WISDOM FOR TODAY.
MOTHER INFLUENCERS (4).
Scripture Treasure.
Mark 6:21-28
And when a convenient day was come, that Herod on his birthday made a supper to his lords, high captains, and chief estates of Galilee;
And when the daughter of the said Herodias came in, and danced, and pleased Herod and them that sat with him, the king said unto the damsel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee.
And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom.
And she went forth, and said unto her mother, What shall I ask? And she said, The head of John the Baptist.
And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked, saying, I will that thou give me by and by in a charger the head of John the Baptist.
And the king was exceeding sorry; yet for his oath's sake, and for their sakes which sat with him, he would not reject her.
And immediately the king sent an executioner, and commanded his head to be brought: and he went and beheaded him in the prison,
And brought his head in a charger, and gave it to the damsel: and the damsel gave it to her mother.
Insight and Highlight.
Herodias was a mother influencer of evil. She was wicked, abominable, and unrepentant.
Scripture Commentaries.
Perhaps one of the most immoral, notorious, and manipulative mothers recorded in the scriptures was Herodias.
While there are mother influencers of biblical pedigree, Herodias was notorious and is our case study today as we continue to look at the negative side of mother influencers.
We must be careful of how people may influence us to satisfy their desires.
Herodias, the female version of the Herod dynasty, was the principal executioner of John the Baptist.
She was a bitter woman, an adultress who became the wife of Herod.
Herodias' husband was Philip, who was the brother of Herod.
John the Baptist confronted Herod, telling him it was unlawful of him to take his brother's wife, Matt 14:5-6.
Herod was not happy with John.
And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.
Herod was afraid of John ".....knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him;...", Mark 6:20, so Herod "*laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife.*, Matt 14:3.
The daughter of Herodias danced at the king's birthday, and it pleased Herod, so he asked her to ask for anything and he would grant her.
The damsel ran to Herodias, her mother about Herod’s request, and Herodias directed that she asked for the head of John the Baptist.
Herodias was an obsessive killer who had waited for a moment like this in order to retaliate on John.
The throne is not for grace granted for such a devilish ambition.
She influenced an innocent daughter to occasion the death of one of God's most faithful servants.
This story tells us that most dreadful decisions made by established leaders may be through the influence of people who are not a part of the constituted authority.
A mother motivated by lust, grudge, and power prevailed over a king who feared to kill John.
Though Herod was sorry and distressed but he conceeded to the request of the blood-sucking mother of the damsel
A woman who indulges in lust and adultery will indulge her children to commit evil.
The prophet’s head was brought to the daughter of Herodias, who gave "....it to her mother," Mark 6:28.
No remorse from a mother but a plan that was executed, a bitter 'reward' for John's righteousness and a reluctant but permitted evil.
Remember, we must not influence others as if we do not care.
How are you influencing your home and others?
Remorse corner.
Rather than influence the monarch and her daughter to righteousness, Herodias influenced her daughter and Herod to do wickedly against the Lord.
Call to Word action.
Prov 25:4-5 Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel; take away the wicked from the presence of the king and his throne will be established in righteousness”.
The Christian clarion duty.
There are cheap mother influencers and there are grace mother influencers.
A good mother influencer would choose a path of life.
Prayer.
Lord, as you show me the path of life, help me to be a mother influencer who empowers rather than endangers in Jesus name.
Good morning all and have a blessed day today.
God bless you.
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