the hands of the priest, and redeemed according to the law, by five shekels of the sanctuary.* At the same time, a holy man named Simeon, who had long waited for the redemption of Israel, even the consolation of those Jewish people, who were looking for the promised Saviour: this good man, now excited by Divine inspiration, took the holy Infant into his arms, and praised the Almighty, imploring, that he might be dismissed this world, since he had beheld the Salvation designed for all nations; a light to illumine the Gentile or Pagan world, as well as to be the glory of the Jewish people. Then turning to the astonished parents, and blessing them, he declared to Mary, that this child should be the occasion of the ruin or happiness of many Israelites; and a mark, at which obdurate sinners would level their malicious persecutions; which, though they should prove the discovery of many hearts, yet, like a sharp sword, would pierce her very soul with sorrow. That the Divine testimony, concerning our Lord, might be ratified in the temple, by two witnesses of both sexes; about the same time came Hannah, an ancient widow, of eighty-four years, of the tribe of Asher, noted for her constant attention * A shekel of the sanctuary, was worth 2s. 3d. of English money. to the temple ministrations, and her frequent fastings and prayers; she likewise, by a prophetic spirit, gave God thanks for His infinite mercy, by testifying, that Jesus was the Messiah, and declared the same to all in Jerusalem, who waited for His coming. (Luke ii. 25, 35). Thus, was the only begotten Son of God presented in His own temple; by which was verified the prophecy of Haggai (2, 9) that the glory of the latter house, should be greater than that of the former, destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar, A.M. 3146-(Ezekiel vii. 20, 22, and xxiv. 21. Jer. lii. 12, 16.) The former temple built by king Solomon, was so vastly superior to the latter, erected by order of Cyrus, under the direction of Zerubbabel and Joshua the High Priest; that the old men, who had seen the former, and lived to behold the latter, lamented exceedingly. After the legal performances at Jerusalem, Joseph and Mary, with the child Jesus returned to Bethlehem, and there continued till ordered by God to remove. Scarcely however, had they returned, when king Herod,* was alarmed with a new and un * HEROD the Great, was the son of Antipater and Cypros, and brother of Phasael, Joseph, and Pheroras, and of a sister called Salome. His father, is by some said to have been a Jew; by others a heathen; and afterwards a Jewish proselyte. Herod was born 70 years before our Saviour, and his father, with the High priest's consent, gave him the government of Galilee. He cleared the country infested by a thievish banditti, and apprehended Hezekiah their captain; but the Jews, who were jealous of Antipater's authority, and of Herod his son, instigated Hyrcanus the High priest to expected event, of the arrival of certain learned astronomers, or magicians, from Arabia; who, having seen an extraordinary star, and understanding by some prophecy, (probably that of Herod cite him before the Sanhedrim to answer for his conduct. attending with his chosen troops, his judges were so terrified that none of them durst speak, except Sameas, who laid the blame of Herod's misconduct on Hyrcanus and the judges, for permitting him to assume too much power. Hyrcanus, however, observing that the judges, though afraid to speak, were disposed to condemn him, deferred bringing the matter to a sentence that day, and advised Herod to make his escape in the night. He retired to Sextus governor of Syria, and was by him intrusted with the government of Cœlo-Syria. To avenge his affront, he marched an army to besiege Jerusalem; but his father and brother prevented him.-A.M. 3963. When Mark Anthony was at Daphne near Antioch, an hundred principal men of the Jews brought accusations against Herod and his brother Phasael; but Hyrcanus the High priest, (who had promised Herod, Mariamne his granddaughter in marriage,) being asked his opinion, represented the two brothers as better qualified, to govern the Jewish state, than their opposers. Hereupon Anthony made Herod and his brother tetrarchs; and had killed fifteen of their principal adversaries, had not Herod petitioned for their lives. Not long after, Antigonus the son of Aristobulus, invited the Parthians to his assistance, and obliged Herod to flee the country, who went to Rome, but had not long been there, when Anthony and Augustus prevailed upon the synod to declare him king of Judea, and Antigonus an enemy to the Romans. Returning to Judea, and assisted by Lucius the Roman deputy in Syria; Herod, after three years' war, took Jerusalem and acted as king. Being disqualified, to hold the double office of High priest and king, as the Maccabees had done for some ages; he therefore made Ananel High priest, but quickly turned him out, to make way for Aristobulus, the brother of his wife Mariamne, to whom the High priesthood belonged; but the Jews Balaam's, Numb. xxiv. 17,) that this signified the birth of the Messiah promised to the Jews; they travelled to the metropolis of Judea, to enquire after the new-born Prince, that they might testify greatly respecting him, Herod about a year after, caused him to be drowned in a bath. After the ruin of Mark Anthony, Herod was obliged to implore the clemency of Augustus; when he met the emperor at Rhodes, and frankly told him, he had done all he could for Anthony his benefactor, and was now ready to do the same for him; if he allowed him his favour, and permitted him to retain his kingdom. Charmed with his open frankness, Augustus granted his desire. His kingdom was now tolerably quiet, but he was plagued with wretched family disorders. He passionately loved Mariamne; but she, disgusted with the murder of her brother, as heartily hated him. His mother and sister persuaded him to murder Mariamne, and he had scarcely done it, when he was almost frantic with grief. Recovering, he ordered Mariamne's mother to be killed, as she had too easily credited the report spread of his death. To divert his tormented mind, he applied himself to building, and instituting public sports. To ingratiate himself with the Jews, he rebuilt their temple, and rendered it exceeding stately and glorious. He sent his two sons by Mariamne, Aristobulus and Alexander, to be educated at Rome. Soon after their return, he married them. Aristobulus, to Bernice, the daughter of Salome his sister; and Alexander to Glaphyra the daughter of Archelaus, king of Cappadocia. Herod's preference for his son Antipater, whose mother was but of mean birth, exasperated both his other sons against him; but by means of Augustus, and afterwards of Archelaus of Cappadocia, a reconciliation was twice effected between him and them; how. ever, Salome, and Antipater, never rested till they instigated Herod to destroy them. Having rid himself of his brothers, Antipater next resolved the death of his father. To hide his hand in the conspiracy, he retired to Rome; but the plot being discovered, he their homage and adoration to Him. Their public appearance, character, and open enquiry for Him, as king of the Jews, excited great consternation in Herod, and commotion in Jerusalem. (Matt. ii. 1, 8.) Thus did God please to manifest the birth of his son, by supernatural means; not only to the Jewish shepherds, but also to the Gentiles or Heathens, as these magicians were; but by different methods, as well as to different under * was imprisoned on his return. Herod was in a languishing way, when the wise men informed him that the Messiah was born. How barbarously he acted on that occasion is above described. Some young men, supposing Herod was dead, pulled down the golden eagle, which he, in honour of the Romans, had erected over the principal portal of the temple; for this he ordered forty of them to be burnt alive. His distemper still increasing, his body rotted and bred worms, and was marked with intolerable malady. To prevent the Jews rejoicing at his death, he convened all the great men of the kingdom and shut them up in the circus at Jericho, where he then was; and with tears constrained his sister Salome, and Alexander, to promise to put them to death the moment he should expire: but they did not execute this horrid device. In agony, he attempted his own life, but was prevented. The outcry on this occasion, made the family believe him dead. Antipater in prison hearing it, begged his keepers to allow him to escape, when they informed his father, who ordered his immediate execution, A.M. 4002. In five days after Herod died, aged seventy, having reigned 37 years. He had fifteen children; and left his kingdom to Archelaus, the worst; Gaulonites, Trachonites and Batanea to Philip; Galilee and Perea, to Herod Antipas. (Matt. ii. 22. Luke iii. 1.) Rev. J. Brown. * See at the end of Chapter VII. an account of the most probable origin of the heathens' information of Christ. |