From Matthew 2:16-18 / Fulfilling Prophecy – This account of Herod’s retribution against the Wise Men is rife with Old Testament connections. There are layers to unpack. In the first case, we see that the slaughter of the infants (probably 20 or less) is bewailed by the bereft mothers as would be expected. But the allusion to Jeremiah 31 is difficult. For while vs. 18 cites the weeping and lamentation of “Rachel” (culturally seen as the “Mother” of Israel) it is set in a passage (Jer. 31) where although the sons of Israel were carried away into exile and were “no more” – the promise of restoration and the introduction of New Covenant are its great subject matter. Yes, under Israel’s spiritual exile in Jesus’ day (demonstrated by Roman occupation and brutal rulers like Herod) – nevertheless, the Messiah has come. He too will be exiled for a short time. Like the executed infants He too will be “no more” in a way. But He will return. He will come and lead His people into God’s New Covenant. He will put away sin. He will punish the wicked. He will die His substitutionary death on the Cross. And He will rise again, ascend to the right hand of The Father, and will reign until all His enemies are put under His feet. The deaths of the children will be avenged and righted. The everlasting Kingdom of Righteousness will come. Even the very last enemy – death – will be utterly defeated at His hand. In the moment of dreadful darkness that descends over Bethlehem and its environs – still shines the Light of glory in even the infant face of Jesus Christ. God’s great mercy and grace will win the day in due time, no matter how it looks at the moment. That was true then, and it is true now. Though Jeremiah wrote 600 years before this fulfillment, it didn’t fail to come to pass irrespective of all the intervening events which made it look impossible. And so His promises remain still true to Believers today. We can trust Him to fulfill all the Father has put in His hand. One day, should He tarry, we will all be raised to be with Him and to behold His glory forever.