Morning Moments

The Madman Mt 2:13-23

1. His Inquiry “called together”

Obviously the magi intended to return to Herod, and would have done so but for the dream. When they failed to return, they seemed by Herod to have taken pleasure in deceiving him, and the very honesty of their conduct passed for the lowest depth of cunning.

2. His Indignation “furiously angry”

He was furious because he felt he had been made a laughing stock, and considered that they had taken such a serious matter so lightly.

3. His injunction “slew male babies”

This brutality was in keeping with Herod’s character. Jealousy as to his authority led him to murder two high priests, his uncle Joseph, his wife, and three of his own sons, besides many other innocent people. Fearing that the people might rejoice at his departure, he summoned the leading citizens out of all the cities of his realm, and, shutting them up in the circus grounds at Jericho, ordered his sister Salome and her husband to have them all put to death the moment he died, that the land might mourn at his death.

BLESSINGS!