Herod

Matthew 2 tells us that when Herod learned there were Wise Men who had come to Jerusalem in search of a child who was "born to be king of the Jews," he was very upset.

"So Herod called together all the chief priests of the people.  He also called the teachers of the law.  He asked them where the Messiah was going to be born. 'In Bethlehem in Judea,' they replied.  'This is what the prophet has written.  He said, 'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are certainly not the least important among the towns of Judah.  A ruler will come out of you.  He will rule my people Israel like a shepherd.' <Micah 5:2>

Then Herod secretly called for the Wise Men.  He found out from them exactly when the star had appeared.  He sent them to Bethlehem.  He said, 'Go and search carefully for the child.  As soon as you find him, report it to me.  Then I can go and worship him too.'" - Matthew 2:3-8

They say jealousy is a "green-eyed monster".  However, I think that day, jealousy was a monster that looked very much like Herod.  For Herod did not want to worship Jesus.  He wanted to kill him.  

Herod saw Micah's prophecy as a threat to his own kingdom, and he was intent on wiping out the threat.  So when the Magi did not return to Herod to report where they had found Jesus, "he became very angry.  He gave orders about Bethlehem and the area around it.  He ordered all the boys two years old and under to be killed.  This agreed with the time when the Wise Men had seen the star.  In this way, the words Jeremiah the prophet spoke came true. He had said, 'A voice is heard in Ramah.  It's the sound of crying and deep sadness. Rachel is crying over her children.  She refuses to be comforted, because they are gone.'" <Jeremiah 31:15> (Matthew 2:16-18)

In his jealousy, what Herod failed to recognize is that God is not limited in his benevolence.  It is a mistake we can often make ourselves.

Often if we see someone that we perceive to be doing better than ourselves, or receiving things we would like to have in our own lives - we get jealous, and think that we are somehow being short changed.

We see things in a singular fashion - for example, "Oh, well now that John got the promotion, that means I've lost.  I'll have to wait another few years before I am recognized..." or "I wish I had Kelly's house, car, money...(whatever)."

But that thinking imagines God's blessings are like a pie - and when someone receives a slice, that means there is less pie to go around.

Nothing could be further from the truth! God's blessings are unlimited and He has some stored up just for you!  "Lord, how wonderful you are!  You have stored up so many good things for us, like a treasure chest heaped up and spilling over with blessings - all for those who honor and worship you!  Everybody knows what you can do for those who turn and hide themselves in you." - Psalms 31:19 (TPT)