15Thus saith the LORD; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rachel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not (Jeremiah 31:15).
16Then Herod, when he 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, 18In Ramah 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 (Matthew 2:16-18).
This prophecy from Jeremiah is an example of extreme human cruelty. The hatred of Christ is so extreme that Herod was willing to kill children. Herod was known for his cruelty, but this hatred of a child that he had never met is telling. We must understand that there are underlying forces of evil that are in utter opposition to God. We should not think, “but that was a long time ago, and we are now much more civilized so that kind of evil against God’s people would never happen.” The atrocities of the 20th and 21st century tell a different story. Abject evil still exists and is unfortunately alive and well today. Evil is always in opposition to God and behind the evil action of people is always a core hatred of God. When we encounter evil, especially as directed against God’s people, we can be sure that the ultimate enemy is behind the attack. The solution for us to combat evil in this world is to rely on the power and might of God to bring about the necessary actions against the evil.
16Then Herod, when he 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, 18In Ramah 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 (Matthew 2:16-18).
This prophecy from Jeremiah is an example of extreme human cruelty. The hatred of Christ is so extreme that Herod was willing to kill children. Herod was known for his cruelty, but this hatred of a child that he had never met is telling. We must understand that there are underlying forces of evil that are in utter opposition to God. We should not think, “but that was a long time ago, and we are now much more civilized so that kind of evil against God’s people would never happen.” The atrocities of the 20th and 21st century tell a different story. Abject evil still exists and is unfortunately alive and well today. Evil is always in opposition to God and behind the evil action of people is always a core hatred of God. When we encounter evil, especially as directed against God’s people, we can be sure that the ultimate enemy is behind the attack. The solution for us to combat evil in this world is to rely on the power and might of God to bring about the necessary actions against the evil.
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