Herodias

Herodias

Day 1

Herodias means "Heroic" and is the female form of "Herod"

Her Character: She was a proud woman, she used her daughter to manipulate her husband into doing her will. She acted arrogantly, from beginning to end, in complete disregard for the laws of the land.

Her Shame: To be rebuked by an upstart prophet for leaving her husband, Philip, in order to marry his half brother Herod Antipas.

Her Triumph: That her scheme to murder her enemy, John the Baptist, worked.

Key Scriptures: Matthew 14:3 - 12; Mark 6:14 - 29; Luke 3:19 - 20; 9:7 - 9

Matthew 14:3 - 12
3 For Herod had laid hold of John and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife. 4 Because John had said to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” 5 And although he wanted to put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.6 But when Herod’s birthday was celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod. 7 Therefore he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. 8 So she, having been prompted by her mother, said, “Give me John the Baptist’s head here on a platter.” 9 And the king was sorry; nevertheless, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he commanded it to be given to her. 10 So he sent and had John beheaded in prison. 11 And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. 12 Then his disciples came and took away the body and buried it, and went and told Jesus.

Mark 6:14 - 29
14 Now King Herod heard of Him, for His name had become well known. And he said, “John the Baptist is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him.” 15 Others said, “It is Elijah.” And others said, “It is the Prophet, or[a] like one of the prophets.” 16 But when Herod heard, he said, “This is John, whom I beheaded; he has been raised from the dead!” 17 For Herod himself had sent and laid hold of John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife; for he had married her. 18 Because John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” 19 Therefore Herodias held it against him and wanted to kill him, but she could not; 20 for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him. And when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly. 21 Then an opportune day came when Herod on his birthday gave a feast for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee. 22 And when Herodias’ daughter herself came in and danced, and pleased Herod and those who sat with him, the king said to the girl, “Ask me whatever you want, and I will give it to you.” 23 He also swore to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom.” 24 So she went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask?” And she said, “The head of John the Baptist!” 25 Immediately she came in with haste to the king and asked, saying, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” 26 And the king was exceedingly sorry; yet, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he did not want to refuse her. 27 Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded his head to be brought. And he went and beheaded him in prison, 28 brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother. 29 When his disciples heard of it, they came and took away his corpse and laid it in a tomb.

Luke 3:19 - 20; 9:7 - 9
19 But Herod the tetrarch, being rebuked by him concerning Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife,[a] and for all the evils which Herod had done, 20 also added this, above all, that he shut John up in prison.

7 Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by Him; and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John had risen from the dead, 8 and by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the old prophets had risen again. 9 Herod said, “John I have beheaded, but who is this of whom I hear such things?” So he sought to see Him.

Day 2

The Herods

Both husbands of Herodias were part of the Herodian family of rulers, as was Herodias herself. Her first husband, Herod Philip, as well as her second husband, Herod Antipas, were her uncles as well as her husbands.
The family of the Herods ruled in Judea and the surrounding areas for over 125 years. The first Herod, known as Herod the Great, was king of Judea from 37 to 4 B.C. His reign was marked by division and domestic troubles, but also by prosperity. While in power, he built amphitheaters, palaces, fortresses, Gentile temples, and the Temple of Herod in Jerusalem. This temple was his crowning achievement, noted by the historian Josephus as Herod's most noble work. The literature of the rabbis of that time states: "He who has not seen the Temple of Herod has never seen a beautiful building."
Herod's five wives produced seven sons, most of who went on to rule parts of the Near East for the Roman Empire. Herod's son by Mariamne of Simon, Philip, was Herodias's first husband. Herodias herself was a daughter of another of Herod's sons. That made her Herod's granddaughter as well as his daughter-in-law by marriage. Herodias wasn't the only one of Herod's children to form such relationships; Herod's great-granddaughter, Bernice, became the consort of her brother, Herod Agrippa II, aso a great-grandchild of Herod.
The events at the birthday banquet described in Mark 6 are the culmination of years of corrupt living by a family who had power and knew how to use and misuse it. Herodias's actions, though horrifying, are not really surprising. Each step along the way to requesting John the Baptist's death was perhaps a small one, little noticed, but each step made its relentless way down a path to sin, until what would have been unconscionable years before now seemed acceptable and reasonable. Sin is like that. One small lie leads to another bigger lie that leads to another even bigger lie. The path of sin is strewn with small, seemingly insignificant decisions that lead nowhere but farther along the path away from truth and God.

Day 3

Read Mark 6:17 - 29 (from Day 1, or click on link to bible gateway)http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%206:17%20-%2029&version=50

Why do you think Herod had John put in prison? Because he wanted to please his wife or because he was angry and afraid of John himself.

When someone confronts you with something that is wrong in your life, how do you respond?

Note the different responses to John recorded in verses 19 and 20. What do these responses tell you about Herod and Herodias?

Which response is more like yours when confronted with sin? Are you like Herodias - sulking and wanting to get even with those who reveal your sin or failings? Or are you like Herod - willing to listen, curious about what the other person has to say?

What do you think Salome's dance must have been like to produce such and extravagant promise from her stepfather?

Have you ever promised something to someone that you later wished you hadn't? What did you do?

Have you ever plotted, like Herodias, to get your own way? How does that make you feel about yourself? Are you pleased when you get your own way, or is the result less satisfying?

What other response could Herod have given? Was he obligated in some way to fulfill his promise, or could he have told her to come with another, more reasonable request?

When have you done something you later wished you hadn't simply because of the pressure of those around you to do it? What would have been a better response?


Day 4

Her Legacy of Prayer

For John had been saying to Herod, " It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife," So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. - Mark 6:18 - 19

Reflect on Mark 6:14 - 29

Praise God that he gives us opportunities to repent and turn back to him.

Offer thanks for the men and women in your own life who have had the courage to tell you the truth.

Confess any tendency to respond defensively to constructive criticism.

Ask God for the grace to respond to correction with humility.


Day 5

Lift your heart

Most of us hate criticism. Part of our defensiveness stems from our inability to see the connection between brokenness and grace. How differently we would respond if we understood that repentance is like a garden hoe breaking up the soil to make it ready for the seed. If we want to cultivate the fruit of the Spirit in our lives- love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control- we must cherish the truth, however it comes to us. Being receptive to criticism doesn't mean we become persons of low self-esteem. It simply means that we will be open about our sins and faults, believing in God's desire to forgive and help us to change. This week, take some time for a little soul-searching. Is God trying to get your attention about something that is off-kilter in your own life? Is he raising up a prophet in your own family - a child or spouse who is trying to tell you the truth? If so, listen and then pray about what you hear. Resist the temptation to make the person pay for his or her words by sulking, holding a grudge, or criticising him or her in turn. Instead, be the first to say you're sorry. A habit of repentance will make your heart fertile soil for God's grace.

Father, I know how deceitful the human heart can be. Please give us the courage to be honest and the faith to believe in your forgiveness. May our hearts become a place of brokenness, where grace and truth can flourish.

Jezebel

Day 1

Jezebel: "Where is the prince?"

Paired with Israel's worst king, Jezebel was the nation's worst queen and one of the Bible's most infamous women. How different her story would have been had she harnessed her power, her drive, and devotion in the service of God. A strong character, Jezebel could have been a female apostle Paul, whose misguided zeal was redirected toward the kingdom of God. Instead, unlike many biblical figures who are depicted with a mixture of good and bad traits, she stand out as someone purely evil, whose moral character is one-dimensional. Totally devoted to her gods, she reflected their image completely. Despite obvious miracles and repeated warnings, she was a women who chose to harden her heart and suffer the consequences.

Key Scriptures: 1 Kings 16:29-33, 18:1-19:2, 21:1-25, 2 Kings 9

1 Kings 21:1-25

Naboth's Vineyard
1 Some time later there was an incident involving a vineyard belonging to Naboth the Jezreelite. The vineyard was in Jezreel, close to the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. 2 Ahab said to Naboth, "Let me have your vineyard to use for a vegetable garden, since it is close to my palace. In exchange I will give you a better vineyard or, if you prefer, I will pay you whatever it is worth."
3 But Naboth replied, "The LORD forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my fathers."
4 So Ahab went home, sullen and angry because Naboth the Jezreelite had said, "I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers." He lay on his bed sulking and refused to eat.
5 His wife Jezebel came in and asked him, "Why are you so sullen? Why won't you eat?"
6 He answered her, "Because I said to Naboth the Jezreelite, 'Sell me your vineyard; or if you prefer, I will give you another vineyard in its place.' But he said, 'I will not give you my vineyard.' "
7 Jezebel his wife said, "Is this how you act as king over Israel? Get up and eat! Cheer up. I'll get you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite."
8 So she wrote letters in Ahab's name, placed his seal on them, and sent them to the elders and nobles who lived in Naboth's city with him. 9 In those letters she wrote: "Proclaim a day of fasting and seat Naboth in a prominent place among the people. 10 But seat two scoundrels opposite him and have them testify that he has cursed both God and the king. Then take him out and stone him to death."
11 So the elders and nobles who lived in Naboth's city did as Jezebel directed in the letters she had written to them. 12 They proclaimed a fast and seated Naboth in a prominent place among the people. 13 Then two scoundrels came and sat opposite him and brought charges against Naboth before the people, saying, "Naboth has cursed both God and the king." So they took him outside the city and stoned him to death. 14 Then they sent word to Jezebel: "Naboth has been stoned and is dead."
15 As soon as Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned to death, she said to Ahab, "Get up and take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite that he refused to sell you. He is no longer alive, but dead." 16 When Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, he got up and went down to take possession of Naboth's vineyard.
17 Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite: 18 "Go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, who rules in Samaria. He is now in Naboth's vineyard, where he has gone to take possession of it. 19 Say to him, 'This is what the LORD says: Have you not murdered a man and seized his property?' Then say to him, 'This is what the LORD says: In the place where dogs licked up Naboth's blood, dogs will lick up your blood—yes, yours!' "
20 Ahab said to Elijah, "So you have found me, my enemy!" "I have found you," he answered, "because you have sold yourself to do evil in the eyes of the LORD. 21 'I am going to bring disaster on you. I will consume your descendants and cut off from Ahab every last male in Israel—slave or free. 22 I will make your house like that of Jeroboam son of Nebat and that of Baasha son of Ahijah, because you have provoked me to anger and have caused Israel to sin.'
23 "And also concerning Jezebel the LORD says: 'Dogs will devour Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel.'
24 "Dogs will eat those belonging to Ahab who die in the city, and the birds of the air will feed on those who die in the country."
25 (There was never a man like Ahab, who sold himself to do evil in the eyes of the LORD, urged on by Jezebel his wife.

Day 2

Baal Worsip

Baal Worship involved the use of incense and sacrifice so common in the forms of worship of that day. The sacrifice at times involved innocent humans (Jeremiah 19:5) Also, since the main function of the god Baal was to make the land and animals and people fertile, fertility rites formed the chief part of Baal worship. Male and Female attendants performed sexual acts in order to induce Baal to lavish fertility on the land.

The worship of Baal held a unique attraction for the people of Israel. When they wandered from their faith in the one true God, they often wandered toward trust in the false god Baal. The Israelites worshiped Baal during the time of Barak and Balaam (Numbers 22:41), as well as during the time of the judges (Judges 2:13; 6:28-32). Even after Elijah's triumph over Baal on Mount Carmel and the death of 450 priests of Baal that day, Baal worship continued off and on all during the reigns of the kings of Israel and Judah.

The worship of any false god is, of coarse, hateful to the true God. To us, Baal worship seems like a disgusting and foolish practice. We are too sophisticated to understand its appeal. But aren't false gods just as prevalent today as in Jezebel's day? Consider, for instance, the popularity of New Age religion or the way we worship sports heroes, movie stars, and millionaires. Ours, unfortunately, is a society that bows to gods of money, sex and power. It would do us well to remember that anything, no matter how good, that supplants God's place in our lives can become an idol if we let it.

Day 3

1 Kings 18:4
While Jezebel was killing off the LORD's prophets, Obadiah had taken a hundred prophets and hidden them in two caves, fifty in each, and had supplied them with food and water.)

What does Jezebel's actions in this verse tell you about her devotion to Baal?

What makes it obvious to people you meet that you serve the Lord?

1 Kings 18:39; 19:2
39 When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, "The LORD -he is God! The LORD -he is God!"

2 So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, "May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them."

Compare Jezebel's and the Israelites' reactions to the Mount Carmel duel. What do you think made Jezebel so dedicated to Baal?

How dedicated are you to the Lord? What might cause you to rethink that dedication?

2 Kings 9:31-37
31 As Jehu entered the gate, she asked, "Have you come in peace, Zimri, you murderer of your master?"
32 He looked up at the window and called out, "Who is on my side? Who?" Two or three eunuchs looked down at him. 33 "Throw her down!" Jehu said. So they threw her down, and some of her blood spattered the wall and the horses as they trampled her underfoot.
34 Jehu went in and ate and drank. "Take care of that cursed woman," he said, "and bury her, for she was a king's daughter." 35 But when they went out to bury her, they found nothing except her skull, her feet and her hands. 36 They went back and told Jehu, who said, "This is the word of the LORD that he spoke through his servant Elijah the Tishbite: On the plot of ground at Jezreel dogs will devour Jezebel's flesh. 37 Jezebel's body will be like refuse on the ground in the plot at Jezreel, so that no one will be able to say, 'This is Jezebel.' "

The Story of Jezebel's demise is a disturbing one. She eventually got what we think she deserved, but consider: What do any of us truly deserve? And what, if we're followers of Christ, will we get instead?

Day 4

Promises in Scripture

Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs. ~Jonah 2:8

Where sin increased, grace increased all the more. ~ Romans 5:20

We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. ~2 Corinthians 5:20-21

Mercy triumphs over judgement! ~James 2:13

Day 5

Who knows the power of your anger? For your wrath is as great as the fear that is due you. Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. ~Psalm 90:11-12

Reflect on 2 Kings 9

Praise God that he does not allow evil to go unpunished.

Give thanks, for justice, even when it seems delayed.

Confess any tendency to take God's mercy for granted.

Ask God to give you a healthy fear of offending him.

Lord, I don't want to fear you for the wrong reasons, but for the right ones-- to stand in awe because of who you are. Gracious God, let me never make light of your justice or your power. Instead let me live in a way that honors you. For you are Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.