Family feud can be costly and resolving conflicts might become more challenging leading to bitterness and anger. However, if a brother decides to marry the wife of his other brother while the other brother is alive, it gives reasons for contention. Not only does God disapprove such relationships, even society will not accept such unions. However, if the powerful people in the society are spearheading such unions, the masses can only complain but their words would not be enough to change the hearts of the people involved in such unions. Imagine if a popular preacher with a huge following began to criticize such practices on their platform, their voices might not change the situation but they are more likely to be a force that can cause the people involved to be aware of the displeasure they have caused. Remember, preaching of the truth can lead to repentance (Acts 2:37) or displeasure (Acts 7:54, 57). In this post, we shall consider two women, Herodias and her daughter and how their displeasure of the truth caused the death of God's servant.
Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife (Matthew 14:3)
Herodias was the wife of Philip (possibly Philip the tetrach mentioned in the New Testament). Biblical history (written materials other than Bible) seem to indicate that Herodias divorced her husband Philip and Herod divorced his wife (Phaesalis) and the two divorcees married each other. This might be silly but it really happened. The society was displeased but no one had the courage to confront Herod and Herodias. Moving in with Herod, Herodias came with her daughter (who history attests to be called Salome). In the Palace of Herod was his new wife and his stepdaughter. John, the prophetic son of Elizabeth at this time was operating as "the voice of one calling in the wilderness" (John 1:23). John wasn't pleased with Herod and his new wife and confronted Herod about it. This confrontation displeased Herodias and ultimately led to the arrest of John. Mark's account present it as this:
"For Herod himself had given orders to have John arrested, and he had him bound and put in prison. He did this because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, whom he had married. For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she was not able to, because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled; yet he liked to listen to him." (Mark 6:17-20).
John pointed to Herod his sin, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” Herodias nursed a grudge against John for telling the truth and ultimately influenced Herod to arrest John. Herodias wasn't repentant of her actions and she ultimately involved her daughter in this game of bitterness. Then one day, Herodias and her daughter did the impossible. Mark 6:21 states that, "Finally the opportune time came. On his birthday Herod gave a banquet for his high officials and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee." Herod, like many of the kings in the Bible, decided to show off at this banquet but the star of the day was the daughter of Herodias. The daughter of Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests. The king said to the girl, “Ask me for anything you want, and I’ll give it to you.” And he promised her with an oath, “Whatever you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom.” (Mark 6:22-23). Herod was willing to part with half of his kingdom for a dance. The excited young woman went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?” and Herodias replied, “The head of John the Baptist” (Mark 6:24).
What! You have been offered up to half of a kingdom and you request for the head of one man? What was Herodias and the daughter going to do with John's head? Immediately the girl hurried and told Herod, “I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” (Mark 6:25). Herod was greatly distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he did not want to refuse her. So he immediately sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head. The man went, beheaded John in the prison, and brought back his head on a platter. He presented it to the girl, and she gave it to her mother (Mark 6:26-28). Herodias and her daughter would have gotten rid of John's head as soon as possible but would have celebrated the death of John. Herodias was bent on evil and she pulled her daughter along with her to fulfill her schemes. The death of John did not right the wrongs of Herod and Herodias.
Shutting the voice of truth does not make evil good. God is a God of vengeance and all evil done against Him and His people will be judged. Furthermore, we should also know that there are people who delight in evil no matter what. They are always looking for an opportune time to hurt the righteous. I pray that our steps will be ordered by God so we don't fall into the trap of evildoers. May God help us!
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