WHO IS IN CONTROL?

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Matthew 14:4,6,9-11

John had been telling Herod, “It is against God’s law for you to marry her.”

But at a birthday party for Herod, Herodias’s daughter performed a dance that greatly pleased him,

Then the king regretted what he had said; but because of the vow he had made in front of his guests, he issued the necessary orders.

So John was beheaded in the prison,and his head was brought on a tray and given to the girl, who took it to her mother.


When we read Matthew 14:1-12, we hear a bitter account of how John the Baptist died. 


Two things come to mind, firstly, was he sent to speak to Herod about his adulterous act of marrying his brother's wife? I DO NOT KNOW. For prophets of old do not just act on their own, they follow the Lord's instructions. Herod was pagan, I believe and had no obligation of keeping Jewish laws. 


Lesson: Lord may I never go where you do not send me. 


However, unlike what some people think today, when they want the privileges of the prophets of old, they did not own their lives, no, they did not enjoy the benefit of living like others did. They were sold to the Lord. 1Kings 20:35-43.


Thank God for the revelation of the Son, Christ Jesus, we would have never really known the Father. 


Secondly, we see the type of decisions that can be made when men are not sober. 


Now, wait a minute, was it about the birthday celebration, NO, for some sects have termed birthday celebration as evil because of this record. Yes, it is true that this is the only record of birthday celebration in scriptures and evil came out of it, but, wait, it could have been any other party. 


Please listen, some doctrines are entirely man-made they have no express instruction from the Lord. They are either human sentiment, a mix of culture or paganism or just a misinterpretation of scriptures. 


Some of these errors have been so indoctrinated to some sects that it looks to them as blasphemy when they are corrected. 


Hello, our standard should be God's Word. 


So, is this the first time a king has promised an open cheque to someone, no, let's recall that King Ahasuerus made that type of promise to Queen Esther, as wine flowed:


Esther 5:6

And while they were drinking wine, the king said to Esther, “Now tell me what you really want. What is your request? I will give it to you, even if it is half the kingdom!”


So the problem was not the birthday, but the party where alcoholic drinks were flowing. For immediately Herod heard the request, scriptures records that he regretted it, but to keep face he had to oblige her:


Matthew 14:7-9

so he promised with a vow to give her anything she wanted.

At her mother’s urging, the girl said, “I want the head of John the Baptist on a tray!”

Then the king regretted what he had said; but because of the vow he had made in front of his guests, he issued the necessary orders.


Good leaders do not make decisions or make promises at the spur of the moment, neither under the influence of substances such as alcohol, they should not give blank cheques, for their error could make them loose the kingdom itself or sell their people into slavery. 


Proverbs 31:4-7

It is not for kings, O Lemuel, to guzzle wine. Rulers should not crave alcohol.

For if they drink, they may forget the law and not give justice to the oppressed.

Alcohol is for the dying, and wine for those in bitter distress.

Let them drink to forget their poverty and remember their troubles no more.


Many may misinterpret this scriptures, they ought not to, for self control is an important virtue of royalty. 


Listen, even in sober mood, we as humans do make mistakes, talk less of when one is not sober. REGRET FOLLOWS! 


Ephesians 5:18

Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit,


Help us Good Lord. 


He calls us blessed. 


Love

@the watcher

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