ESOCS Devotional 6 February 2023
TEXT: MATTHEW 14:1-12
MEMORY VERSE: “And the king was sorry: nevertheless, for the oath’s sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her”. Matthew 14:9
The story in our text is a very familiar one; the beheading of John the Baptist by Herod Antipas, the son of Herod the Great (Luke 3:1). The story comes with so many lessons that will help every believer at family level, church level and an individual Christian living involved decision-making, relationships, marriage and allegiance to God versus allegiance to man, etc.
First, the marriage between Herod Antipas and Herodias was unlawful according to Sinai law (Leviticus 18:14-16; 20:21; 20:21). John condemned such incestuous marriage. Secondly, the dance by Herodias’ daughter (Salome) was a lascivious dance, which is one of the fruits or works of the flesh [Galatians 5:19]. Thirdly, Herod Antipas’ promise was not the promise a good king would make. It was a careless oath made because of lust, and was kept as face-saving because of the surrounding company of pompous friends and royal guests. In actual fact, he did not want to kill John, but the above factors and pride overtook him. Fourthly, John’s death was schemed by Herodias because John condemned her unlawful marriage with the king. She divorced her husband, Herod Philip II, in order to marry his half-brother, Herod Antipas. Again, Herod finally came to his senses; but it was too late – he had to keep his promise, save his face and keep his prestige before his royal guests. The most important lesson is that John’s physical death manifested Herod’s spiritual death because Herod loved his worldly position more than God.
Do you give in to the crowd? Do you let yourself to be pressured into doing wrong thing? Determine to do what is right, no matter how painful or embarrassing it may be.
- Is there anything you feel may influence you to do evil? Get rid of it.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to help you overcome possible negative influences.
FURTHER READING: Deuteronomy 25:5-10; Matthew 5:33-37
Read Yesterday’s ESOCS Devotional here
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ESOCS Devotional 6 February 2023
