be another
archaeologists following some 30 diligently what time the star cannot thwart the purposes of confrontation between the rulers
years of searching for it. The site appeared. And he sent them to God. Herod did not wipe out the of this world and the Son of God.
of the discovery, the hill known as Bethlehem, and said, Go and newly-born Jesus. He was As the King of Israel He will
Herodium, was known from the search diligently for the young removed to a place of safety until conquer them all and establish
survived writings of Josephus, child; and when ye have found after Herod’s death - and even righteousness, goodness and
but the actual burial location him, bring me word again, that I then, Herod’s successor - another truth on the earth. The call of the
evaded identification until now. may come and worship him also.” man of power (Archelaus) - would Gospel invites us to join the
“A Governor, that shall rule my have similarly tried to eliminate Messiah of Israel in the great work
The news stories about this people Israel.” Looking up the the young child in order to of restoring the Kingdom of Israel,
discovery focus most of their reference in the prophecy of preserve his own power, but as and renovating the whole world.
attention on the enormous Micah 5:2 would not put his Matthew 2:22-23 says: “But when
building projects that Herod anxiety to rest either - sure he heard that Archelaus did reign Herod, the great murderer, has
undertook, including the temple enough, it speaks of One, who in Judea in the room of his father returned to the dust from whence
site in Jerusalem which he would be “Ruler in Israel.” Herod Herod, he was afraid to go thither: he came. He will not kill any more
extended - the remains of which took this as a serious threat to his notwithstanding, being warned of children - and neither will he build
are still visible today. He also built power. God in a dream, he turned aside any more temples or fortresses.
the famous fortress at Masada in into the parts of Galilee: And he The time will soon come however
the Judean wilderness as well as Isn’t it amazing how men in power came and dwelt in a city called when Jesus, Whom Herod and the
the Herodium complex and do everything possible in order to Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled powerful men of Judea sought to
projects in Caesarea and Jericho. cling to their positions! Look at which was spoken by the destroy, will come and build the
He actually died in Jericho but Israel’s Prime Minister today - prophets, He shall be called a temple of the Lord. The glory of
had left instructions to be laid to Olmert is being investigated for Nazarene.” that future temple is outlined for
rest at Herodium. criminal activity, has been held us in Ezekiel’s prophecy, chap-
responsible for the failures in the So it was that Herod disappeared ters 40 to 48. May that vision be
One thing is clear: He was a very Lebanon war last year, and has no from the scene, as did those who fulfilled in the very near future!
powerful, as well as industrious support in any of the polls - yet he followed him, whereas Jesus www.biblemagazine.com
ruler. But he was very jealous of insists on staying in power.
his power and position, and as Modern politicians use every
Josephus records, he put to death imaginable tactic against their
any that he saw as being a threat opponents - including what is
to his authority and rule, inclu- sometimes called “character
ding a wife and three sons. assassination.” President Putin
of Russia even takes it a step
This fits the character of Herod as further than that as has been
we read of it in Matthew chapter 2. witnessed by the murder of at
Herod was made “King of the least two of his opponents.
Jews” by the Roman senate in
about 40 BC, so that he would Well, Herod didn’t stop even when
have been somewhat alarmed by it came to young children. We
the question of the wise men as read in Matthew 2:16: “Then
recorded in Matthew 2:2, “Where Herod, when he saw that he was
is he that is born King of the mocked of the wise men, was
Jews?” The text in Matthew 2:3-8 exceeding wroth, and sent forth,
reads: “When Herod the king had and slew all the children that were
heard these things, he was in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts