The Human Being…

For the sake of power, influence, or mere mischief, humans can go to lengths to destroy each other. To gain an advantage, people can lie, kill, slander, plot evil, and do the unimaginable. The human being is the most cruel, heartless, and mysterious of all creatures. Of all species, it is only humans that plan and go to every length to destroy each other: even to annihilate a whole race or generation.

Herod, the king of Judaea, was a man of war and a power-drunk despot. For decades, He fought against his own brethren, children, and other leaders to secure total authority over all of Judaea, being assisted by the Romans under Pompey the Great, and later, by Julius and Augustus Caesar.

So determined was he to secure power for himself that he quickly killed any contestants to the throne. Indeed, he killed his own sons. Thus, when the wise men from the East came to Jerusalem to search for the “King of the Jews” he was very disturbed. He called the priests to interpret the prophecy and assayed to trick the wise men to show him this “King of the Jews”. When all failed, he did the unthinkable: he killed all male kids under 2 years!

Owing to his thirst for perpetual power, he liked listening to rumors. Hence, his servants, sister, and first son (Antipater) supplied him with so many rumors of their enemies just to get them killed. This created a reign of terror in the palace as suspects were quickly seized, tormented, interrogated, and killed.

For years, Herod’s Sister and Mum gossipped to him about his wife, owing to their hatred of her. They went as far as to insinuate that she was cheating on him. Finally, these rumors led him to kill his wife, Mariamne I, and his brother-in-law, on mere suspicion of adultery; a claim he later found out to be false.

Again, his first son, Antipater I, was so bent to secure the Kingdom for himself that he did everything to make his half-brothers look bad in the eyes of Herod. He paid large sums of money to imposters and friends to spread rumours that the two sons of Herod, Alexander and Antistobulus, were plotting to kill their Dad. He even managed to bribe Caesar’s wife, paid scribes to forge signatures, and write spurious letters, all to suggest that Herod’s other sons were plotting his death!

Yet, this same Antipater I, will go and plead with Herod for his brothers when Herod heard the same rumours he created. He made himself a saint and caring son, whilst painting the others dark. Herod finally believed these rumours and killed them. He later realised they were false and repented bitterly! Finally, Antipater I himself was also killed, after his evil intrigues were revealed.

Rumours destroyed Herod’s home. Everyone lived in fear around him. Hundreds died for nothing: you only have to be reported or be an enemy of someone. Herod died a miserable man, although he had so much power. Everyone feared him, but no one trusted or loved him. The story of Herod is the story of many, especially those in positions of power, wealth, and influence.

It even happens among friends and family. Idi Amin Dada, the dictator of Uganda, also killed his own wives, relatives, friends, and all forms of opposition, just to remain in power. Joseph Stalin, leader of the USSR after Lenin, is also on record to have killed more than a million people through executions, forced labour, deportation, and famine. Yet, all these dictators died, leaving their cherished power behind.

Beware of what you hear. Beware of tale bearers. Beware of friends, so-called. Beware of the human being! Beware of acting hastily without careful investigation…

“The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell…but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” (James 3:6-8).

From Herod to our time, these historical records show how wicked and intolerant humans have been toward one another. Our thirst for power and what we do with it shows our true state and nature. What makes a human being human? Is it the reading of books or the cultivation of the mind, is it the satisfaction of his basic needs or the acquisition of wealth, power, education, beauty, and wisdom? Indeed, unless the Spirit of God dwells in us and mold us into His image and likeness, imbuing the heart and mind with mercy, kindness, love, and a deep regard for life, we are worst off than animals.

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