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Is the Christmas story based on blind faith—or solid historical evidence? In this special Christmas episode of Bible and Theology Matters, Paul Weaver explores how biblical archaeology directly affirms the historicity of the Christmas story. From ancient Babylonian ration tablets to the massive stone architecture of Herod the Great, archaeology confirms the people, places, and political realities described in the Gospels.

Matthew 2:1-12 Wise Men, a Con Man, and a King Please turn to Matthew chapter 2. This is a very well-known advent passage about the wise men from the east bringing gifts to Jesus. There's a lot of mystery and wonder in this text. Part of that is because we're not given many details about the wise men. However, we are clearly given their goal. And so, as I read, listen for why they were seeking Jesus and what they did when they found him. Reading of Matthew 2:1-12. Prayer In our house, you'll find several nativity scenes at this time of year. They're festive and add to the aura of the season. But you know, they don't really accurately depict the manger scene. And one of the inaccuracies is with the three wise men. Most nativity scenes have them. They're usually tall, wearing middle-eastern attire, and bearing gifts as they stand next to the animals. Well, first of all, we're never told how many there were. Yes, they had three gifts, but that does not mean there were only three of them. And second, they did not arrive when Jesus was born. No, actually, they arrived likely when he was 1 year old. They weren't there to see Jesus in the manger. I'm not trying to be the grinch and steal your Christmas joy. Rather, I just want to be sure we distinguish what we actually know versus what tradition has come up with over the centuries. There's a big difference. So, then, what do we know? Who were these wise men led by a star to Jerusalem and then to Jesus? Well, we are told they were from the east and we are given a clue of there origin base on their name. The name “wise men” comes from the Greek word magoi. Some translations give them the title of Magi. It's a word derived from the Persian word for wise men. And because of that, some believe that the Magi came from where the Medo-Persian empire was centered (which is where modern day Iran is). Others believe that the Magi came from the region where the Babylonian empire used to be centered. That's where modern day Iraq is. There are good reasons for both possibilities. If we go back to the book of Daniel, it uses a very similar word for the wise men of the land. Daniel, as you may know, lived in Babylon in exile. Similarly, the book of Esther, which takes place in the Persian capital, also uses a similar word for wise men. In both cases, the Greek translation of the Old Testament uses the word magoi. And honestly, I don't think it makes much of a difference whether the Magi came from Medo-Persian roots or Babylonian roots. Even though these empires were centered in adjacent regions in the middle east, they overlapped as each kingdom took control. A few decades after Babylon conquered the whole region, they were then overthrown by the Medes and then the Persians. After that it was the Greeks under Alexander the Great who conquered the land, and then Roman Empire, which was in control when Jesus was born. And when these empires overthrew one another, it's not like they killed all the people. No, the people just were under the control of another kingdom. Yes, some of them moved out or were exiled. Others moved in to govern, but overall, the culture and history were preserved or intermixed with the new empire in power. Furthermore, when we consider the Babylonians and the Medes and the Persians, they each had their wise men. We know this from the Old Testament text as well as from historical writings from the time. The Magi were the highest educated men of the land. They were given utmost respect and they had major influence in the culture. In fact, extra Biblical writings about the Medes particularly emphasize this. Someone could not become a king in that empire without first the same rigorous study as the wise men. Even more, in the Median Empire, it was the wise men who anointed the king. Think about the significance of tht if the Matthew 2 wise men came from that region. The bottom line is that the Magi who were led to Jerusalem were held in the highest esteem and had significant cultural prominence. Now, let me mention something else important. These Magi knew some of the Hebrew Scriptures. Let me make that case. First, let's go back to Babylon. When Babylon overthrew Judah in the early 5th century BC, thousands and thousands of Jews were relocated to Babylon. They brought their culture with them. They brought their history and they brought their writings. Even when they were later permitted to return to Jerusalem, most of them remained in Babylon and some even intermarried with the Babylonians. Not only that, think of the testimony of Daniel and of Shadrach, Meshach and Abendego. Their wisdom and faithfulness earned them great status in the Babylonian Kingdom. King Nebuchadnezzar found them 10 time wiser than the wise men and enchanters of the region. That's mentioned in Daniel chapter 1. And when they were put to the test, God delivered each of them - you know, the three thrown in the fiery furnace, and Daniel from the Lion's den. After each incident, it was the Babylonian king who decreed that the one true God should be worshipped and served. These men were furthermore elevated to a high standing in the land. Daniel himself ended up being promoted to the third highest position in the entire Babylonian kingdom. You see, their wisdom, wisdom from God, became part of the wisdom of the land. A very similar thing happened in the Medo-Persian empire. Esther in the Old Testament was Jewish, but she was chosen to be queen by the Persian King. Some of you know the history. A plot was made against all the Jewish people in the land. They were to be slaughtered, but through the wisdom of Esther and her uncle, that plot was turned against the perpetrators. In the end, it was the Jewish people who prospered in all 127 provinces of the kingdom. It mentions from India to Ethiopia. Here is my point. Whether the wise men from the east came from a Babylonian heritage or from a Medo-Persian heritage, the wisdom of the land included wisdom from God almighty. Their education would have included testimonies of God's people and their teaching, which God had spread all throughout the east. So, these Magi, who were the highest learned men in the near Eastern culture, would have studied and known the God of Israel, and his prophecies, and the wisdom given his people. Perhaps they knew Balaam's prophecy from Numbers 24 that “a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel.” So, yes, they came from the east, but they were not unfamiliar with what God had revealed and the prophecies of the Messiah. Now, we are not told what prompted them to leave their country and follow a star to Jerusalem. They may have been given a vision given by God in a dream (you know, similar to the dream they were given in verse 12); or it may have been an angel appearing to them similar to how angels appeared to Mary and Joseph and the shepherds. Or, as some have suggested, it may have been their studies of the Jewish Scriptures and the timing of the Messiah. We don't know, but whatever means God used, they knew that they were to seek the promised king who had come… and that he was worthy to be worshiped. Notice what they said when they arrived in Jerusalem. Verse 2. They asked: “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” Now, given the prominence and status of these Magi, their arrival in Jerusalem came with great acknowledgment. We know that because word of their arrival and their question.. filtered all the way up to King Herod. By the way, this Herod was Herod the Great. That is how he was known. Multiple Herods are mentioned in the New Testament. All of them are descendants of this Herod, Herod the Great. And none of them reached the prominence and power of their father or grandfather. This Herod was even given the title “king of the Jews” by the Roman senate. He wasn't even Jewish. This Herod is the one who built the great city Caesarea by the sea. He similarly constructed the mountaintop fortress of Masada in the south. This is the same Herod who ordered the massive renovation of the temple. He did this to try to please the Jews and solidify his title. If you remember, the temple had been rebuilt some 500 years earlier by some of the exiles who had returned. However, Herod transformed and refined it. He doubled the size of the temple mount. And he had the temple adorned with gold plates, and had it covered in white marble. The Jews appreciated this, of course, but it didn't change their opinion of him. In fact, in 2007 (you know, less than 20 years ago) archaeologists actually found Herod's tomb. It was inside the massive fortress that he built near Bethlehem called the Herodium. When they found it, they also found that Herod's sarcophagus had been smashed to pieces. You see, the Jews hated Herod the Great. It's likely, back in the first century, a group made their way into the chamber and destroyed his coffin and did something with his bones. That is because Herod was not a just ruler. He had his first wife executed, including his mother-in-law. He also executed three of his sons. And he had dozen of opponents killed, including high priests and pharisees. Now, look at verse 3. When Herod heard about the wise men and that they were seeking the newborn king of the Jews, it says Herod was troubled. This larger-than-life ruler of the land, who had political and military power, was troubled. Of course he was. These renowned Magi from the east had arrived and they were seeking a new king of the Jews. But that was Herod's title. Do you see why he asked the Magi in verse 8 to find the child born a King? It was not, as Herod had said, so that he could also worship him. No, not at all. Herod was a con man and a tyrant. He wanted to put to death yet another potential threat to his power. Herod did not know where to find this newborn king, so he did two things. First, he asked the priests and scribes. They mentioned Isaiah's prophecy about Bethlehem. Well, that wasn't narrow enough, so second, Herod met with the Magi. He asked them to return to him after finding the newborn king. Well, as the text mentions later, the Magi were warned about Herod in a dream. And so, Herod would never get his wish. So, the Magi were in Jerusalem. Herod had met with them. They knew they needed to travel further, but exactly where, they did not know. But just like before, a star rose to guide them. This star is mentioned four times in Matthew 2. It had brought them west from their country to Jerusalem. The star then turned them south towards Bethlehem. And it led them to the very house where Mary and Josph and baby Jesus were staying. But you ask, how can a star, high in the heavens above lead to a specific home? This is why I believe that it was more of a supernatural star-like object in the sky. Afterall, it moved. It turned them from heading west to south, and then it was able to bring them to a specific place. As verse 9 says, it came to rest over the place where the child was. So, the Magi arrived. Now, in a minute, I want to come back to what they did at that moment. But first, let's consider their gifts. They had brought gifts with them from the east. We sing about them and hear them often at this time of year. The Magi brought gold, and frankincense (not Frankenstein), and they brought myrrh. Now, different scholars have postulated different meanings for the gifts. Some have simply said the gifts were merely a royal tribute. In other words, the Magi brought expensive gifts as they would for any king. Others have suggested that each gift signified something. I think that's likely the case. Let me work that out. First, the gift of gold. Just like today, it was the most precious of metals. It was hard to find and hard to mine. Gold had many uses, but one prominent use of gold was for a king. You know, crowns were made mainly of gold. Kings drank from vessels of gold and they wore golden rings. They carried golden scepters. All those uses are highlighted in various passages in the Scriptures. Of course, gold was not exclusively used for kings, but it's reasonable to conclude that in the giving of gold by the wise men, they were acknowledging Jesus as a king. Second, they also brought him frankincense. It's a strange word. At its core is the word incense. And that is what it was. It came from a rare tree that grew in East Africa. Frankincense is referenced many times in the Old Testament as a fragrant perfume. Most often it was used in the temple by the priests including the high priest. Now, here's the important part. In it's temple use, Frankincense was reserved for incense and sacrificial anointing for Yahweh – for God. It's even referred to as Yahweh's incense. So, it's reasonable to conclude that the Frankincense signified Jesus' divine nature and his priestly role. Which brings us to the last gift. Myrrh. It was a perfume. It was used as a beautiful fragrance for women. You can find it referenced multiple times in the Song of Solomon. Elsewhere in the Scriptures, it's mentioned as a fragrance for clothing. But also, it was used as one of the burial spices. The bottom line is that Myrrh was a fragrance for man – you know, mankind. So, it was different from Frankincense which was reserved in the temple use for Yahweh. Myrrh was instead used for the people. As one commentator put it, “it was a perfume used by and in the interest of… man to make his life more pleasant… and his burial less repulsive.” So, as a gift from the Magi, Myrrh likely signified Jesus' humanity and perhaps his atoning death. In sum, the gifts brought by the Magi testified to who this child was. In the very least, the gifts testified to his kingship. But likely they furthermore testified to the fulness of Jesus divine nature and the fulness of his humanity. In his humanity he was, at that time, a young child born a king, but in his deity, he had existed from eternity past as God the Son. And he had come. The Magi knew and they testified to the wonder and awe of who this child was. He was worthy for them to worship. And I want you to notice something significant. Before the Magi even entered the house, look what verse 10 says. They rejoiced with exceedingly great joy! They gave praise to God for leading them to Jesus. They recognized the significance of that moment in history and that God had brought them to this place, to this child king. And after that, the Magi entered and it says they fell-down before him and worshiped. These revered men, who were not Israelites, who were known for their decades of study and known for their cultural prominence fell down before a one-year old child and worshiped him. Is that not tremendous? I think it is in a couple of different ways. Number 1 - God used non-Israelites to acknowledge his Son, the true king. These Gentile Magi affirmed what many Jews would reject. As the Gospel of John points out, Jesus came to his own, but his own did not receive him. The worship by the Magi is a tremendous thing. It affirmed what the Scriptures in the Old Testament had been saying all along. That through the offspring of Abraham, through the seed of David, all nations would be blessed. It is truly an amazing affirmation of the Gospel call to all tribes, tongues, and nations. Number 2 – the second thing that is tremendous is that they were led by God. God had turned the hearts of these men to him and they followed him. They followed his star. Even with all the temptations for pride that comes with knowledge and wisdom, these men humbled themselves to worship the true king. Go back to verse 10, again. They rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. Again, this was before they fell down and worshiped. In other words, they gave glory to God for leading them to Jesus. And then they worshiped him. Believer in Christ, you and I were not led by a star to Jesus. But it is no less supernatural how God turned your heart and mine and led us to him. Yes, let's worship the newborn king in this advent season. Yes, let's give praise to God in Christ who is Lord and Savior. Yes, let's declare the reason that Jesus came. He was born to die in our place and then resurrected so to overcome sin and death and the devil for us. So, yes, let's worship Jesus for all these reasons. But let's also rejoice like the Magi for God bring us to him. Were it not for God leading in our lives, we would still be in darkness. But God has led us to his Son, the King. Perhaps you've come today or you've been coming, but you have yet to fall down and worship. God has been leading you. After all, you are here. He's led you to Jesus. He's led you to hear his Word. But there's something preventing you from falling down in worship. Maybe skepticism. Maybe you say that you cannot intellectually get to a place of belief. But if there was any group back then who could argue against belief, it would have been the Magi. Wouldn't it not? The Magi were the intellectuals of the time. Yet, they submitted themselves to God and they humbled themselves before him. They both praised him for leading them to Jesus and then fell down and worshiped the true king. God has led you to this point. Let him now lead you into the house before the humble king. It takes faith, doesn't it? Was it not by faith that the Magi followed the star. It was. It also requires setting aside your unbelief and forsaking your own way. It takes humility to recognize all that you don't know compared to the wisdom and glory and power of God. And it takes falling down before him and submitting your whole life to him, just as the Magi. Will you let God lead you into his house and will you fall down as the Magi did to worship Christ? He is, as 1 Corinthians says, the power of God and the wisdom and of God. He is worthy to be worshiped. What an amazing testimony in these verses… of God at work leading and affirming that he himself has come to us. May we each praise God for leading us as he did the Magi. And as they also did, may we each humbly fall down before the king of kings, for who he is… and for what he has done for us so that we may worship him. Amen

King Herod the Great of Judea died in 4 B.C. in Jericho, succumbing to a gruesome, mysterious illness. An enormous funeral procession carried his body on a golden bier to the edge of the Judaean desert, where an elaborate resting place in his beloved Herodium awaited him. Paulogia podcast available at https://amzn.to/3Tg2Eno Herod the Great books available at https://amzn.to/3T5iKyw ENJOY Ad-Free content, Bonus episodes, and Extra materials when joining our growing community on https://patreon.com/markvinet SUPPORT this channel by purchasing any product on Amazon using this FREE entry LINK https://amzn.to/3POlrUD (Amazon gives us credit at NO extra charge to you). Mark Vinet's HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA podcast: www.parthenonpodcast.com/history-of-north-america Mark's TIMELINE Video channel: https://youtube.com/c/TIMELINE_MarkVinet Website: https://markvinet.com/podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mark.vinet.9 Twitter: https://twitter.com/HistoricalJesu Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/denarynovels Mark's books: https://amzn.to/3k8qrGM Audio credit: Why Christianity Framed Herod as a Baby Killer? (Paulogia podcast with Dr. Jodi Magness). All audio excerpts reproduced under the Fair Use (Fair Dealings) Legal Doctrine for purposes such as criticism, comment, teaching, education, scholarship, research and news reporting. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Did Herod really order the massacre of thousands of infants? Tristan Hughes revisits the scandalous and captivating story of the discovery of King Herod's Tomb.He's joined by Professor Jodi Magnus as they delve into the archaeological and literary significance of one of history's most infamous figures, King Herod. Together they explore the construction of Herodium, its symbolic connections to both Greek traditions and Judaic heritage and discuss the dark tales of Herod's rule, including his ruthless actions and the controversies surrounding his death.Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan, the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. You can take part in our listener survey here:https://uk.surveymonkey.com/r/6FFT7MKTheme music from Motion Array, all other music from Epidemic Sound

King Herod the Great of Judea died in 4 B.C. in Jericho, succumbing to a gruesome, mysterious illness. An enormous funeral procession carried his body on a golden bier to the edge of the Judaean desert, where an elaborate resting place in his beloved Herodium awaited him. Paulogia podcast available at https://amzn.to/3Tg2Eno Herod the Great books available at https://amzn.to/3T5iKyw  THANKS for the many wonderful comments, messages, ratings and reviews. All of them are regularly posted for your reading pleasure on https://patreon.com/markvinet where you can also get exclusive access to Bonus episodes, Ad-Free content, Extra materials, and an eBook Welcome Gift when joining our growing community on Patreon or Donate on PayPal at https://bit.ly/3cx9OOL and receive an eBook GIFT. SUPPORT this series by purchasing any product on Amazon using this FREE entry LINK https://amzn.to/3POlrUD (Amazon gives us credit at no extra charge to you). It costs you nothing to shop using this FREE store entry link and by doing so encourages & helps us create more quality content. Thanks! Mark Vinet's HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA podcast: www.parthenonpodcast.com/history-of-north-america                                      Mark's TIMELINE video channel: https://youtube.com/c/TIMELINE_MarkVinet Website: https://markvinet.com/podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/denarynovels  Twitter: https://twitter.com/HistoricalJesu   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mark.vinet.9  YouTube Podcast Playlist: https://www.bit.ly/34tBizu  TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@historyofnorthamerica  Books: https://amzn.to/3k8qrGM  Linktree: https://linktr.ee/WadeOrganization                                                      Credit: Why Christianity Framed Herod as a Baby Killer? (Paulogia podcast with Dr. Jodi Magness). All audio excerpts reproduced under the Fair Use (Fair Dealings) Legal Doctrine for purposes such as criticism, comment, teaching, education, scholarship, research and news reporting.                               See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At the Herodium. Thank you so much for listening! Please leave a 5 star review, share and subscribe!

Herod the (Not-So) Great was known for more than just being the bad guy at the beginning of the Gospel of Matthew. During the Second Temple era, he was also known for having expensive tastes, and having a great interior designer! In this episode, Heather and Jonathan look at Herod's building projects. The Herodium, the Temple, the Fortress of Masada, and Caesarea. Join us as we dive into the wonders of the cultural background of the New Testament era! P.S. I (Jonathan) mixed up my notes for this episode; we had intended to cover Caesarea (Maritima), but I ended up covering Caesarea Philippi. While Caesarea Philippi did belong to Herod the Great as a gift from Augustus (and Herod did construct a white marble temple there in dedication to Augustus), this is not to be confused with Caesarea, which Herod the Great built at the end of the first century BCE. Join us at www.firstcenturyyouthministry.comBecome part of our growing Facebook community Join our "closed" group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/firstcenturyouthministryLike our fan page! https://www.facebook.com/FirstCenturyYouthMin

Esau and the Edomites is an often overlooked topic in many churches. The question arises, if evil is associated with Esau, when did this hatred end and when did God change his mind to love Esau as much as Jacob? The Bible provides insight into this subject. Isaac prayed to the Lord for his wife who was barren and the Lord answered his prayers. Rebecca, his wife, gave birth to twins who struggled in her womb before birth. The Lord told Rebecca that two nations were in her womb and one would be stronger than the other, with the greater serving the younger. According to the Book of Jasher, Esau was deceitful from birth while Jacob was perfect and wise. Isaac loved Esau for eating his venison, but Rebecca loved Jacob. In Genesis 25, Jacob offered Esau bread and lentil pottage, and when Esau ate it, he despised his birthright. Jesus mentions that Esau fled from Nimrod due to exhaustion from fighting and fleeing. Esau was 40 years old when he married Judith, the daughter of Bride. Isaac blessed Jacob and charged him not to take a wife from the daughters of Canaan. Esau cried bitterly when he saw Isaac bless Jacob and send him away. The Bible mentions a conflict between Isaac and Jacob in Genesis 33. In Exodus 17, there was a war between Israel and Al-Malik, descendants of Esau. The Lord told Moses to write a memorial of this in a book and to declare it to Joshua. The Edomites did not accommodate the Israelites, leading God to hold it against them for generations. In 2 Samuel 8, David had a close companion who turned on him, typical of Edomites who deceitfully gained high positions next to the king. In John 13:18, Jesus spoke of his betrayal and death, referring to Judas Iscariot. Jesus used the same term as David when referring to his betrayal. In Matthew 21:38, Jesus gives the parable of the householder concerning the vineyard of the Lord. The husband sent his son, who the husbandmen wanted to kill to seize his inheritance. In John 8:38, Jesus argued with the Pharisees and Sadducees, saying they sought to kill him because his word had no place in them. Jesus revealed they were of their father the Devil. When Jesus was born, Herod, a descendant of the Herodium who had converted to Judaism, was on the throne and tried to kill Jesus. When Jesus confronted the Herodian scribes and Pharisees, he was dealing with Edomites who betrayed him. In Psalm 83, Edomites are described as warmongers and God has declared war against them. They are Confederate against the tabernacles of Edam and the Israelites of Moab, Gebal, Ammon, and Philistines.

Each Christmas season, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and others across the world, turn their thoughts to the town of Bethlehem and the traditional interpretation of the Nativity. This episode of the Church News podcast features Dr. Matthew Grey, a professor of ancient scripture at Brigham Young University. He shares historical insights and biblical context on the village of Bethlehem, the archaeology and practices of Jewish daily life, and the religious and political atmosphere that existed in this area at the time of the Savior's birth.  The Church News Podcast is a weekly podcast that invites listeners to make a journey of connection with members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints across the globe. Host Sarah Jane Weaver, reporter and editor for The Church News for a quarter-century, shares a unique view of the stories, events, and most important people who form this international faith. With each episode, listeners are asked to embark on a journey to learn from one another and ponder, “What do I know now?” because of the experience. Produced by KellieAnn Halvorsen.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

To all our "Walk With God" global listeners in 33 nations on six continents – as well as patrons & friends of The Himmelreich Memorial Library, and our many Susquehanna Valley Presbyterian friends... We're TAKING A BRIEF BREAK DURING THIS MONTH OF June, while an exciting career move has us relocating from San Antonio, Texas to Ohio (... a little more on that later on an upcoming podcast)!  MOST IMPORTANT, we're preparing for our upcoming "Walk With God Tour Of Israel" – and you and all our friends and listeners are invited! There are countless reasons to join us on our "Walk With God" Bible Tour of The Holy Land this November 2022. That's why we invite you to join us on our spectacular Bible Tour of Israel – exclusively sponsored by The Himmelreich Memorial Library and The Awakening Worldwide. Our tour brings the Bible into living color as you walk where Jesus walked! You'll sail the Sea of Galilee – in a replica boat from Biblical times. And you'll experience the very wilderness where Jesus was tempted by Satan. EVEN THE OLD TESTAMENT WILL COME ALIVE AS WE VISIT: The home city of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The battlefield where David defeated Goliath. And the caves where David hid in exile. You'll stand where Gideon chose his 300 men for battle. And visit historic Jericho.  Best of all, you'll personally visit many locations where Jesus himself walked! Mount Arbel's stunning vista of the Sea of Galilee. And many sites of Jesus' public ministry: Capernaum, where Jesus preached, and the Mount of Beatitudes.   You'll stand where Peter proclaimed: “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And take in the view of Paul's route to Damascus along the Golan Heights. You'll be an eye-witness to the sites of Jesus' final week. Walk in His footsteps down Palm Sunday Road. Visit The Upper Room where Jesus dedicated The Last Supper – and more! The Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus prayed the night he was betrayed...the Via Dolorosa “way of the cross” leading to the site of Jesus' crucifixion...The Garden Tomb & the Mount of Olives where Jesus ascended to heaven.  Along the way, you'll also visit The Herodium, the fortress built by Herod the Great...the “Wailing” Wall...the Israel Museum, home of Israel's greatest archaeological treasures...City of David excavations...overlook the original site of King David's capital...and walk the winding streets within the Old City of Jerusalem city walls. AND THAT'S NOT ALL! You'll enjoy a unique opportunity to be baptized or re-dedicated in the Jordan River. And take part in a Sacred Communion service. You'll visit ancient Roman ruins. Masada. Megiddo. The Dead Sea. The Qumran Desert Caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered...and so much more!   The Bible comes to life into living color when you "Walk Where Jesus Walked!" Your own Christian walk will never be the same.  Invite a friend! Treat a child or grandchild! Then join us! Get all the details: http://theawakeningworldwide.com/ (TheAwakeningWorldwide.com) and the links below. Thanks for listening! Walt & Brenda TOUR DATES: November 8-19, 2022  GET ALL THE DETAILS HERE: (https://www.morningstartours.com/wbm1318/ (click here))  YOU MAY REGISTER HERE: (https://www.morningstartours.com/wbm1318/ (click here)) We invite you to share  your own comments and questions.  Walk.With.God.WBK@gmail.com We love hearing from you! 

Thanks largely to his feature in the Gospel of Matthew, King Herod ‘the Great' of Judaea is one of the infamous figures from the whole of history. So what do we know about this ancient near eastern ruler, who in his lifetime had contacts with a series of ‘goliath' figures from the ancient Mediterranean World: from Caesar to Cleopatra and from Marc Antony to Augustus. To talk about King Herod, with a particular focus on the material and meaning of his monumental tomb at Herodium, Tristan was re-joined by Holy Land archaeologist Dr Jodi Magness. A wonderful speaker, Jodi has previously been on the podcast to talk all about the Siege of Masada and Jewish burial at the time of Jesus.Please vote for us! Dan Snow's History Hit has been nominated for a Podbible award in the 'informative' category: https://bit.ly/3pykkdsIf you'd like to learn more, we have hundreds of history documentaries, ad-free podcasts and audiobooks at History Hit - subscribe today! To download the History Hit app please go to the Android or Apple store. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Thanks largely to his feature in the Gospel of Matthew, King Herod ‘the Great' of Judaea is one of the infamous figures from the whole of history. So what do we know about this ancient near eastern ruler, who in his lifetime had contacts with a series of ‘goliath' figures from the ancient Mediterranean World: from Caesar to Cleopatra and from Marc Antony to Augustus. To talk about King Herod, with a particular focus on the material and meaning of his monumental tomb at Herodium, Tristan was re-joined by Holy Land archaeologist Dr Jodi Magness. A wonderful speaker, Jodi has previously been on the podcast to talk all about the Siege of Masada and Jewish burial at the time of Jesus.Please vote for us! Dan Snow's History Hit has been nominated for a Podbible award in the 'informative' category: https://bit.ly/3pykkdsIf you'd like to learn more, we have hundreds of history documentaries, ad-free podcasts and audiobooks at History Hit - subscribe today! To download the History Hit app please go to the Android or Apple store. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Thanks largely to his feature in the Gospel of Matthew, King Herod ‘the Great' of Judaea is one of the infamous figures from the whole of history. So what do we know about this ancient near eastern ruler, who in his lifetime had contacts with a series of ‘goliath' figures from the ancient Mediterranean World: from Caesar to Cleopatra and from Marc Antony to Augustus. To talk about King Herod, with a particular focus on the material and meaning of his monumental tomb at Herodium, Tristan was re-joined by Holy Land archaeologist Dr Jodi Magness. A wonderful speaker, Jodi has previously been on the podcast to talk all about the Siege of Masada and Jewish burial at the time of Jesus.If you're enjoying this podcast and looking for more fascinating Medieval content then subscribe to our Medieval Monday newsletter here.If you'd like to learn more, we have hundreds of history documentaries, ad free podcasts and audiobooks at History Hit.To download, go to Android or Apple store See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Since about 1962 the Herodium complex has been gradually excavated. From theatres, a synagogue, a bathhouse, towers, and a garden, fascinating things have been uncovered to shed light on this area. Even Pilate's ring was discovered there! God bless you and thank you for listening! Please join us again tomorrow!

A ring, either worn by Pontius Pilate or one of his administrators, was found at the Herodium in Israel. What a find! God bless you and thank you for listening! Join us again tomorrow!

This is episode 28 of The Truth Tank.   Join us in another instalment of the Epic Story of King Herod, The Great. We will be looking further into Herod's building projects, focusing on civil projects such as the Water Channel and The Pilgrim Road, which provided the city with much more than water drainage.    Followed by an in depth study into Two of the most Mysterious Structures in Ancient Juhdea, “The Vanishing Amphitheater” and “Theatre of Jerusalem”. Many questions circulate around these structures, with many people questioning the structures existence and others suggesting they were not permanent build structures.    Finishing the Episode, with a look at another one of Herod's Masterpieces “Herodium”, the palace fort which sits on top of a man made hill. What conclusions will you come up with?    https://thetruthtank.podbean.com https://www.facebook.com/ThetruthTank/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrhX1ZqvZx_xM59bk-tRa6Q  

The Old Testament ends with a final list of complaints and the hope of the faithful remnant, and God goes silent for 400 years.  What happened during those 400 years? Scott deal with this a bit today. Plus, Scott makes himself at home at the Herodium. Join us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. Please consider a tax-deductible gift at RadioChurch.org. Thank you for listening to the Cultivating Ethos Show with Pastor Scott Furrow.

In this episode of Keeping it Israel, Jeff interviews Israeli tour guide, Isaac Karasenti who updates us with how COVID has impacted and continues to impact tourism in Israel. As a result of the pandemic, Isaac has been out of work for a while, yet he talks about how archaeology in Israel has flourished, resulting in many exciting new discoveries that bring the Bible to life: In Caesarea Philippi, a Byzantine Church has been unearthed… a staircase, frescos and an exciting inscription have been discovered at Herodium… and in Gath, home of the Philistine Giant Goliath, excavations have revealed even more of the powerful city… and Ziklag – the ancient city mentioned in the Bible – has now been discovered! Isaac talks about the weekly, solitary tours he takes around his ancestral homeland; he is shocked by the closed and empty holy places in Israel – sites that are normally flooded with tourists. But there is hope: Israel is slowly opening up its borders to travellers and there is no doubt that we will all soon be able to visit the Land of the Bible once again! Related Links:www.firstcenturyfoundations.comFirst Century Foundations is a Charity that supports ministries in Jerusalem and many other parts of the country of Israel. Our mission is to turn hearts around the world toward the land, people and God of Israel. Please consider donating here.Support the show (http://www.firstcenturyfoundations.com/donate/)

A byword for tenacity and courage, the famous last stand has studded history with legendary exploits that define conflict and empire.  From Thermopylae to the Alamo, from Custer’s last stand to Okinawa, they represent individual heroism and sometimes crass military miscalculation.  The result is always the same, the wiping out of a small group of die-hard defenders.The odds might be crazy, and catastrophe might ensue, yet as the explosion at the British Army magazine near Delhi in 1857 proved, the consequences can reverberate down the years.  So, whether its FUBAR or SNAFU, or just desperate men fighting like ‘rats in a sack’ to quote a senior British Officer after Rorke’s Drift, we remember many of them.  And whether for PR purposes or to deflect attention from wider disasters, they do not diminish the bravery of those involved.So it GoesTom Assheton & James Jackson Ref.Thomas Babington Macaulay, Horatius, Lays of Ancient Rome See also:YouTube: BloodyViolentHistoryhttps://www.instagram.com/bloodyviolenthistory/https://www.jamesjacksonbooks.comhttps://www.tomtom.co.uk If you enjoy the podcast, would you please leave a short review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes, Spotify or Google Podcast App? It takes less than 60 seconds, and it really helps to spread the word See https://simplecast.com/privacy/ for privacy information 

Herod the Great is one of the more despised figures in history. He, like most of us, was a complex individual. He seems to have been given to megalomania and paranoia. There is much archaeological proof of his existence. We look at that today. God bless you!!

SUMMARY:The world has a specific way of operating and it is the same as it was in Jesus’s day. In this episode, Robby and Chris compare Herod’s kingdom to Jesus’s Kingdom and explain how different they are. TIME STAMPS: 3:23 (Herod’s Kingdom) 7:16 (Herod’s getaway) 9:06 (Herodium) 11:20 (Jesus tells the disciples to move a mountain) 12:40 (A clash of Kingdoms) 13:40 (Jesus’s Kingdom) LINKS: Resources for Long Hollow Group Leaders Click here to receive Replicate’s discipleship resources for your home, group, and church If you are a church leader, join our Replicate Network at ReplicateNetwork.com

THE HERODIANSIntroductionØ Related Scriptures:• Herod the Great (73 B.C. – 4 B.C.) - Matthew 2:16-17• Herod Archelaus (23 B.C. – 18 A.D.) – Matthew 2:22• Herod Antipas (Before 20 B.C. – 39 A.D.) – Mark 6:17-29; Matthew 14:1-12• Herod Philip (27 B.C. – 34 A.D.) – Luke 3:1• Herod Agrippa I (12 B.C. – 44 A.D.) – Acts 12:21-23• Herod Agrippa II (27 A.D. – 100 A.D.) – Acts 26:28-29• The name Herod is mentioned nearly 50 times in the New Testament, but Scripture is not speaking of just one man.• Like the Pharisees and Sadducees, the Herodian family receives negative treatment in the New Testament.• They submitted to Herod, and to Rome, for political convenience.Herod the Great• He was ruler of Judea despite being Idumean descent (from Edom). The fact that he was a non-Jew, along with his notably cruel manner of ruling, made him largely distrusted and resented by the Jewish people.• Responsible for the slaughter of the innocents (Matthew 2:16-17).• Ironically, he was never called “the Great” in antiquity. This became a later designation because of his extensive building campaigns and strong foreign policy.• His accomplishments were funded through burdensome taxes which contributed greatly to the Jews disliking of tax collectors.Tumultuous Times• In 44, Caesar is assassinated, and the following year, the second triumvirate of Antony, Octavian (later called Augustus), and Lepidus ascends.• In 32, Antony and Octavian separate, and in 31, at the Battle of Actium, Octavian conquers his rival. Herod, who had originally sided with Antony, accompanies Octavian from Egypt, and is restored to governmental good graces.His Building Projects• Herod sponsored the rebuilding of the Jerusalem Temple and the patriarchs’ tomb in Hebron.• He built Caesarea Maritima; Sebaste (ancient Samaria); and fortresses, including Masada, Machaerus, and the Herodium.• Rabbinic sources suggest that the Pharisees were interested in extending the sanctity of the Temple to the home.His Family• Herod married ten times, participated in several divorces, and executed many sons, a wife, numerous in-laws, and even more political rivals.• In 38, after a five-year engagement, Herod marries the Hasmonean princess Mariamme.• Eventually, Herod will kill his sons by Mariamme, his mother-in-law, and Mariamme herself.His Death• Herod died in agony from renal failure? syphilis? and was buried, ancient sources suggest, in Herodium, near Bethlehem. His tomb has not yet been discovered.• Herod the Great, having executed most of his sons, divides his kingdom among Philip, Antipas, and Archelaus.Herod Archelaus• As an ethnarch (a non-King in charge of an ethnic group in a region) Archelaus was in charge of Judea, Samaria, and Idumea. However, Archelaus did not remain in power for long. He only held his post from 4 B.C. until being deposed in A.D.6, when the Jews requested that Caesar Augustus replace him.• Even so, Archelaus did influence the history of the New Testament. It was fear about his reign in Judea that prompted Joseph, Mary, and Jesus to live in Galilee rather than in Judea (Matthew 2:22).Herod Antipas• Herod Antipas became the tetrarch of Galilee and Perea from 4 B.C. to A.D. 39, meaning he was one of four appointed regional rulers. He is seen in the New Testament to have been rebuked by John the Baptist for taking the wife of his half-brother, Philip (Mark 6:17-20).• Antipas had John beheaded to fulfill an oath sworn to his daughter (Mark 6:20-29) and later worries that Jesus is John the Baptist back from the dead (Matthew 14:1-12).Herod Agrippa I• Agrippa sought to maintain good standing with the Jewish people, ultimately gaining the respect of both the Sadducees and Pharisees. Agrippa attempted to crack down on messianic movements (Acts 12:1-2).• In 44, he dies suddenly in Caesarea (Acts 12:22-23).Herod Agrippa II• Agrippa II was rumored to have had an incestuous relationship with his sister Berenice.• According to Acts 25:13–26:32, at Festus’s request, Agrippa II and Berenice hear Paul at Caesarea. He found no fault in Paul worthy of imprisonment and remarked that he could have been let go if Paul had not appealed to make his case before Caesar.The Herodians• Influential persons who were partisans of the Herodian dynasty. They are mentioned three times in the NT (Mark 3:6; Matt. 22:16).• They would be theologically and politically close to the Sadducees.

6 January 2019 The Epiphany of the Lord Matthew 2:1-12 + Homily 16 Minutes 24 Seconds Link to today's Readings http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/010619.cfm (New American Bible, Revised Edition) From the parish bulletin:    Researching the Birth Narrative of our Lord on the computer can be a source of unintentionally mordant humor. On one of the prominent encyclopedia sites, we are told in the entry for King Herod that “most scholars agree” that he was entirely capable of massacring the Holy Innocents in Bethlehem. But the same source, under the entry for Holy Innocents, says “most scholars agree” that the account was a myth, since no one would do such a thing.    The emperor Augustus, who was content to have Herod as a client ruler, punned in Greek that he would rather be Herod’s pig (“hys”) than be his son (“huios”). Herod had murdered three of his sons along with one of his wives and a brother-in-law, not to mention three hundred military officers who were abrasive to his paranoia, even though he had 2,000 bodyguards from as far away as what now are France and Germany. Augustus was appalled by the crassness of Herod, rather as the Nazis, for all their malevolence, were taken aback by the sadism of the Soviets in the Katyn Forest and the insouciant viciousness of the Vichy leaders.    To this day, remnant stones and bulwarks testify to the large-scale engineering wonders with which Herod impressed and intimidated the populace: the extension of the Second Temple, the Herodium and Masada fortresses, the port town of Caesarea Maritima, which was enabled by his development of hydraulic cement, and his shipbuilding industry made possible by the asphalt he dredged from the Dead Sea.    The Wise Men from the East, whatever else they were (and we do not know precisely from where they came or how many they were) were good psychologists. They quickly seized upon the paranoia of Herod and outwitted him, provoking the massacre of male infants two years old and under. The historians Josephus and Nicholas of Damascus do not record that slaughter because the victims were babies, and for Roman chroniclers, babies were not as important as adults. Contrary to the inspired Jewish religion, the dominant protocols of the Western world permitted the killing of infants by the paterfamilias for any reason, including inconvenience, deformity and birth control. In Sparta, only a child strong enough for development into soldiery had a right to life.    By an indult of Providence, and in contradiction to many “virtue-signaling” cynics, our current Executive branch of government has become the most pro-life since Roe v. Wade, but that is a fragile assurance and one with no promise of permanence. There are vastly more infanticides now than in Herodian Bethlehem. If our civilization lasts two thousand years more, there may be a “majority of scholars” who will say that in 2019 there were people capable of such iniquity, and another “majority of scholars” who will insist that people back in 2019 could never have been so cruel.

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings finish looking at the story of the birth of Jesus, juxtaposing two kings and the kingdoms that they bring.A Gospel of Two Kingdoms Presentation (PDF)Herod the Great — WikipediaMasada — WikipediaHerodium — WikipediaCaesar’s Comet — Wikipedia

About three miles southeast of Bethlehem, King Herod built a fabulous palace in top of a human-made hill. He called it the Herodium after himself. King Jesus was born down below in Bethlehem.

After Titus dismantled Jerusalem, gathered its spoils, and dispersed its captives, he left Judea to join his father in Rome. He commissioned Bassus and Silva to capture the three remaining rebel fortresses of Herodium, Macherus, and Masada. The Roman soldiers overturned every stone of the temple building in order to get the gold and silver that had melted into the cracks, unwittingly fulfilling Jesus' prophecy that there would not be left one stone upon another (Matt 24:2). The temple vessels and furnishings were taken to Rome by Titus. Herodium and Macherus offered little resistance, but Masada fought to the bitter end. We use evidence from archaeology, Josephus, Hegesippus, and Yosippon to support the idea that the Eleazar in command of Masada was the same Eleazar b. Ananias who had started the war and held the temple during most of the war. This same evidence suggests that Eleazar was the Man of Lawlessness that Apostle Paul referred to in his second letter to the Thessalonians. Those three historians talk about how Eleazar and his forces on Masada were ultimately defeated by the breath of the Lord's mouth and forced to be slain. If you wish to have the free PDF written lesson outline for this podcast, simply email us to request it (preterist1@preterist.org). Be sure to mention the date of this podcast when you contact us.Support the show (https://www.preterist.org/donate/credit-card-donations/)

After Nero heard about the failure of Cestius Gallus to crush the Jewish rebellion, he dispatched his most able general Vespasian to do it right this time. Over the winter of 66-67, Vespasian and Titus assembled three legions and hordes of other auxiliaries and mercenaries to launch the attack in the Spring of AD 67. Vespasian was successful in destroying all the fortresses of all areas outside of Jerusalem (except for Herodium, Machaerus, and Masada). When he was ready to begin the assault on Jerusalem, he received the news that Nero died. The war effort was put on hold until affairs in Rome could be restabilized. If you wish to have the free PDF written lesson outline for this podcast, simply email us to request it (preterist1@preterist.org). Be sure to mention the date of this podcast when you email us.Support the show (https://www.preterist.org/donate/credit-card-donations/)