Jonathan Goforth-The Muslim Samaritans

By Mary Vee
Year: December 1900

Jonathan Goforth-41 years old

Jonathan Goforth's Journal

My name is Jonathan Goforth. My wife, Rosalind and I are missionaries in China. 

The small group of missionaries that we have fled our Chinese missionary compound with have been under attack. We'd stopped at a village on the road and paid for a room. Seconds later villagers hurled rocks at us. They took their swords and guns and continued their attack.

One man gave us mercy and directed the crowd to loot our wagons. He whispered to me to get my family away while the people were distracted.

We tried. I called for Rosalind to climb down from the cart and bring the children. I was of no help to her. I could barely walk. My arm had been run through with a sword, my head was bleeding from rocks, my leg may have been broken. 

The crowd went crazy yanking our belongings off the cart. Rosalind hurried the children to catch up with me. The crowd saw us leave and followed. They threw more rocks. I wanted to move faster but couldn't. Rosalind pushed the baby into my arms, and I held him close to me. She faced the crowd and shouted at them in Chinese to kill her but spare the children, they had done nothing wrong.

That was the last I saw. I held the baby close to me to protect him as I collapsed against the ground. Faintly, in the distance a few loud voices from the crowd said they'd killed the man. They cheered. Their voices faded, so I assumed they walked away.

Rosalind shook my good arm and shouted at me to get up. "There is a village just beyond the hill. Maybe someone from there will take mercy on us and help you." She tugged on my arm. "Get up, Jonathan."

I forced myself to stand. She pulled my good arm over her shoulder to support my weight. We struggled to the next village. But when I saw another mob with stones I lost my strength and fell to the ground again. All I heard was Rosalind's sobs and my little ones touching my face asking me to wake up.

Some time later, I have no idea how long I slept. But some time later I opened my eyes and found myself in a small brick room. There was hay on the floor. It looked like a jail cell. Rosalind spoke to me. "How are you, Jonathan?"

I tried to speak but only raspy sounds eked out. "What happened?"

"Lay still. A man helped to pack your wounds." 

I blinked. Her face came into focus. She had bruises, blood on her, and her face was swollen. "Are you all right? Where are the children. What about Ruth?"

"Shh. You need to rest. Ruth isn't with us yet. When you fell, people from the next village came to see what the problem was. The women asked the men to help us to safety. They locked us inside here for our safety and have passed food and water through that window up there."

I thought of the others and the carts. "Do you know if any of the other missionaries escaped?"

"No." 

The rest of that day and night, Rosalind and I helped each other, washing our wounds and caring for our children. We prayed for the other missionaries that God would protect them.

The next day the door opened. My friend, Mr. McKenzie found us. "Jonathan! You're alive!" He came to the place where I lay. 

"Have you found anyone else?" I asked.

"Yes, Jonathan. Everyone is alive. Dr. Leslie is seriously injured, but he will mend in time. I was sent to find you so we could continue on our journey."

He helped me stand. The movement tore open my wounds. We had to leave, though, if we expected to survive. We walked out of the hut. The villagers gathered around us. Not like an angry mob. Instead they held gifts for us, an old blanket to keep the children warm, a worn pair of shoes for Rosalind's bare feet.

I couldn't help but ask them, "Why are you helping us?"

One man said, "We couldn't face our God if we harmed you."

I was surprised but so grateful. I don't know what will happen during the rest of our journey. Will you pray for us that God will protect us until we can reach safety? We need to reach Shanghai as soon as possible.

There is more to this story. Come back next time.

Jonathan has many stories to share. Come back each Monday to find out what happened next.



Resources Used for This Series
Being, Janet, and Geoff Benge. Jonathan Goforth: An Open Door in China. Seattle. WA: YWAM Pub., 2001.Print
Doyle, G. Wright. Builders of the Chinese Church: Pioneer Protestant Missionaries and Chinese Church Leaders. Eugene Oregon: Pickwick Pub, 2015. Print.
Goforth, Jonathan, and Rosaline Goforth, Miracle Lives of China, London" Marshall, Morgan & Scott, 1931, Print.
Goforth, Jonathan. "By My Spirit" Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1942. Print
Goforth, Rosalind. Climbing; Memories of a Missionary's Wife. Chicago: Moody Pub, n.d. Print
Goforth, Rosalind, How I Know God Answers Prayers; The Personal Testimony of One Life-time, New York: Harper & Brothers, 1921. Print
Goforth, Rosalind. Jonathan Goforth. Minneapolis, MN: Bethan House, 1986. Print
Goforth, Rosalind, How God Answers Prayer: The Mighty Miracles of God from the Mission Field of Jonathan Goforth. USA: Revival, 2016. Print Original copyright not stated.
Jackson, Dave, and Neta Jackson. Mask of the Wolf Boy: Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House, 1999. Print.
McCleary, Walter. An Hour with Jonathan Goforth: A Biography. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1938. Print.
Meloche, Renee Taft., and Bryan Pollard. Jonathan Goforth: Never Give up. Seattle, WA: YWAM, 2004. Print.

.

Let Jonathan hear from you!

Leave a comment below.

We Found Jesus--in the Temple Talking with Rabbis. He Was Only a Boy.

By Mary Vee
Luke 2

From Joseph's Notes

My name is Joseph. My wife is Mary, and we have a son named Jesus who was given to us by God. We have other children too.

Last time, I told you about our trip to Jerusalem for the Passover and for Jesus celebration from boyhood to manhood. During this celebration Jesus was asked questions by the Rabbis and priests, as is typical of all boys. I mean, I had to go through these questions as well back when I was a boy. This was a test to see that our young men had learned what they should have from the Scriptures.

After the week of Passover, we packed our things and left Jerusalem with all our relatives to go back to Nazareth. The large group had walked a day when I thought about Jesus. Since he was a man now, he should be riding up with the men instead of back with the children. I went back to look for him and didn't see him. I asked Mary where he was. She said she thought Jesus was with me.

That's when we panicked.

The uncles, aunts, cousins and every other relative searched for Jesus. When he couldn't be found, Mary and I left our family and walked back to Jerusalem.

"Joseph," Mary said. "By the time we get there Jesus will have been on his own for two days. He must be hungry and thirsty. Where did he sleep?"

I didn't know the answers, but I had a peace. "God is watching him, Mary. We can only do our best."

That next night we arrived back in Jerusalem before the city gates closed. We searched everywhere we could think. "Mary, we need to sleep somewhere tonight and begin searching again tomorrow."

"Joseph, I can't sleep. Not until I know where he is."

"He won't be in the streets. Everyone has gone in their homes. There isn't anyone to ask. We'll search again tomorrow."

So we found a place to sleep. But neither of us slept very well. The next morning we ran to the temple hoping to find him there. Maybe the priests took pity on him and gave him food and a place to sleep. 

The temple grounds were very big. We asked every person we saw if they'd seen him. Finally we found him in the temple courts. He was sitting with a crowd of people around him. He was asked questions and he answered them, surprising those listening with his answers.

Mary ran to him. "Jesus! Jesus!" He looked up at her. "Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you."

Jesus stepped away from the crowd and walked closer to her. "Why were you searching for me?" he asked. "Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?"

In truth, I didn't understand what he meant by that. "Time to go home, son."

Jesus said his goodbyes to the priests and walked with us as I asked. As we journeyed, I asked him what he and the priests talked about. He told me their questions and his answers. I had no idea he knew so much about the Scriptures.

Once we arrived home, Mary told me she treasured the conversation and thought about the questions from the priests and Jesus' answers.

In the years that followed, Jesus continued to show us his respect. He worked hard and learned so much. Actually, I often wondered how he simply knew things. I've seen this child that God has given us grow from an infant to a young man and can witness that he grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.


Come back for the next story.

*********************************************************************************************

sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary

* Jewish History.org
*Jewish Virtual Library.org

My research in Israel.

We've Lost Jesus!

By Mary Vee
Luke 2

From Joseph's Notes

My name is Joseph. My wife is Mary, and we have a son named Jesus who was given to us by God. We have other children too.

Each year, I take my family and join our other relatives for the annual trip to Jerusalem to offer sacrifices at the Passover.

Jesus is twelve years old this time. It is the custom of the Jews to have a celebration for a boy turning into a man at his birthday. A ceremony is held for the family. We sing, eat, laugh, and celebrate the man who was a boy. Then, the boy must answer questions from the Rabbis. 

Between Mary's relatives and mine, our family has become quite large. We pack enough to last several days then meet our relatives for the long walk through the mountain passes toward Jerusalem. 

I've noticed that this is the week of the Passover Feast for you as well. How fitting that my story is being told at this very time! God be praised.

When we travel, the men go first. There are so many of us, we have plenty to talk about as we walk. There are a lot of political issues, ways to do this and ways to do that, all must be discussed over and over because I may think this way but my cousin thinks another. Actually, I think he is wrong and should listen to what I say.

The women ride with the children in the carts. I can hear them talking and laughing at times. These family times are so important to us.

Photo by Mary Vee A Bar Mitzvah
held at the top of Masada

When at last we reach Jerusalem, we go about the usual Feast requirements. We offer sacrifices, at the Temple, make our food, hold the ceremony for Jesus who was soon to be proclaimed a man. The week flies by before I realize it. And when the week ends, we pack to go home.

With all the family there, the children play with one another and ride with cousins. This is nothing new. I ride in the front with the other men, and Mary rides with the women and children. 

The day is about near to the end, and we've planned to camp. I start thinking that Jesus should be riding up front with the men. After all, he had his celebration. He no longer should be with the children. I pull away from my cousins, saying, "I'll be right back." I turn back to the wagon that Mary would have ridden in and ask for Jesus to come join me up with the men.

She looks at me like I've asked for some rare jewel. She says, "Because he is now a man, I thought he was with you already, Joseph. I haven't seen him."

"He isn't up with the men."

She holds her hands to her face. "Joseph, we need to search the caravan."  

I hurry to the front of the line and ask the men to stop. "Jesus is missing."

Each family searches the entire caravan. Jesus is nowhere to be found. I rush back to Mary.

She is frantic. "What should we do?"

"We have to go back to Jerusalem and find him," I say. "He'll be all right." This is one of those moments when I wish an angel would visit me and tell me what to do. But none do this time. I have to figure this one out and believe God will show me what to do.

Come back for the next story.

*********************************************************************************************

sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary

* Jewish History.org
*Jewish Virtual Library.org

My research in Israel.

Blood

By Mary Vee
Year: December 1900

Jonathan Goforth-41 years old

Jonathan Goforth's Journal

My name is Jonathan Goforth. My wife, Rosalind and I are missionaries in China. 

We had set up a strong compound in the northern sections of China and offered teaching to locals. Many men and women came daily. Some walked from far distances to hear the stories.

Unfortunately, a rebellion broke out in China called the Boxer Rebellion. The Chinese people banded together, searching for foreigners and rather than chasing them out of the country, they murdered them. So many foreigners didn't have a chance to leave.

We'd packed our belongings and set out for Shanghai. It would take several days walk to reach the city. After walking a few days, we found a village with an inn. We were tired and the women begged for us to rest.

We paid for the rooms. Then, before we could settle in, a crowd gathered and threw rocks at us. We hurried inside the inn. The owner wasn't happy to have the rocks hitting his inn. He changed his mind and asked us to leave. 

I tried to get the twelve people in our group together and to get out of the city, but no matter what I did, I was stopped by a storm of rocks.

Rosalind and the children had climbed onto the wagon. She held a pillow like a shield to protect the children the best she could.

A villager ran close to me and drew his sword. He stabbed my arm over and over. I shouted, "We only want to leave!" 

But the blood from my injuries only encouraged the mob. One picked up a large rock and threw it at the back of my neck. I tried to hold my balance. My legs wobbled. I didn't know what to do to save my family.

A horse reared and whinnied. The rider fell to the ground. The man rolled himself to a stand and drew his sword.

With anger burning in his eyes he rushed toward me. My legs collapsed. All I could see turned black.

I think I was knocked out for only a moment because when I opened my eyes, the horses front hoofs still flailed in the air, keeping attackers away from me.

I pushed myself up, and flopped back to the ground. I tried again to stand. A Chinese man came close to me, his sword drawn. He whispered, "Get you family out of here."

He wanted to help? I could barely think. My eyes struggled to focus. I looked up at the cart and called, "Rosalind, get the children and follow me. Now."

The mob, lead by the swordsman ran to the carts. They ripped our belongings out and overturned some of the other carts. "Hurry, Rosalind."


There is more to this story. Come back next time.

Jonathan has many stories to share. Come back each Monday to find out what happened next.



Resources Used for This Series
Being, Janet, and Geoff Benge. Jonathan Goforth: An Open Door in China. Seattle. WA: YWAM Pub., 2001.Print
Doyle, G. Wright. Builders of the Chinese Church: Pioneer Protestant Missionaries and Chinese Church Leaders. Eugene Oregon: Pickwick Pub, 2015. Print.
Goforth, Jonathan, and Rosaline Goforth, Miracle Lives of China, London" Marshall, Morgan & Scott, 1931, Print.
Goforth, Jonathan. "By My Spirit" Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1942. Print
Goforth, Rosalind. Climbing; Memories of a Missionary's Wife. Chicago: Moody Pub, n.d. Print
Goforth, Rosalind, How I Know God Answers Prayers; The Personal Testimony of One Life-time, New York: Harper & Brothers, 1921. Print
Goforth, Rosalind. Jonathan Goforth. Minneapolis, MN: Bethan House, 1986. Print
Goforth, Rosalind, How God Answers Prayer: The Mighty Miracles of God from the Mission Field of Jonathan Goforth. USA: Revival, 2016. Print Original copyright not stated.
Jackson, Dave, and Neta Jackson. Mask of the Wolf Boy: Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House, 1999. Print.
McCleary, Walter. An Hour with Jonathan Goforth: A Biography. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1938. Print.
Meloche, Renee Taft., and Bryan Pollard. Jonathan Goforth: Never Give up. Seattle, WA: YWAM, 2004. Print.

.

Let Jonathan hear from you!

Leave a comment below.

Nazareth: Tucked in the Hills and Far From the Lime Light

By Mary Vee
Matthew 2
Luke 2

From Matthew's Notes

My name is Joseph. My wife, Mary, and I have returned to Nazareth. This is home. This is where our family is. Hah, everyone was so happy to see little Jesus. I must admit, I'm pretty proud of him too.

I'm not a big city guy, that's why Nazareth is the perfect place to live. The town is tucked between to large hills, eh, you may call them mountains. It's not near a road well traveled. There are some Israelites who have never been here, and I can understand why. There is nothing but a community living their lives.

Photo by Mary Vee
Sepphori, Israel

As a carpenter, I need work which sometimes takes me out of my small town. There is a wealthy city called Sipphori on the hill. And I mean wealthy.

Photo by Mary Vee
Sepphori, Israel

My work has stretch beyond working with wood to other types of construction. On the floors, I've placed mosaic tiles. The decorative ones are usually placed in the sitting room where guests are entertained. Guests would sit on the floor around the edge and comment on the patterns and images in the tile after a meal. 



The people who live here, though want to please everyone. There goal is to get along with anyone, any politics, any religion. This has both good and bad. First, they never make a commitment. All they want is to do is have fun and live their lives without harm. 

Photo by Mary Vee
Sepphori, Israel

So, I could freely talk about the Almighty and practice my Jewish ways there and not be bothered. 

They also let the Greeks sacrifice pigs in temples to Zeus. Romans sacrifice as they want. Those who wish to worship trees or any other object. Many of the people living here were Jews who did not stay true to their faith. Some came here to impress the Romans and to gain power. 

Photo by Mary Vee
Sepphori, Israel

I bring my son Jesus to help me. He works along my side, building, crafting, setting, sanding, whatever is needed. In truth, seeing him with me makes the day go by quickly. I know God has an important plan for Jesus. He told me so. At least for now, Jesus is by my side.

Come back for the next story.

*********************************************************************************************

sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary

* Jewish History.org
*Jewish Virtual Library.org

My research in Israel.

We're Going Home to Nazareth!!

By Mary Vee
Matthew 2
Luke 2

From Matthew's Notes

My name is Joseph. My wife, Mary, and I are living in Egypt. This is not our native country, and I don't expect to live here much longer. Still, while we live here I have worked as a carpenter to feed my family. Little Jesus is learning the trade rather quickly. He is such a help.

We came to Egypt one night when I had an unexpected dream. Mary and I were still in Bethlehem. Some wise men from the east stopped in with the most incredible story. They spent the day with us. That same night, an angel spoke to me. The angel said Herod wanted to harm us and we should leave for Egypt right away. 

I woke Mary. She believed me and hurried to pack our few belongings. We left the city before sunrise.

The angel also told me we should stay in Egypt until we heard news again. I didn't know how long that would be, so we set up a home here and raised Jesus as a young one.

I went to bed one night and was surprised to see an angel in my dream. I mean, I knew one day the angel would speak to me again, I just didn't know when. The angel said, "Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child's life are dead."

I woke after the dream and remembered all the angel said. "Mary." I shook her arm. "Mary wake up."

She rubbed her eyes. "Yes, Joseph?"

"The angel spoke to me tonight. We can go back home. Pack. We'll leave for Nazareth first thing in the morning."

Her eyes brightened. "We're going home?"

"The angel said the people who wanted to kill Jesus are dead. We're safe." I had to admit I was really happy to go home, too. Life in Egypt wasn't bad. It just wasn't home, or near family.

Photo Courtesy

"That's wonderful news, Joseph. I'll start right away."

We had gathered a few more belongings than when we had come. My tools. Her pots. We also packed food for the trip home, bread, dates, and water.

We loaded up our cart and hooked it to the donkey the next morning. The sun was in our eyes, but we didn't care. We were going home.




Come back for the next story.

*********************************************************************************************

sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary

* Jewish History.org
*Jewish Virtual Library.org

My research in Israel.

Jonathan Goforth-Trapped By An Angry Mob

By Mary Vee
Year: December 1900

Jonathan Goforth-41 years old

Jonathan Goforth's Journal

My name is Jonathan Goforth. My wife, Rosalind and I are missionaries in China. 

The wagon wheels creaked as oxen pulled our belongings on the road away from our home. Only the weak and young children road. The rest in our team walked. 

Hot sun beat down on us. We rationed the water and food. 

Angry groups of Chinese flocked to the road as we road by villages, yelling at us. "You have no right to be on the road." They turned to each other and raised their fists. "Kill the foreigners!"

Six long days of travel passed. We were tired and thirsty. Several desperately needed a break from the journey. We couldn't, though. We just couldn't. The danger was too great.

I prayed night and day as we walked. On the seventh day God encouraged me. We met a group of businessmen who were also running from the rebellion. They were engineers. Their caravan was much larger and better equipped. They had large wagons and armed men to protect them on the trip. 

"Where are you going?" I asked.

"To Fencheng. We plan to sail down the river to Hankow then on to Shanghai."

That was our plan as well. We traveled together for a while. The company was nice, not to mention the armed guards for protection made us feel safer. We arrived together in the next big village called Hsintien. By that time we found an inn, though, heat, lack of water, and weariness had deeply affect some of the missionaries from our group.

"Jonathan, please. We must rest. The animals need rest as well."

The rest they needed would take a few days. The engineers, though, didn't need the rest. They had better supplies, hadn't travelled as far, and their wagons were more comfortable. They said, "We can't wait. We must keep going." 

They had become our friends in the short time we traveled. They felt sorry for the missionaries who struggled with the heat. "We will leave one of our guards with you."

"Thank you."

The engineers continued their journey, leaving us behind. As they walked away, an angry crowd from the city came to the inn where we stayed. They saw we only had one guard.

While rocks hit the windows of our rooms and angry shouts hurled through the air, I held Rosalind close. Her heart beat so fast. Mr. Griffith said, "I don't think it is safe to stay here. We need to leave here before the crowd breaks though." 

We wouldn't be safe outside either. 

The owner of the oxen shook his head. "No, I won't go. I can't harness the oxen out there. They'll kill me." 

The owner of the cart said, "You can't ask me to leave. That cart is all I own. I can't let that mob ruin it."

Without their help there was no way we would be able to leave. We were trapped!



Jonathan has many stories to share. Come back each Monday to find out what happened next.



Resources Used for This Series
Being, Janet, and Geoff Benge. Jonathan Goforth: An Open Door in China. Seattle. WA: YWAM Pub., 2001.Print
Doyle, G. Wright. Builders of the Chinese Church: Pioneer Protestant Missionaries and Chinese Church Leaders. Eugene Oregon: Pickwick Pub, 2015. Print.
Goforth, Jonathan, and Rosaline Goforth, Miracle Lives of China, London" Marshall, Morgan & Scott, 1931, Print.
Goforth, Jonathan. "By My Spirit" Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1942. Print
Goforth, Rosalind. Climbing; Memories of a Missionary's Wife. Chicago: Moody Pub, n.d. Print
Goforth, Rosalind, How I Know God Answers Prayers; The Personal Testimony of One Life-time, New York: Harper & Brothers, 1921. Print
Goforth, Rosalind. Jonathan Goforth. Minneapolis, MN: Bethan House, 1986. Print
Goforth, Rosalind, How God Answers Prayer: The Mighty Miracles of God from the Mission Field of Jonathan Goforth. USA: Revival, 2016. Print Original copyright not stated.
Jackson, Dave, and Neta Jackson. Mask of the Wolf Boy: Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House, 1999. Print.
McCleary, Walter. An Hour with Jonathan Goforth: A Biography. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1938. Print.
Meloche, Renee Taft., and Bryan Pollard. Jonathan Goforth: Never Give up. Seattle, WA: YWAM, 2004. Print.

.

Let Jonathan hear from you!

Leave a comment below.

Herod the Great Was a Cranky and Greedy Man

By Mary Vee
Matthew 2

From Matthew's Notes

My name is Herod, I am the appointed king of Israel by the Roman emperor.

Since my early twenties, I have work hard to impress the Roman emperors. I held no allegiance to any one of them. Whichever man was in power was the one I wanted to impress. Not holding allegiance to past emperors has saved my life at least once.

Let me first make it clear that I am not a Jew.

I have a very inventive mind. I see how things work and immediately think of ways to make them better. Nothing is good enough as it is. There is always room for improvement.

For example, water was needed in the area of Joppa and north. Fresh water. By studying the area, I figured out that if aqueducts in these areas were angled on a one degree slope, water would continuously flow. I had two aqueducts constructed, side by side, each nine miles long, to meet the needs of the cities.

This is only one of the my many inventions.

I find myself to be a giving king, but also demand obedience and hard work from those around me. I wanted to please the Jews. Realizing they didn't have the mind for construction that I had, I trained the slaves to build the structure with the highest caliber of craftsmanship.

I was a very busy man with endless projects going at one time. When a group of wisemen came from the East, I was duly impressed. They wanted to know where the new king of the Jews had been born. 

I had no knowledge that one had been born and didn't like the fact that my throne stood in jeopardy. I called in my advisors who determined that Bethlehem was the location the wisemen wanted. I sent them off to continue their journey, but pretended to have interest in worshiping this new king. I asked them to come back and tell me where they found the king so I could go too.

Days had passed and the wisemen had not returned. I was furious. I paced back and forth in my chambers trying to come up with an idea what to do about the situation. Then the idea came to me. A devious one.

I called for my captain and ordered all boys two years old and younger living in Bethlehem to be executed. "No, wait, I want the surrounding area included in these orders." I told him. 

The captain bowed and left the room. I knew my order would be carried out to perfection.

I felt better already. It didn't matter which boy was the new king. He wouldn't be alive by sundown the next day.


Author's note: Matthew 2:16-18 says: Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: 

"A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted because they are no more.

Rachel is mentioned here because Bethlehem is in the area known as the tribe of Benjamin. Benjamin was Rachel's second son born to Jacob.

Come back for the next story.

*********************************************************************************************

sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary

* Jewish History.org
*Jewish Virtual Library.org

My research in Israel.