Thursday 25th December
Read Matthew 2:16
“When Herod realised that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi.” (NIVUK)
Maybe this was not timed as well as I hoped? Merry Christmas all.
Historians consider this verse more evidence that Matthew has a vivid imagination as there is no extra-biblical evidence of this massacre. That it likely occurred however is not unrealistic given the known character of Herod, and his paranoia, at the end of his reign. Bethlehem is not far from Jerusalem and the order could be carried out quickly when Herod realised the Magi were not going to return.
Why does Matthew record this episode? He is deliberately recalling the very close parallels between Jesus’ early life and that of Moses. Recall that Pharoah also made just such an edict to kill all the boys. “The king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, whose names were Shiphrah and Puah, 16 ‘When you are helping the Hebrew women during childbirth on the delivery stool, if you see that the baby is a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, let her live.’” (Exodus 1:15-16) (NIVUK)
It is not often we reflect at Christmas on the triumph of the True King over those who conspire against Him.
“Why do the nations conspire
and the peoples plot in vain?
2 The kings of the earth rise up
and the rulers band together
against the Lord and against his anointed, saying,
3 ‘Let us break their chains
and throw off their shackles.’
4 The One enthroned in heaven laughs;
the Lord scoffs at them.” (Psalm 2:1-4) (NIVUK)
