History Books in 90 Days: 1 Samuel 20-21
HEROD AND THE SCRIBES
Luke 2:3-4 3When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4and
assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them… for Herod is about to
search for the child, to destroy him.
Jesus in the cradle was mightier than Herod on the throne. No wonder Herod was agitated! Herod
had been warned of the end of his dynasty therefore he sought to destroy the Child. No man has
troubled the human heart so much as Christ. Is our attitude that of the adoring shepherds or that of
Herod, mad with jealousy, trembling because of the possible loss of His throne. When the Lordship
of Jesus is truly recognized, many Herod’s are troubled. Troubled Herod sought the advice of the
Scribes and the Pharisees who knew from Scripture the place where the Messiah was to be born.
The Scribes could point the Wise men toward Jesus but they themselves remained motionless. The
attitudes of the Scribes and Pharisees teach us that it is not always those who are blessed with the
most religious privileges who give the most honor to Christ. With their knowledge of the Scriptures
prophecies they should have been the first to head to Bethlehem to look upon the Babe and worship
Him but they received Him not. But we can be the same way; we can have the Scriptures in our
head but not in our hearts. The Scribes never recognized the royalty and deity of the One born of
Mary and right until He died in agony and shame they were Christ-haters. Still today, many reject His
virgin birth and His claims as the Son of God.
PRAYER and MEDITATION
1. What sort of things sit on the throne of your life? What things get in the way of your walk with
God?
2. Ask the Lord for a strategy for dealing with each of these things, then spend some time praying
that you would follow through on what He shows you.
3. Ask the Lord to break down any hardness in your heart so that head knowledge about God can
move down into your heart. Ask Him to soften your heart to receive more of His presence and
His love.
