Herod has heard that the Magi (who he purposed to
manipulate into showing him where the new King of the Jews would be born) have
outwitted him. He orders the death of every male toddler/baby in the greater
Bethlehem area. At this point we come to Matthew 2:17-18. To date, Matthew has
quoted Isaiah (1:23), Micah (2:6) and Hosea (2:14). Now he quotes Jeremiah: “Then what was said
through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: “A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping
and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be
comforted, because they are no more.”[1]
There is no doubt that many
families were – and this is surely a tremendous understatement - greatly
distraught at the outcome of Herod’s order. For what could be more upsetting
than soldiers barging through your doors and killing an innocent child? Your innocent child? Your son – on whom you
had the greatest of hopes? Your own son, who was in all likelihood born in an
answer to prayer? And now, in a moment, he is lifeless. A soldier’s sword
having been plunged through his helpless body while you were held back. What
mother would not have been hysterical? What father would not be heartbroken? What
family would not have wondered where their God was at that moment? Indeed, where
was God while this horror was being carried out?
Matthew quoted Jeremiah – a
prophet who lived and ministered and spoke this Word of God ~600BC. That means
that for 600 years, God was aware this day would come. What Herod decided in an
instant of anger was known by God Most High, generations prior. More than that,
it means that for 600 years God was cognizant of this day’s emotional damage to
His people.
In our most tragic moments,
God is not far off or unaware. He knew the day would come, He knew the pain you
would feel. He has been thinking about that pain for a very long time. Your
suffering is part of the reason Jesus died on the cross. In fact, it could be
said that it was in consideration of your pain that Jesus was sent to the
cross. For apart from the cross, there
is no freedom from such pain, only more and more grief, suffering and pain to
be endured. All of it – like Rachel’s weeping – is part of His story, the story
of overcoming His enemy, the same who whispered such a wicked thought into
Herod’s ear in the first place. But now, the day is coming, “He will wipe every
tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or
pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” [2]
· God was and is
aware of your hurt because of the injustice of others. He has already addressed
the root cause of that injustice by the sacrifice of Christ. Praise God for His
grace and mercy to us, that we will see His face and our pain will be no more!
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