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who lived in Bethlehem. After all, according to Josephus he murdered members of his own family (see The Jewish War). However, it was no doubt not something he wanted to have published or boast about. Further, he realised also that he had been mocked by the wise men (that is, made to feel a fool) and this enraged him (Matthew 2:16). Again, it was something he would want to cover up. |
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The answer is: "We are not told", though the munificent gifts given to Jesus by the wise men may have been used to meet their needs in this period. We may say that the protecting wings of the cherubim were over the child Jesus and preserved him from the malice of man which was exposed by Herod's actions. God could have used other means to protect his Son. He could immediately have destroyed Herod but He did not do so and it is characteristic of Christ's first coming that he withdrew from evil rather than crushed it as he will in a coming day (See for examples, Luke 4:28-32; John 7:1; 8:59). God we may say loved Jesus as a child as he did Israel (Hosea 11:1). Moses as a babe somewhat typifies him. Moses was exceedingly lovely (fair to God) and preserved by Him (Acts 7:20), even though the Pharaoh's injunction was that the male Hebrew children should be destroyed (Exodus 1:15-22; Hebrews 11:23). |
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Bethlehem was the place associated with Rachel's death. She died on the way there (Genesis 48:7). In other words the reference to Rachel points to Bethlehem. But why is Ramah mentioned ? Ramah means 'to be high' and the point made is probably that the wail of very bitter weeping in Bethlehem was heard in Ramah, that is, on high (in heaven). There are several places called Ramah, all of them on elevated sites, but it is unlikely that these places are referred to, but rather to the fact that the weeping was heard as Abel's blood was from the ground (Genesis 4:10). Note: it does not say that the weeping was in Ramah, but that it was heard in Ramah. Note also: it does not say that the weeping was for a child, but for children (plural). Jacob's Rachel did not lose children, but lost her own life in childbirth (Genesis 35:16-20). See Appendix 1. |
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That God's ways are untraceable we know (Romans 11:33), but there are wise reasons why God orders things the way He does. Christ identified Himself with Israel in many ways, for example in baptism (Matthew 3:13-17). It was God's will that he should be identified with them as coming out of Egypt (Matthew 2:19-23) and later on as living in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11). Where they failed He was in every way pleasing to God (John 8:29). |
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We are to follow in his steps (1 Peter 2:21). As he Himself fled into Egypt (Matthew 2:13), we are to flee if persecuted (Matthew 10:23). As the wise men followed the star, we are to follow those that would lead us to Christ (John 1:35-42; 4:29). He is to be our object and everything else in our lives should be subservient to Him. It is easy to say it, but do we live it ? (Philippians 3:8-21; Hebrews 12:2). |
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February 2001 |
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