Weeping and Mourning for Children Matthew 2:18

Matthew shared what happened when Herod, “saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying,”, and in chapter two and verse eighteen of his book, Matthew referred to Jeremiah's prophesy, “In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping...for her children” where we read:

In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.

The verse reads, “ In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, ...” Matthew began with the words, “In Rama” which refers to “a town of the tribe of Benjamin, situated about 5 miles (8 km) north of Jerusalem on the road to Bethel and means a hill” “was there a voice heard” or “was a tone and sound of uttered words perceived, understood and attended to”, “lamentation” or “wailing”, “and weeping” which means “intense crying and sobbing”, “and great mourning” or “and much moaning”. Matthew quoted Jeremiah's prophesy concerning the “intense wailing and moaning” that was to be within the city of Bethlehem.

The verse continues, “... Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.” Matthew added the word, “Rachel” which refers to “the wife of Jacob who was later named Israel whose name means ewe or sheep” “weeping” or “intense crying and sobbing” “for her children” which means “on behalf of and for the cause of Rachel's little offspring and toddlers”, “and would not be comforted” which means “could not be consoled, appeased or encouraged by consolation”, “because” or “since, for the cause and account that” “they are not” which means “the little children no longer are alive and exist”. Jeremiah referred to the way mothers could not be “consoled” because of their “intensely crying and sobbing” over their children who were no longer alive.

When we think through Matthew's words in this verse, we can only imagine the intense grief that was upon the mothers and fathers of the children who were killed by Herod the king. Jeremiah was given this prophesy some seven hundred years before this event occurred, and it pointed once again to the fact that Jesus the Son of God is the Messiah. Herod wanted to destroy Jesus before He could be the “King of the Jews”, and the spiritual implication of this is that Satan himself wanted Jesus dead so He could not be the “Savior” of man. Satan and Herod's plan failed, and Jesus remained alive even though many children under two years old at that time did not. God had His plan of salvation, and those who consider all these prophesies concerning the preservation of Jesus should know God was intentional in His plan to “seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10).

Next time Matthew shares how the “angel” appeared to Joseph again after, “Herod was dead”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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