Anchor My Faith

Innocent Children Die!

Scripture: Matthew 2:16-18

With Jesus now safely tucked away in Egypt, what about other children the age of Jesus that are still in Bethlehem? “Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men” (Matthew 2:16 ESV). As time passed and the wise men did not return to Herod, he realized that he had been “tricked” by them. A check of various translations shows the words outwitted and mocked being used in place of tricked. The wise men ignored his request to return with information and these words simply express that Herod was upset by it. In fact, he became furious and determined harm for all male children in Bethlehem and the surrounding region who were two years old or under. Herod had determined from the wise men the time the star shown, indicating the birth of Jesus, and decided that any children age two or under would include Jesus and so he sent soldiers to kill them.

“Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: “A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.”” (Matthew 2:17 – 18 ESV). Matthew used words from Jeremiah 31:15 (ESV): “Thus says the Lord: “A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping. Rachel is weeping for her children; she refuses to be comforted for her children, because they are no more.”” The event spoken of by Jeremiah, describes the mothers of Israel (Rachel) weeping for their children who had been taken from Israel and carried off into exile. Like the loss of those children is the loss of these children at the hands of Herod.

The person Herod wanted dead was Jesus, but since the wise men didn’t return to him with his location, Herod took the lives of innocent children, hoping that Jesus would be among them. As a mother, how would you feel if your child was murdered as these children were? Consider an even harder question that some face today. Would you deny Jesus if it meant saving the life of your children? Which is worth more to you, Jesus or your children? Have you considered how much you would sacrifice to remain faithful to Jesus? He died on the cross for you. Are you willing to suffer and even die for him?

This two-day journey brings us to the end of another section of travel along the gospel path. In the next lesson we will start the next section, titled “The Return to Nazareth.”

Prayer

Father, Mary being pregnant with Jesus outside of marriage could have resulted in her death and thus the death of Jesus. With Jesus being called a King, Herod was determined to kill him, but an angel directed Joseph to escape to Egypt. Again and again his life will be threatened until on the cross when he declares his work to be finished, he surrenders his life into the hands of his Father. He was divinely protected until his time, just as I believe we are. Three distinct times I should have been killed, but my work was not finished and God protected me. We see this again and again with Christians who live under severe persecution. The book “Standing in the Fire” is about these believers.