The Command of Herod.

HEROD was the king of Judea and had his palace in Jerusalem. One of his sons was afterwards tetrarch of Galilee (Luke 3:1), and was the one who had John the Baptist beheaded. Mark 6: 14-28. Also, he was one of the judges at the trial of Jesus. As he lived in Galilee, it was necessary for him to be in Jerusalem at that time to attend the feast of the passover. He is referred to in connection with the life of Jesus, in Mark 6:14-22; Luke 13: 32; 23: 7-12; Acts 4:27.

When the wise men came to Jerusalem and made such earnest inquiry concerning Jesus, it caused no little stir among the people.

"When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.

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'And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judea; for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou, Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art

not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

"Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also." Mat. 2:3-8.

man.

Herod was a very stern ruler and a wicked He would do almost anything to carry out the purpose of his heart. He had ten wives, one of whom he murdered. Also, he killed her brother and grandfather, three of his own sons, and many other people. When he was dying, he ordered that the greatest men of the cities in the country over which he was king should be killed, so that there might be mourning at the time of his death.

Is it any wonder that God warned the wise men against such a king? He had doubtless secretly planned to kill Jesus instead of to worship him.

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Then Herod, when he saw he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise

men.

"Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not." Mat. 2:-16-18.

What a sad time this must have been in the homes where there were young children!

The Flight into Egypt.

ACCORDING to the law of Moses, every male child among the Jews must be circumcised. "And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb." Luke 2:21.

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THE MAN OF GALILEE.

In a few days they went to Jerusalem to "offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtle doves and two young pigeons.

"And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

"And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel;