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Matthew 2:16-18
When the wise men did not return to King Herod, he knew that they were on to his deceitful plan to kill the Child JESUS. He was furious as his embarrassment overwhelmed him. In his fury, he announced a decree as is documented in Matthew 2:16 (NKJV), “Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men.” Once again, a prophecy was fulfilled through the Prophet Jeremiah in Jeremiah 31:15 declaring,
“A voice was heard in Ramah,
Lamentation, weeping, and great
mourning,
Rachel weeping for her children,
Refusing to be comforted,
Because they are no more”
This is the promise and example of God’s great plan of salvation.
There is a possible overlap of the events in Matthew 2:12-15 and Matthew 2:16-18 as we now know that when the wise men went to see the Christ Child, He was possible as old as 2 (Matthew 2:16) as is in relationship to the age of the children that King Herod declared to be put to death. But we also learn in Matthew 2:13 that the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in his dream after the wise men had left; however, we do not know how long after they left that Joseph had this dream. The overlap in these events being that it would take some time for the wise men to walk back to King Herod, as was their instructions from him, and then given additional time for King Herod to realize that they were indeed not coming back, and then make the declaration to have all the children under two years of age killed. We desire to believe, without proof, that the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in his dream before King Herod even realized that he had been deceived by the wise men. Why is this important? Because if this were the case, it shows us of just how planned out, thought out, and full-proof is God’s great plan of salvation.
We must also take a moment and consider the prophecy of Jeremiah 31:15 and would today declare it collateral damage as to those who have lost their lives for Christ’s sake. We may sound heartless in making such a statement, but it gives us something to think about and ponder in our hearts this Christmas season as Jesus would eventually give His life for many in God’s great plan of salvation for all humanity. Jesus declares in John 15:13 (NIV), “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” We must wonder, “Could these children under two years of age be the first martyrs for Christ?” They will live with Him for all eternity in heaven – in His peace, love, and joy.
Dear LORD,
There is great joy in learning of Your great plan of salvation for everyone, everywhere. But there is also sorrows, trials, tribulations, and great loss at it’s cost. We wonder why You allow us to suffer as we put and keep our faith in Jesus our Savior; in the forgiveness that You provide for us through Him. But the truth is that He suffered and gave all for us so that even though we suffer and will all eventually die physically, we may live through His purity in His death, burial, and resurrection from the dead that was given for all humanity. Please help us to believe in Your great plan of salvation LORD as Your ways are higher than our ways and Your thoughts are higher than ours (Isaiah 53:8-9). In Jesus name I pray, amen.