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Imprisonment and Death of John
129
Herod was astonished and confounded. He was horror-stricken
at the thought of taking the life of John. Yet he was unwilling to
appear fickle or rash. The oath had been made in honor of his guests,
and if one of them had offered a word against the fulfillment of his
promise, he would gladly have spared the prophet. He gave them
opportunity to speak in the prisoner’s behalf. They knew John to be
a servant of God. But though shocked at the girl’s demand, they were
too besotted to remonstrate. No voice was raised to save the life of
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Heaven’s messenger. Upon these men of high positions rested grave
responsibilities, yet they had given themselves up to drunkenness.
Their heads were turned with the giddy scene of music and dancing,
and conscience lay dormant. By their silence they pronounced the
sentence of death on the prophet of God, to satisfy the revenge of an
abandoned woman.
Herod reluctantly commanded the execution of the prophet. Soon
the head of John was brought in. Never more would that voice be
heard calling men to repentance. The revels of one night cost the
life of one of the greatest of the prophets.
How often have the innocent been sacrificed through the intem-
perance of those who should have been guardians of justice! He
who puts the intoxicating cup to his lips makes himself responsible
for all the injustice he may commit under its besotting power. Those
who have jurisdiction over the lives of their fellowmen should be
held guilty of a crime when they yield to intemperance. They need
full command of their physical, mental, and moral powers that they
may possess vigor of intellect, and a high sense of justice.
Herodias exulted in her revenge and flattered herself that Herod’s
conscience would no longer be troubled. But no happiness resulted.
Her name became abhorred, while Herod was tormented by remorse.
He was constantly seeking to find relief from a guilty conscience. As
he recalled John’s self-denial, his solemn, earnest appeals, his sound
judgment in counsel, and then remembered how he had come to his
death, Herod could find no rest. In the affairs of state, receiving
honors from men, he bore a smiling face while he concealed an
anxious heart oppressed with fear. He was convinced that God had
witnessed the revelry of the banqueting room, that He had seen the
exultation of Herodias, and the insult she offered to the severed head
of her reprover.