Herod The Not So Great

Jesus told a parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and treated others with contempt. Two men went up to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee and the other a tax collector The Pharisee - keeping his distance from the tax collector -- thanked God that he was not like others, extortioners, adulterers, and this tax collector over there. He bragged to God that he fasts twice a week and he is a big giver at the Temple. The tax collector standing far off ----- with head down beat his breast---- asking God to be merciful to him a sinner. Jesus said this tax collector went home justified for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled. But the one who humbles himself will be exalted. ( Luke 18:9-14 )

A verse that I often cite is Romans 14:22b “Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves”

It is hard to paint a picture of Herod the great -- the villain in today’s gospel reading -- without violating the boundaries of these two Biblical principles. I have taken the liberty to rename him Herod the not so great.

Two thousand years later, and many miles from Jerusalem, medical historians have tried to ascertain the cause of Heriod’s death. The current version is that he had severe renal failure and a serious case of gangrene of his genitals. The pain was alleged to be so severe that he attempted suicide. He should have asked around for some help, I am certain that many would have volunteered to help him kill himself. Maybe his failure to ask for help was another sign of his pride.

It would be equally difficult to do a psychological evaluation of Herod, handicapped by the same time and distance. We could possibly say that he was a sociopath, psychopath, narcissist, sadist or just plain evil.

On the plus side he did have some impressive architectural accomplishments. This includes restoration of the Jerusalem Temple.

On the down side he has a list of assassinations a mile long which include several sons and his favorite wife and her mother. He killed his favorite wife over a rumor that she was unfaithful while Herod was on a business trip. I guess that rumors could be as destructive in antiquity as they are today. The Romans were pleased with Herod’s methods. In general, he maintained his kingdom with swift actions and an excess of cruelty.

His most dastardly deed, in my opinion, was the slaughter of the innocents that he ordered to protect --- in his mind ---- his position as King. He was seventy years old -- and close to death --- when this occurred. His days were numbered and they were not big numbers. He died shortly after this heinous act. He probably wanted to keep the job in the family. He was reliving his life vicariously through his remaining children. Some of his sons and grandsons did remain in government service as Tetrarchs or Etharchs but none made it to King.

The slaughter of the innocents is a result of Herod’s rage over being tricked by the Magi. A less demonic person would have tried to find the Magi to ascertain the child’s location. Failing this he could have conducted an investigation to find out what family was missing. I am sure that with his power he could have solved his dilemma without a slaughter. His actions were the actions of a mad man. He was incapable of relating to the feelings of others .

Herod’s God was himself. Herod loved Herod. He would do anything to keep the job. His audience of one was not God but the Roman Caesar. All of His actions were to benefit the Roman Empire and himself. His subjects feared him but they did not respect him. The Judeans were very distrustful of others, particularly Herod, who was from Idumea, ( E Due May Ah, )

a region that was forced into adopting the Jewish religion. Because of this forced conversion, the Jews questioned Herod’s Jewish orthodoxy. The Idumeans still remembered their painful conversion rites --- that is adult circumcision ---- and had little love for the Judeans. The many assassinations and the slaughter of the innocents did not cause the evil Herod to be honored or loved by his subjects.

Actually, the problems with the Jews and the Edomites ( Later known as Idumeans ) Goes back to Genesis 25: - 27 were Jacob cheated Esau out of his birthright and his blessing. This family feud, at Herod’s time in history had been going on for over 1,900 years. People in this part of the world have long memories.

We have to ask --- rhetorically -- why didn’t God stop this slaughter?