Years before either Herod or Jesus arrived in Israel, events transpired to create conflict between the two. While Rebekah was pregnant with Jacob and Esau, the Lord told her ?Two nations are in your womb?; one people will be stronger than the other and the older will serve the younger? (Gen. 25:23).

Esau, the older son, eventually founded the nation of Edom. And Jacob, who was younger and managed to steal his brother?s birthright, founded the nation of Israel. These nations were in conflict with each other throughout the Old Testament.

But prophets proclaimed that Edom would one day be overcome by Israel. Balaam prophesied that ?A star will come out of Jacob? Edom will be conquered? (Num. 24:17—18). And Malachi spoke God?s words, ?I have loved [Jacob]? but Esau I have hated, and I have? left his inheritance to the desert jackals? (Mal. 1:2—3).

These prophecies gave Jews hope that the Messiah would someday assume power over Edom. Most first-century Jews could not imagine that the Messiah was with them. Herod, an Edomite, dominated Israel?s politics and culture, and he overshadowed the very village where Jesus was born.

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