Care in choosing leaders

Matthew 2:16-20 (The Message)
16-18 Herod, when he realized that the scholars had tricked him, flew into a rage. He commanded the murder of every little boy two years old and under who lived in Bethlehem and its surrounding hills. (He determined that age from information he'd gotten from the scholars.) That's when Jeremiah's sermon was fulfilled: A sound was heard in Ramah, weeping and much lament. Rachel weeping for her children, Rachel refusing all solace, Her children gone, dead and buried. 19-20 Later, when Herod died, God's angel appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt: "Up, take the child and his mother and return to Israel. All those out to murder the child are dead."

King Herod upon hearing about the birth of Jesus had all boys 2 years old and under put to death. For Herod was trying to ensure no other king would take away his position. His fear, jealousy and arrogance brought about the slaughter of innocent children. Yet God had already known this was going to occur and that Jesus would return. Hosea 11.1 said, “Out of Egypt have I called my son. “

Parents once asked their young child where Jesus lives. The response was “in our basement”. They asked further and the 3 year old said that is because we keep the baby Jesus there with the wise men. The basement was where the manger scene was stored each year. The verses above tell the story of what happened after the wise men visited Herod. It was now almost 2 years after the birth of Jesus and Herod learned of this king who would one day lead the people of his nation. Out of arrogance, fear and jealousy he killed the young boys. Some might say God allowed these children to be killed. It could be said a cruel and unjust king killed innocent children. Or it could also be said the people had placed their faith above God in a king who was unjust and they received the consequences of their decision. I believe it was the consequences for allowing an unjust king to rule over them. We need to be careful in our choice of leaders for we never know what rules they may impose upon us.

And as a point of trivia, the Wise Men were never at the manger where Jesus was born, but instead went to the home of Joseph and Mary years later. Only shepherds, the most common of man was there to witness the birth of our Lord and Savior.