Matt 2:8 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.
Insight and Highlight
Proverbs 23:7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.
Scripture Commentaries
There are "Herods" in this world. They are people who lie in hypocrisy, who say they love you but their hearts are not with you. Many times, it is hard to unmask their hypocrisy.
Paul warns us to avoid people who have a form of godliness. These are people who present themselves as godly but are far from godliness. Such was king Herod. Paul says we turn away from them, 2 Tim 3:5.
Herod told the wise men he wanted to know where Jesus was so that he may come to worship Him. God turned the wise men away from him, Matt 2:12.
Herod's mouth was saying something different from what was entailed in his heart.
Herod's evil intentions were made known when he ordered the killing of all children in Bethlehem from two years old and under, Matt 2:16.
Lies and hypocrisy are inseparable.
A lie is so bad that the poor man who is hated by his neighbor is said to be better than a liar, ref Prov 14:20, 19:22.
Just as "the heart is deep to the ribs" so it is so deep that no one can know it, ref Jer 17:9.
King Herod sounded good and loving yet he was far from being truthful.
Remorse corner
The lie is the first sin to be condemned and also the last to be condemned in the scripture, Gen 3, Rev 22:15.
Call to Word action
Be careful, "... Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee. Prov 23:7.
The Christian clarion duty
Be careful of the thoughts of mortal men. Be not deceived. Seek God to reveal who a true friend or neighbor is, to you.
Prayer
Lord, deliver me from the thoughts of mortal men. Render their devices useless. Let your counsel over my life stand, in Jesus name.
Good morning all and have a blessed day today.
God bless you.
