Thursday, December 31, 2015
THE WONDERS OF DIVINE PROVIDENCE IN THE PRESERVATION OF THE CHILD JESUS (4)
Matthew 2:16-18 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. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying, "A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted, because they were no more."
"THE SLAUGHTER OF THE INNOCENTS"
These are some of the saddest verses in the Bible.
Herod came to realize that the Wise Men had mocked him when--by God's design, remember--they returned to their home country without telling Herod where the newborn King could be found.
What followed is the so-called "slaughter of the innocents." In a fit of satanic rage--a trait Herod and his family were known for--all baby boys two-years-old and under were killed. It's estimated that 15-30 boys of that age would have been found in the area of Bethlehem.
Jeremiah's prophecy pictures Rachel as the mother of the Israelites. Her children would "be no more" in the sense that the nation would be taken into captivity in Babylon for rejecting the Lord. Even so, the baby boys "were no more" because of Herod's attempt to usurp the throne of Christ (no Herod, Christ was not born to be an earthly King!).
We can draw a parallel here to the practice of abortion. Thousands upon thousands of unborn children are systematically killed worldwide as a "matter of convenience" or plain selfishness. Equally horrific, the laws of many countries, including our own, permit and condone such murder. By some kind of circular reasoning, killing a baby is seen as being kinder and more considerate than allowing that baby to be born and then responsibly raised to live for its Creator, Savior God.
As one year draws to a close and yet another opens on the secular calendar, may God in His mercy yet wake up our nation to the abortion holocaust. Through God's saving gospel may all citizens be brought to godly contrition and repentance, including to a respect for life from conception through natural death.
The old year now has passed away;
We thank You, O our God, today
That You have kept us through the year
When danger and distress were near.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 125:1)
