Herod's Fear: When Wickedness Meets the Infant King

The Magi sought Christ with genuine worship; Herod sought Him with murderous intent. Both inquired diligently, yet their motives revealed the condition of their hearts.

Wicked men often cloak their evil designs beneath the appearance of religion. They attempt to deceive the truly good and make them suppose shared purpose. Yet Elohim cannot be deceived, and He will bring them to punishment. Herod exemplifies this: he made diligent inquiry, his plans appeared religiously motivated, yet his design was infanticide.

Wicked men often make use of the pious to advance evil purposes. Herod stopped at nothing to carry his ends. He endeavored to deceive the simple, allure the unsuspecting, and beguile the weak to answer his purposes of wickedness.

The plans of such men are often well laid. They occupy considerable time; they make thorough inquiry; all appears virtuous. Yet Elohim sees the design. Though men are deceived, He cannot be—as it is written, "The eyes of Yahweh are in every place, keeping watch upon the evil and the good" (Proverbs 15:3).

Inquiry about Christ produces different results in all: the wise men rejoiced; Herod was troubled. Yet all opposition to Christ and His cause must end in failure and overthrow. The infant in Bethlehem outlasted every earthly power arrayed against Him.