The Great Fulfillment: Weeping

Matthew 2:16-18

William Cowper story

Herod the Paranoid

Herod the Great reigned from 37 B.C.- 4 B.C.

The first third of his reign was mainly centered on his consolidation of power as he proved himself to be an effective ruler and peace-keeper to Rome

The second third of his reign was marked by extensive architectural projects such as forts, seaports, and the rebuilding of the Temple

His architectural prowess and genius is truly breathtaking

The final third of his reign was plagued by family strife, regional unrest, and deteriorating health

Paranoia turns to ruthlessness

He became extremely paranoid and even had two of his sons put to death becasue he thought that they might try to take his throne

When he hears of another “king of the Jews”, all he hears is a competitor for his throne

He has one goal- destroy this child no matter the cost

Herod became furious

Literally “exceedingly angry”

He is angry because the Maggi did not return ot him as he asked

He is desperate to squash what he perceives to be a threat

He now has a decision to make… what will he do?

Slaughter of the baby boys

He wanted to take no chances

Bethlehem and all of its surrounding regions

Jesus was said to be in the area of Bethlehem, so he focused on this entire area

All of the males 2 years old and under

Jesus was probably between 6 and 20 months old, so Herod wanted to be thorough

This account is rejected as accurate by many modern scholars because it is not found anywhere outside of the Bible

But there is no reason to distrust Matthew’s account

This would have been perfectly in line with what we do know about Herod

Bethlehem was a very small town, and there would have likely been no more than 20 or 30 boys killed in the area

This would have been small in bloodshed compared to some of the other events occurring at the time, so it’s not shocking that this event isn’t recorded elsewhere

This fulfilled what was said by the prophet

This was not out of God’s control

It is not as though the world was coming undone

This came to be because God orchestrated it to be

He foretold it because He ordained it

Jeremiah 31:15- Thus says the Lord: “A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping. Rachel is weeping for her children; she refuses to be comforted for her children, because they are no more.”

Why would He do it this way?

It is the conclusion to the weeping that began in Jeremiah

The immediate context of Jeremiah 31:15 is that the Babylonians are taking the people of Judah into exile because of God’s judgment

From the exile of Judah to the birth of Christ there seemed to be no hope for a king to sit on David’s throne

They were captives in a foreign land

When they could finally return they were ruled by other nations

But just after this passage in Jeremiah hope is pronounced

Jeremiah 31:31-34- “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the Lord. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”

It is in the context of Israel’s weeping that the New Covenant is pronounced and promised

Hope has come and the mourners can cease their mourning!

A Savior has been born, a King has come

The people of God are no longer in mourning, but now we must rejoice!

The providence of the painful

The specific reasons for our pain we often do not know

We so often ask “why did this happen”?

I’m sure that the mothers and fathers of the baby boys in Bethlehem asked the same question when their children were slaughtered

It was the pain of such horrible loss that the dawning of the long-awaited King of Glory would arrive to give unshakable hope

Christmas reminds us that God’s providence is always good and wise

His painful providence in our lives will be the backdrop in front of which we will experience the full and inexpressible joy that we will experience in Him forever

This Christmas, may you be reminded of His goodness

As you think of the arrival of the Savior King, let it remind you that He promises to do unending good to you through Christ

William Cowper’s hymn- God Moves in a Mysterious Way

God moves in a mysterious way

His wonders to perform;

He plants His footsteps in the sea

And rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines

Of never failing skill

He treasures up His bright designs

And works His sov’reign will.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;

The clouds ye so much dread

Are big with mercy and shall break

In blessings on your head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,

But trust Him for His grace;

Behind a frowning providence

He hides a smiling face.

His purposes will ripen fast,

Unfolding every hour;

The bud may have a bitter taste,

But sweet will be the flow’r.