Herod’s family tree was full of evil. Unfortunately, none of them broke the evil they were known for. Though a royal family, each succeeding king Herod made history of perpetrating evil and acting against God and His people. God gave them a long rope, until the Herod in the time of Peter overstepped his bounds.
Now, let’s look at the Herod’s history of wickedness. A king Herod ordered and supervised the killing of male children when he heard about the birth of Jesus. In an attempt to protect his throne thousands of male children were killed by the king’s decree. Later on, another Herod, grandson of the former orchestrated and supervised that the John the Baptist be beheaded, thus summarily and untimely ending John the Baptist’s glorious ministry. It happened by Herod’s flat.
During the days of the apostles, another King Herod was infuriated by the apostles’ exploits and harvest of souls. He arrested and killed James. When no one challenged him, he went after Peter, arrested and imprisoned him. The church then began to pray for Peter. God intervened and sent His angel to release Peter from Herod’s prison and from untimely death. The Bible says, “Touch not my anointed and do my prophet no harm.” God soon visited Herod with judgment. One day, some people praised King Herod so highly and Herod ascribed the glory due to God to himself. God did not punish those who praised Herod and honored him to God, but He punished Herod himself for ascribing the glory to himself. An angel of the Lord slapped King Herod and worms ate him up. What a sordid and terrible end.
Herod did not deal with the evil pattern he inherited from his ancestors. Abraham lied, Isaac did too. Jacob lied and deceived his father. His sons too lied to him concerning Joseph. Were your ancestors polygamists, idolaters, occultists, alcoholics or murderers? Do not continue in them. You need to cry to God for mercy; repent, break free from evil family pattern today and begin to live a godly life. Evil family pattern must die!
