20 Nov, 2008
Israeli archaeologists unearth Herod family tombsArticle courtesy of Reuters.
An Israeli archaeologist said on Wednesday he had unearthed what he believed were the 2,000-year-old remains of two tombs which had held a wife and daughter-in-law of the biblical King Herod.
Other findings announced by Ehud Netzer of Jerusalem's Hebrew University provided new evidence of the lavish lifestyle of the Roman-era monarch also known as the "King of the Jews."
Herod, a Roman-anointed king who ruled Judea from 37 BC until his death in 4 BC, has a special place in biblical history. Herod rebuilt the Jewish temple in Jerusalem, making him a focus of study in the Jewish state.
The Gospel of Matthew says Herod ordered the "Massacre of the Innocents," the killing of male infants in Jesus' birthplace of Bethlehem, out of fear of losing his throne.
Netzer, an authority on Herodian excavations, showed reporters portions of two limestone sarcophagi he says had contained remains of one of Herod's wives, Malthace, and a daughter-in-law.
He said these findings supported his claims that another sarcophagus he found at the site in 2007 had been Herod's tomb. Some experts had said then the evidence seemed inconclusive.
Based on the additional sacrophagi he has found, and despite the absence of any inscriptions or documentation by the ancient Jewish historian Josephus Flavius, Netzer said:
"I would eat my hat if it were someone else's tomb."
Ancient Discovery
The truth comes alive.
Matthew 2:1-8
The Visit of the Wise Men
2:1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:
6 “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’”
7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” (ESV)
Herod the Great was quite disturbed when the magi asked about a newborn king of the Jews because:
1) Herod was not the rightful heir to the throne of David; therefore many Jews hated him as a usurper. If Jesus really was an heir, trouble would arise.
2) Herod was ruthless and, because of his many enemies, he was suspicious that someone would try to overthrow him.
3) Herod didn't want the Jews, a religious people, to unite around a religious figure.
4) If these magi were of Jewish descent and from Parthia (the most powerful region next to Rome), they would have welcomed a Jewish king who could swing the balance of power away from Rome. The land of Israel, far from Rome, would have been easy prey for a nation trying to gain more control.
Herod lived a cushy, self-absorbed life. It appears that this king was primarily concerned with his own life - especially his power and authority. The very presence of Jesus threatened Herod's position.
Herod was clearly lying when he told the magi: "when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him." Herod's had no intentions of worshipping the baby Jesus.
What are our intentions with Jesus? Why are we seeking him? Do we search for Him for our own personal gain, or do we serve Him as our King of Kings?
When you think about your own personal relationship with Jesus Christ, ask yourself: am I pursuing this for my own gain or am I in this to bring glory to Jesus?
Herod was clearly lying when he told the magi: "when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him." Herod's had no intentions of worshipping the baby Jesus.
What are our intentions with Jesus? Why are we seeking him? Do we search for Him for our own personal gain, or do we serve Him as our King of Kings?
When you think about your own personal relationship with Jesus Christ, ask yourself: am I pursuing this for my own gain or am I in this to bring glory to Jesus?
Your friends may not know the story of Herod, so it may be difficult to bring up today's news article in conversation. At the same time, it may be a great time to talk about the truth of the Bible. The Bible records history. It has proven itself an accurate and reliable record of people, events, and places.
Mention today's news article and how it confirms biblical history. Your friends may have never heard the story of Herod before. They may wonder why Jesus was such a threat to a powerful King. What a privilege we then have to tell our friends how Jesus Christ lived, died, and rose again to restore our relationship with the Father!
Mention today's news article and how it confirms biblical history. Your friends may have never heard the story of Herod before. They may wonder why Jesus was such a threat to a powerful King. What a privilege we then have to tell our friends how Jesus Christ lived, died, and rose again to restore our relationship with the Father!
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