Can you spot a “pretender?” A “poser?”  That person who maybe holds a high-level position and a high level of bravado but is low on actual follow-through? The one who issues threats but when confronted himself hides behind his staff? A sneaky, inept, degenerate, cowardly lowlife, who sounds menacing but doesn’t have it in him to stand face-to-face with his target?Who can hurl accusations and warnings but would turn and run if confronted by the object of his disdain? A loner, who needs the approval of his colleagues and peers?

That’s a description of the “fox” –Herod, Tetrarch of Galilee, in the time of Jesus.

While Jesus mentions false prophets as “wolves,” he reserves the branding of the “fox” especially for Herod.

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but in…