Herod the Great and the Herodians

Since I asked just about everyone that I know about Herod the Great and the Herodians, I thought that I would post what I learned. In case you ever need this kind of information :o)

Trace the history of Herod the Great and the Herodians. What were their major contributions to the history of Judaism and the Jews? What were their main failures?

        Herod the Great was a descendant of Antipater, a known Idumaen. Idumaens during this time were known for their cunningness as well as their business practices with the Romans that were only sought to further their own agendas.[1] These ideals were not lost on Herod the Great, who during his reign from 37 B.C. to 4 B.C., became known for his cruelty and family discord. However, there were positive attributes to his rule that included helping people under his influence during times of hardship, and the building of many architectural structures.[2]

        Unlike the clear distinctions that define the era of Herod the Great, who the Herodians were is a much debated subject.  The consensus, however, is that they were a group of people that sided with the Herodian rulers in general terms of their policies and their Roman social tendencies. [3] They didn’t strictly align with any of the other political or religious parties of the day, but sided frequently with the Pharisees in their opposition of Jesus[4].

        The biggest positive contribution that I found of Herod’s to Judaism and the Jews was the rebuilding of the Jerusalem Temple. This contribution landed him the title “King of the Jews”, however, despite the acclimation; he offended the Jews by placing the symbol of Roman rule, the eagle, on the temple.[5] Could the bestowing of this title be one reason he was adamant about killing the proclaimed “King of the Jews” in the gospel of Matthew by ordering the murder of all male children under the age of two in Bethlehem?[6]

        The failure of Herod the Great and the Herodians was their patriotism to the Romans. He did not win any favoritism with the orthodox Jews, the Sadducees, or the Pharisees because of his violation of the Mosaic Laws and allegiance to the Roman Empire.[7]

---

[1] Bible History Online, “Herod and the Herodians”, The Bible Knowledge Accelerator, http://www.bible-history.com/jesus/jesusHerod_and_the_Herodians.htm (accessed January 17, 2005)

[2] Thomas D. Lea and David Alan Black, The New Testament, Its Background and Message (Nashville, TN: B&H Publishing Group, 2003), 25.

[3] M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition (Thomas Nelson, 1897).

[4] James Orr, “Herodians,” International Standard Bible Encyclopedia Online, http://inernationalstandardbible.com/H/herodians.html

[5] David L. Brown, Ph. D., “Biographies of the Herods.” First Baptist Church of Wisconsin, under “Logos Resource Pages,” http://logosresourcespages.org/History/herods.htm (accessed January 2012)

[6] Matt. 2:16

[7] Jona Lendering. “King Herod the Great.” Livius Articles on Ancient History. http://www.livius.org/he-hg/herodians/herod_the_great02.html (accessed January 17, 2012)

God's Favor

Psalm 84:11 "For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless"

I am such a blessed girl, and despite my walk being far from blameless, my God still bestows upon me blessings. He truly does not withhold good things from me. Here's an example of just how much....

My girlfriends and I LOVE PF Chang's! I mean seriously love it. We have GNO there at least every couple of  months, and every time I get together with my friends Connie and Becky, that's where we head. This is not lost on our God who loves to give good gifts to His children (Matthew 7:11).

A while ago (as in, I don't remember how long it has really been) Becky, Connie and me headed out for a little food and fun. We ordered our usual Lettuce Wrap appetizer, and to our surprise, the waiter brought an extra order that was "on the house". Definitely a show of His favor with an abundance of something that we love.

The next time I went a few months later was with my GNO girls! Much to our surprise and delight, especially with two pregnant women at our table, several "on the house" items were bestowed upon us. One of which included the very yummy Banana Spring Rolls Dessert. We almost couldn't handle all of God's favor that night :o).

In December our GNO group ventured to PF Chang's again. Now that I think of it, maybe we go there so often because Christy hasn't climbed up on that horse, yet (I know she's reading this so I had to add that). And much to our delight we got more free food! This time there was the small fact that we had called ahead and still had to wait about an hour before we were seated that aided in our extras. But, had our attitudes been bad, or should we have chosen to cop an attitude with the hostess we probably would have missed out on this "favor". But we delighted ourselves in Him and the fact that we were together having a fun night out, and He was true to His word and gave us a desire of our heart (Psalm 37:4).

Tonight was no exception as Connie, Becky and me headed out for what may be out last excursion together for a very long time (Mama Chick is heading to PA soon, I will miss you so much....poor Becky will be stuck with me..LOL). I had a coupon for free Lettuce Wraps which was a good start, but when our entrees arrived, the waiter had brought an "extra" entree for us to have.

Four trips all with free food. I don't believe in coincidence, but I do believe in the divine providence and favor of my God. I know my friends do, too. So many times we get carried away with life and don't pay attention to the favor that God is bestowing on us. It is so easy to take things for granted or to just write them off as something nice happening. My challenge today and to whoever is reading this is to recognize God's favor in your day-to-day life. He truly is able "to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think" (Ephesians 6:20), even when it comes to free food at PF Chang's.

Resolutions 2012

I didn't really make any resolutions for 2011, and don't feel particularly inclined to do so for 2012 either. However, I did accomplish a few things that are note worthy and hope to keep this trend moving forward into the new year.

I ran a 5k race in 2011, and lost 25 pounds as a result of running more. I didn't start out with this as my goal, but as I started running more and loosing weight, I not only looked better physically but felt better physically and spiritually. I haven't been running the last few weeks and can definitely tell a difference. Even though I am not trying to loose anymore weight, I want to maintain the weight I have lost. Running will definitely stay on my agenda for the coming year.

Finishing my bachelors degree was also on my "to do list" last year. I am happy to say that I did accomplish this in 2011. My challenge for 2012 will be starting my masters degree in Christian Leadership through Liberty University Online. This degree won't necessarily help advance my career, but I felt that it was the choice God wanted me to make, and look forward to all He is going to teach me through this program.

Another thing on my heart is to spend more quality time with my boys. The reality of how little time I have left with them weighs heavy sometimes causing me to wonder just how much of an impact I am making. Am I teaching them the things they need to learn or just going through the motions of navigating life? It is difficult to manage everything going on, and sometimes I admit that I follow my own agenda more than really thinking about what is best for them.

These three things will not be completed in 2012, and with the exception of my graduate degree, won't be fully accomplished in any year. They are all ongoing growing and learning experiences, thoughts that prompt me to be a better person. Callings of God to become more of who He wants me to be and less of the woman I want to be. As John 3:30 tells me, He must increase and I must decrease.

I believe in God's plan for me and my boys (and for everyone else on the planet, too). Although I don't always understand what He is up to or why things happen the way they do, I know in my heart that His plan is best. I want to pursue Him more than ever in 2012.

Father I pray that we all come to know what is the width, length and height of the love of Christ. A love that we can't fully comprehend, but also a love that fills us with the fullness of You and all You have in store for us. Help us to believe that You, Jesus, are able to not only fulfill the desires of our hearts and help us through even the hardest of circumstances, but are able to do exceedingly and abundantly above all that we could ask for or think of. It is Your power that works in us, and I pray that we will let It work.  (Ephesians 3:18-20)

Tomorrow

Proverbs 27:1 " Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring"

How true this scripture rings for me. I have certainly been reminded of how quickly things can change and how life is certainly uncertain.

Not quite three weeks ago I was getting ready for my college graduation. My friend Debi and me were getting our nails done, her family had already arrived in TN and my aunt and uncle were on their way. The whole day was exciting and made me a little nervous. But what I remember most was the overwhelming feeling of God's love for me and the realization that He had seen the redemption of one of my past mistakes to completion. He reopened doors for me and gave me a second chance at college. This time around I did what I should have done the first time He afforded me the opportunity, my part. I graduated with a 3.89 GPA, and was already accepted into two different graduate level programs. I sent pictures to my mom and celebrated with friends and family that evening.

Another celebration happening that weekend was that Zach was singing the "Happy Birthday, Jesus" solo at our Christmas play at church on Sunday. We were so excited about it. He was even wearing a tux. Sunday morning came, Zach sang and I couldn't have been more proud to be his mommy (there were 850 people at church that morning and he stood in front of all of them in the spotlight- the video is on my Facebook page so check it out if you haven't already)!

But how quickly my heart went from overflowing with the grace of redemption and pride for my baby boy to the emptiness of loosing someone who I loved very much but didn't tell nearly often enough. See, there were always tomorrows. Tomorrow I could show Jimmy my graduation pictures and talk to him about the ceremony and my GPA and all the plans that I had for graduate school. He was (other than my mom, and even sometimes he out did her) my biggest fan. Not once when I talked to him or saw him did he fail to tell me how proud he was of me. He loved for me to sit and talk to him, to drive him to work, to just hear about what was going on in my life. Tomorrow he was going to watch the video of Zach singing the solo and get to see him in his tux. Zach loved his pop, (and not just so he could ride the scooter chair) and his pop loved him. Being the musician that he was, nothing would have made Jimmy prouder than seeing Zach standing on that stage singing. He probably would have cried. We always joked and said that Jimmy would cry at a cigarette pack opening, and he agreed. But those tomorrows didn't come the way they were planned. Instead they came with tears and sadness. With funeral arrangements and a funeral. With first trips to the House of Music without the man that started it all. First nights spent without him. The first time I walked into their house without Pop calling out to me and saying, "Baby, I'm so glad you made it. Are you going to do something fun with your friends while you're here? You need a break. And by the way, you look great and I am proud of you".

I have had a million thoughts and about as many regrets about that weekend. Thinking about how quickly things change and how we really do not know what tomorrow holds. Sometimes we don't even know what the next minute holds.

But I do know this, that there is a tomorrow coming that will only hold the joy that I felt on graduation day and when Zach sang. It will not hold the sorrow that loosing Jimmy brought. Pop is already in that "tomorrow" and I can't wait to get there, too (Revelation 22:20). 

"Pop, I'm so glad you made it. I hope that you are doing something fun with the angels. You needed a break. And, by the way, you look great and I am proud of you."