Diplomatic Affairs

“Now he was very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon; and with one mind they came to him, and having won over Blastus the king’s chamberlain, they were asking for peace, because their country was supported with grain from the king’s country.” (1) Herod held strong hostility toward Tyre and Sidon. (a) Tyre and Sidon were the two major cities of Phoenicia, located north of Israel. (b) While the exact cause of Herod’s anger is unknown, he had imposed a ban on exports to these cities (particularly on food supplies). (2) The people of Tyre and Sidon feared that their conflict with Herod would drag on. (a) Without grain imports from Israel, they would face a severe food shortage. (b)It is likely, signs of an impending famine were beginning to appear. (3) In response, they sought reconciliation with Herod. (a) They sent a large delegation to Caesarea. (b) They managed to gain the favor of Blastus, the king’s chamberlain, likely through bribery.

Herod’s address

“On an appointed day, after putting on his royal apparel, Herod took his seat on the rostrum and began delivering an address to them. The people repeatedly cried out, ‘The voice of a god and not of a man!’” (1) On a summer day in AD 44, a festival was held in the name of honoring Emperor Claudius. On that day, citizens of Tyre, Sidon, and Caesarea gathered in the amphitheater. This was a building constructed by Herod the Great, Herod Agrippa’s grandfather. (2) At that location, Herod began his speech. (a) He wore royal robes. The robes were made of silver, and when illuminated by the morning sun, they shone brilliantly (according to Josephus). (b) He took his seat on the throne, which was positioned at the center of the amphitheater. (c) He addressed the assembled crowd. In those days, it was common to deliver speeches while seated. (3) The audience’s reaction was astonishing. (a) While Herod’s speech was indeed powerful, the crowd was compelled to flatter him due to their circumstances. (b) They repeatedly shouted, “The voice of a god and not of a man!” According to Jewish historian Josephus, they cried out, “Have mercy on us! We have revered you only as a man until now, but from now on we will honor you as more than a man.” (4) Herod neither rebuked nor restrained these praises. Among all the sins a person can commit, the most fearful is the sin of making yourself God and acting as if you are. In response to Herod’s arrogance, God’s judgment comes upon him. God is not to be mocked.