The Royal Bloodline

 Throughout history there have been bloodlines of Kingship that have been used to keep pure the true lines of the rulers from those of the common people.  There were such lines in Egypt two thousand years before the time of Christ, where Pharaohs married their sisters in an attempt to keep the blood pure.  These lines could be carried through the fathers or mothers or through the males of the father and there were many attempts to ensure that the dynasty never ran out of kings not having a son to carry on.  Where this happened, another dynasty was stated by marriage through another line, so that the line was continuous wherever possible.

 Conquest through war also meant the erasing of a true line and the conquered was unable to carry on his line.  Often the conquering King would marry the daughter of the conquered people to help keep the peace and remain conquered, as the offspring over time took the place of the new dynasty.  Occasionally this led to disputing, where ambitious males took advantage by the sword.  They were not unknown for buying an army from another land to lead into battle.  The strength of the sword arm often became the most important item of keeping a royal seat firmly on the throne.

 A conquering leader was more secured by the number of sons that he sired.  They were taught at an early age to defend themselves creating a niche in the royal hierarchy for themselves and being available to put down rebellions from the country itself.  The wealth of the nation often depended on the plunder it achieved.  The top dog or king had first choice of what he wanted.  Women were as chattels and had two chances to live.  One was their good looks and the other as a willingness to be available to sleep in the bed of the man who killed their husband!

 The most famous and, in some ways more peaceful Royal Line, was the messianic Hebrew line, which passed from David through Solomon, who built the Temple in Jerusalem.  The line promised that through it would come a Messiah, who would become King of the Jews and lead them against all their enemies.  It was though this fear that the Romans killed the Prophet Jesus, who, although only teaching love and healing the sick, was hailed by the people as being the Messiah.  He frightened the Jews because of this power and innocence.  They had him crucified by the Romans.

 Sunday, 31^st January 2021