one nor the other case had the utterances of the prophets (Hosea and Jeremiah) been
predictions : they were prophetic. In neither one nor the other case was the 'fulfilment'
literal: it was Scriptural, and that in the truest Old Testament sense.
69. Hos. xi. 1.
70. Jer. xxxi. 15.
71. See the evidence for it summarized in 'Sketches of Jewish Social Life in the Days of
Christ,' p. 60.
72. Jer. xi. 1.
73. In point of fact the ancient Synagogue did actually apply to the Messiah Ex. iv. 22, on
which the words of Hosea are based. See the Midrash on Ps. ii. 7. The quotation is given
in full in our remarks on Ps. ii. 7 in Appendix IX.
Book II
FROM THE MANGER IN BETHLEHEM TO THE BAPTISM IN JORDAN
Chapter 9
THE CHILD -LIFE IN NAZARETH
(St. Matthew 2:19 -23; St. Luke 2:39,40.)
THE stay of the Holy Family in Egypt must have been of brief duration. The cup of
Herod's misdeeds, but also of his misery, was full. During the whole latter part of his life,
the dread of a rival to the throne had haunted him, and he had sacrificed thousands,
among them those nearest a nd dearest to him, to lay that ghost.1 And still the tyrant was
not at rest. A more terrible scene is not presented in history than that of the closing days
of Herod. Tormented by nameless fears; ever and again a prey to vain remorse, when he
would frantically call for his passionately- loved, murdered wife Mariamme, and her sons;
even making attempts on his own life; the delirium of tyranny, the passion for blood,
drove him to the verge of madness. The most loathsome disease, such as can scarcely be
described, had fastened on his body,2 and his sufferings were at times agonizing. By the
advice of his physicians, he had himself carried to the baths of Callirhoe (east of the
Jordan), trying all remedies with the determination of one who will do hard battle for life.
It was in vain. The namelessly horrible distemper, which had seized the old man of
seventy, held him fast in its grasp, and, so to speak, played death on the living. He knew
it, that his hour was come, and had himself conveyed back to his palace under the palm-
trees of Jericho. They had known it also in Jerusalem, and, even before the last stage of
his disease, two of the most honored and loved Rabbis - Judas and Matthias - had headed
the wild band, which would sweep away all traces of Herod's idolat rous rule. They began
by pulling down the immense golden eagle, which hung over the great gate of the