Lessons from Matthew 14: Counsel of God
Remember Herod and Herodias? Well, neither of them took heed to the counsel of God through John the Baptist. In fact, the scriptures reveal that Herodias nursed a grudge against John the Baptist and resented His rebuke.
So the scene is set and the opportunity arose. It was Herod’s birthday. As most of the kings or rulers celebrated, there was a great fanfare, a drunken feast and live entertainment! But what was particularly strange was that this entertainment included Herod’s step-daughter, Salome, the daughter of Herodias and Philip.
Apparently Salome danced in such a way that she pleased her step-father. So much so that he promised to give her whatever she wanted, up to half his kingdom. Basically, Herod was offering to pay her for her performance.
And prompted by her mother, she asked Herod for John the Baptist’s head on a platter.
What a horrible, horrible thing this mother did! She had no regard for her daughter, who she basically prostituted or used lure Herod to get what she wanted. She also taught her how to manipulate others to get what you want, even if that included the destruction of another human being.
Herod immediately recognized his thoughtless gesture and was greatly distressed at the promise he made to her.
But, rather than:
telling her no,
telling her this was not the right thing to do,
using his failure as a teaching moment,
standing up for what was right in front of others,
Herod succumbed to the girl’s wishes and ordered her request. And the girl left with John’s head on a platter and returned to her mother, who I’m sure was delighted!
What a tragic event! This righteous man of God, the forerunner of Jesus, was killed not for doing what was wrong but imprisoned and beheaded for doing what was right in the eyes of the Lord!
No, we don’t understand when such things happen! We ask ourselves, and maybe even God, Why? Why do bad things happen to God’s people? And sometimes He might reveal to us why. Other times He may not!
But the important thing to remember is that He is the Almighty, all-knowing Sovereign God of the universe.
Though you and I might not understand all the whys of life, I do know and so can you that in all things, ALL things, God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).
John the Baptist loved Jesus and was called by God to be His forerunner and therefore even in this God had a plan and purpose. Could it have been that God was still giving Herod the opportunity to repent and to do what was right? Could it be that John continued to give forth God’s Word and prove his love for Jesus even in this? Yes I believe it is so.
Do I claim to understand it, NO. But I do trust that the Sovereign God of this universe knows what He is doing even when I do not!
And so I focus my attention on what I know to be true and it’s that His love is never failing, and His Word is ever true and His grace is sufficient wherever I may find myself.
What about you?
Well, unfortunately for Herod, his bad decision haunted him for the rest of his life. His guilty conscience ate away at him and sometime after John’s death, when Herod heard the reports about Jesus, he thought that John the Baptist had risen from the dead. But again, he couldn’t have been further from the truth!
Herod never saw the truth about Jesus and therefore Herod never recognized Him as the King of Kings and the Lord of lords. Not because he wasn’t given the truth. Not because there hadn’t been sufficient evidence. But because he hardened his heart to the things of God and aimed to please man and himself over God.
And therefore when Jesus was brought before Herod, He offered Herod not a word but remained silent! For if nothing John the Baptist had said served to change Herod’s mind, Jesus knew nothing he offered would either! Herod had already hardened his heart and mind to the things of God and His people!
Don’t let that be said of you!
What truth is God pointing at today? Won’t you heed His Word and surrender your will and follow as He leads?
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus but to trust and obey!
Terri Hamman
Faith & Fitness Coach