“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 are no more.”  

2:16

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.

This is the only record in the Bible of Herod’s killing of children two and under. The words “exceedingly angry” mean that Herod burned with rage. This was consistent with his assassination of close associates and family members.

2:17

Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying:

Killing of children at Christ’s birth was a parallel to Jeremiah 31:15. Jeremiah’s statement referred to Israel weeping for children at the time of the Babylonian Captivity (586 B.C.). This was a prophecy 600 years before Christ. It was a figurative reference to the Bethlehem event.

The words “was fulfilled” at first appear to indicate a direct fulfillment of prophecy; however, the words draw a general relationship to those who grieved in Babylon. The context of Jeremiah’s prophecy is hope.

2:18

“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.”

God promised Jeremiah that, although there was weeping in Israel, He would give hope by redeeming Israel back. He did this 70 years later.

Ramah was a village five miles north of Jerusalem. Israel associated Ramah with weeping because the deportations into captivity took place from there. The mothers of Israel wept because foreign conquerors took their children.

PRINCIPLE:

God’s providence overrules evil actions of men and gives hope in the ultimate victory in Christ.

APPLICATION:

God will redeem Israel again in the Millennial Kingdom (Ro 11:26). There is still hope because the Messiah will do what the Old Testament covenants prophesied.