Christmas Advent Devotional Day 9: Murder of Innocence

 

Micah 5:2

² “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,

Though you are little among the thousands of Judah,

Yet out of you shall come forth to Me

The One to be Ruler in Israel...” (NKJV)

 

Yesterday, we looked at the significance of Bethlehem in Christ’s birth story. Today we will delve into another important connection. Bethlehem is also the burial site of Rachel, Israel’s beloved wife, the one considered to be the “mother of the Israelites”. 

Genesis 35:19

¹⁹ So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem). (NKJV)

 

According to biblestudy.org, Rachel’s burial site is considered by Jews to be the 3^rd holiest site. Another interesting fact in that article involving Rachel, was the prophecy, recorded in 

Jeremiah 31:15:

¹⁵ Thus says the Lord:

“A voice was heard in Ramah,

Lamentation and bitter weeping,

Rachel weeping for her children,

Refusing to be comforted for her children,

Because they are no more.”

 

A seldom mentioned fact is that Ramah and mass murder are linked to the birth of Jesus. Herod the Great, ruler at the birth of Christ, was a ruthless egomaniac. When the “wise men” came following the star in their quest for Messiah, he became threatened.  He asked to be apprised of Christ’s birthplace so he could worship also, but intention of murder was buried in the lie. 

When the men evaded him by returning home on a different route, he investigated for himself.  When he was unable to locate the Messiah, (Matthew 2:8, 12, 16), he sent troops to the city to murder boys aged 0-2 years old.  According to Matthew, this mass infanticide occurred in 5 B.C.  

Matt 2:16-18

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

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.”

 

Isn’t that amazing? And yes, horrific. Why would God choose that to be a part of His Son’s birth story?

 I love how Bible teacher, Tara-Leigh Cobble, explains details like this.   She says that some of Scripture is descriptive, not prescriptive.  This means that it is written in God’s Word to describe events that occur or will occur but are not necessarily a part of God’s plan.  In His omniscience, He just knows what evil humanity will choose.

Six hundred years before it happened, Jeremiah would see this slaughter.  This senseless loss of innocent blood.  This seems to mar the miraculous story of a “Silent Night” and a “Holy Night.”

But does it?

This shedding of innocent blood could also be seen as foreshadowing.  Later this babe would be murdered Himself.  This child who would grow up, never sin, never break the law, but would die a criminal's death on the cross.  Brutalized not for His own actions, but for ours.

Rachel’s lament became Mary’s, and later, Mary’s lament became our song of deliverance!