“King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this … He was furious when he realized that the wise men had outwitted him” (Matthew 2:3, 13).
History tells us that Herod the Great was a powerful king with a knack for organizing and developing major projects throughout the Kingdom of Judea.
But he was a terrible listener.
Herod missed God’s invitation that came in the words of the wise men because he was only willing to listen through the filter of his own kingdom’s advancement. Disguised in political power, Herod was a coward, consumed by pride and fear of losing his position, leading to horrific and disgusting actions.
But God moved Herod out of the way.
God brought his salvation to the world even through Herod’s power and plotting, fulfilling a prophecy from 750 years prior: “When Israel was a child, I loved him, and I called my son out of Egypt” (Hosea 11:1).
When we listen well, we join the unstoppable work of advancing God’s Kingdom. When we listen through the filters of our preferences, we fall victim to the pride and fear that are no match for God’s power.
God will accomplish his good intentions for the world through good listeners and bad listeners. May we be good listeners.
Questions for reflection:
- How did Herod’s personal desires and fears influence his response to God’s message?
- When are you tempted to prioritize personal gain over God’s will?
- What are some of the ways we can know we’re listening for God’s will rather than our preferences?
- How can we practice aligning our preferences with God’s will?