3 For when Herod had John arrested, he bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip.
4 For John had been saying to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.”
5 Although Herod wanted to put him to death, he feared the crowd, because they regarded John as a prophet.
6 But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod,
7 so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked.
8 Having been prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.”
9 Although he was grieved, the king commanded it to be given because of his oaths, and because of his dinner guests.
10 He sent and had John beheaded in the prison.
11 And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother.
12 His disciples came and took away the body and buried it; and they went and reported to Jesus.” Matthew 14:1-12.
At first reading, our thoughts may dwell on the cruelty of Herod and the dancer and her mother. We may think: “How unfortunate and sad!”
It is sad, and grief is appropriate. But, it is not unfortunate in the sense that it was out of God’s sovereign control. John the Baptist himself said: “”He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:30 It is also not a random response by Herod who said: “This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.” There is also a little truth in that statement. These conclusions do not take away the sin of this beheading from the responsible parties: Herod, the dancer, and her mother, but these conclusions can help us better understand that “God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28.
The thought occurred to me today that so many Christians, even “fundamental” Christians, believe in creation and scoff at the idea of evolution. Yet, inconsistently, many of these same Christians, even “fundamental” Christians, approach history as “evolving”. Their mantra is “free will”, and they think God and man continually need to respond to an endless line of arbitrary, random actions of sinful man. Their view of history is the “H.S.” of “Helter Skelter”, not the “H.S.” of “His Story”.
As much as we get upset about the scientific origin and development of the biological world being promoted as evolution, should we not get much more upset about history being promoted as “Helter Skelter”?
We need to be reminded that God remains on His throne in total control no matter what even kings may do.
“1 Why are the nations in an uproar
And the peoples devising a vain thing?
2 The kings of the earth take their stand
And the rulers take counsel together
Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying,
3 “Let us tear their fetters apart
And cast away their cords from us!”
4 He who sits in the heavens laughs,
The Lord scoffs at them.
5 Then He will speak to them in His anger
And terrify them in His fury, saying,
6 “But as for Me, I have installed My King
Upon Zion, My holy mountain.”
7 “I will surely tell of the decree of the LORD:
He said to Me, ‘You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.
8 ‘Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance,
And the very ends of the earth as Your possession.
9 ‘You shall break them with a rod of iron,
You shall shatter them like earthenware.'”
10 Now therefore, O kings, show discernment;
Take warning, O judges of the earth.
11 Worship the LORD with reverence
And rejoice with trembling.
12 Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way,
For His wrath may soon be kindled
How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!” Psalm Chapter 2.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 