Of Such Is The Kingdom Part I—Discontent and Insurrection

”Now it was my turn.  ‘Herod feels certain that in so doing, he will have killed a king whose coming was revealed to him by certain wise men from the east who saw the new king’s star and followed it to Jerusalem.  He’s certain it is the Messiah king who is to come out of Bethlehem as foretold by the prophets.  The star first appeared about two years ago, so...’

”‘Ha!’ he interrupted.  ‘Now I know he’s mad!  Wise men from the east, following a star!  Who could believe a tale like that?’

”The woman looked her husband in the eye.  ‘I could. I don’t know why, but I sense there is truth in what he says. Oh, Ezra, Ezra!  We must flee!’

”‘What?  And leave our happy home here?  Leave my business?  Leave what I’ve worked for all my life, for a silly child’s tale?’

”‘For my baby, Joshua!’  She walked over to the youngest boy and put her arm around him, drawing him close to her. ‘My baby, my baby!’

”‘He’s just as much mine as he is yours.’

”‘Then why don’t you want to flee?’

”‘Because I don’t believe this fair haired dreamer of a youth!’

”‘But, if there’s a chance that what he says might be true—.  My baby, oh my dear baby!’

”I was standing close to him and he grabbed me by the tunic and held me as tightly as he could.  ‘Look me in the eye, son.’  I did.  ‘Son, are you lying to us?’

”‘Oh, no, sir!  It’s true, every bit of it, I swear!’

”‘And how did you find all of this out?’

”‘Good God!’  I exploded, wrenching myself loose from his grip.  ‘Do I have to spell everything out for you?  Herod’s my father.  I heard it all with my own ears. I stole one of the horses from the royal stable and rode all the way here so I could warn people like you.  And then, you won’t believe me! What must I do to make you believe me?’

”‘You see, dear,’ said the woman, walking back toward her husband.  ‘It is true!’

”‘Alright!  We’ll leave as soon as we can get packed.’”

By now the wine was quite low in the pitcher, and Herod and Manaheem sat slowing sipping from half-filled glasses. “Wow!”  exclaimed Herod.  ”That was close. But at least you convinced them.”

”Yes, but they weren’t all convinced that easily.  Many of them were not convinced at all.  By the time the first rays of dawn broke, I felt I never wanted to see another human face again.  My feet were sore from walking, and I was physically and mentally exhausted.  But I knew I must continue until the last family had been warned.  As I approached the next house, the sound of marching feet greeted my ears.  I knew there wasn’t much time left now, so I beat wildly on the door.  Why didn’t it open?  Why?  And then, suddenly, it did, and I was standing in the presence of another one of those pretty young faces that had greeted me so often that night.  I didn’t need to ask her my opening question, for she carried her young son with her in her arms.  He was such a cute baby, but there was no time for admiration now.  I warned her with the fastest possible speed and greatest possible tact; though I fear I was much lacking in the latter.  She doubted, as had many, but invited me in for further explanation. I explained as best I could, pleading with her to flee, as I had done with so many others.