The Anticipated King and a Jealous Tyrant
The birth of Jesus Christ, the long-awaited Messiah, was an event of cosmic significance, heralded by angels and foretold by prophets throughout the Old Testament. Yet, this divine arrival was met with stark contrast in the earthly realm: humble adoration from shepherds and a murderous paranoia from the reigning political power. King Herod, a ruthless and insecure monarch appointed by Rome, reigned over Judea. His reign was characterized by grand building projects and extreme cruelty, extending even to the murder of his own family members whom he perceived as threats. It was into this volatile environment that the King of Kings was born in Bethlehem, a small town with immense prophetic significance.
The Wise Men and Herod's Treachery
Shortly after Jesus' birth, a group of Wise Men, or Magi, from the East arrived in Jerusalem, following a celestial sign – a star – that signified the birth of the "King of the Jews." Their arrival immediately stirred the political pot, reaching the ears of King Herod. The very idea of a new king threatened his precarious hold on power. Instead of genuine inquiry, Herod's heart was filled with treachery, veiled by a feigned desire to worship the newborn king.
When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
Herod convened the chief priests and scribes, demanding to know where Christ should be born. They, knowledgeable in the prophecies, cited Micah 5:2, confirming Bethlehem as the prophesied birthplace. Herod then secretly called the Wise Men, inquiring precisely about the time the star appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem with a sinister instruction:
And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
The Wise Men, guided by the star, found the young child with Mary His mother, and worshipped Him, offering gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. However, God, in His infinite wisdom and protection, intervened to thwart Herod's wicked plan. The Wise Men were divinely warned in a dream not to return to Herod, and they departed for their own country by another route, leaving Herod's scheme in ruins.
The Divine Warning and the Flight to Egypt
Herod's murderous intent was not merely foiled for the Wise Men; God also provided direct guidance for the Holy Family. As soon as the Wise Men had departed, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, delivering an urgent command that underscored the severity of the impending danger and the necessity of immediate action.
And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
Joseph, a righteous man obedient to God's will, did not hesitate. He arose in the middle of the night, taking Jesus and Mary, and embarked on the perilous journey to Egypt. This flight was not merely an escape; it was a fulfillment of prophecy, demonstrating God's sovereign hand guiding the events surrounding His Son's life from its very beginning. The sacred family found refuge in Egypt, a land that had once been a place of bondage for Israel, but now served as a temporary sanctuary for the true Israel, the Son of God Himself.
And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.
This verse directly references Hosea 11:1, which originally spoke of God calling Israel out of Egypt during the Exodus. Matthew's application here highlights the typological significance, presenting Jesus as the ultimate embodiment of Israel, recapitulating its history, and fulfilling its destiny.
The Horrific Decree: A Cry in Ramah
When Herod realized that the Wise Men had defied his instructions and mocked his authority, his rage knew no bounds. His paranoia, coupled with his insatiable lust for power, led him to unleash an unspeakable act of cruelty. Unable to pinpoint the exact location or identity of the "King of the Jews," and calculating based on the Wise Men's information about the star's appearance, Herod issued a decree to murder all male children in Bethlehem and its surrounding regions who were two years old and under.
Then 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 enquired of the wise men.
This horrific event, known as "The Slaughter of the Innocents," was a dark stain on human history, a stark manifestation of evil's desperation against divine light. It resulted in unimaginable grief and sorrow for the families of Bethlehem. Matthew records that this tragic event, too, was a fulfillment of prophecy, specifically from the prophet Jeremiah:
Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying,
In Rama 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.
The original context of Jeremiah 31:15 refers to the lamentation of the Israelite mothers (personified by Rachel, the matriarch buried near Bethlehem) as their children were carried away into Babylonian captivity. Matthew applies this lament to the anguish of the mothers in Bethlehem, whose children were violently taken from them by Herod's murderous decree. It powerfully conveys the depth of their suffering and the profound tragedy of the event.
God's Protection and Prophetic Fulfillment
Despite the widespread devastation caused by Herod's decree, God's divine plan for His Son remained unhindered. Jesus, the promised Messiah, was safely in Egypt, protected by the very same God who had warned Joseph. This episode vividly illustrates God's absolute sovereignty over human evil and His unwavering commitment to His redemptive purposes. No earthly king, no matter how powerful or ruthless, could thwart the will of the Almighty. The flight to Egypt ensured that the Christ child would live to fulfill His mission of salvation.
The dual fulfillment of prophecy—"Out of Egypt have I called my son" (Hosea 11:1 applied in Matthew 2:15) and "Rachel weeping for her children" (Jeremiah 31:15 applied in Matthew 2:18)—highlights Matthew's theological agenda: to present Jesus as the promised Messiah, whose life perfectly aligns with and fulfills the Old Testament scriptures. These events underscore that even in the midst of profound suffering and apparent chaos, God is working out His perfect plan, ensuring the safety of His Son and the eventual salvation of humanity.
The Return to Israel and Nazareth
After a period of time, Herod the Great died, bringing an end to his reign of terror. Once again, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, instructing him to return to the land of Israel, for those who sought the young child's life were dead.
But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,
Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life.
Joseph obeyed, but upon hearing that Archelaus, Herod's son, reigned in Judea in his father's place, he was afraid to go there. Again, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the regions of Galilee, settling in the town of Nazareth. This, too, was a fulfillment of prophecy, though more general in its nature, as Matthew states:
And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.
While no single Old Testament verse explicitly states, "He shall be called a Nazarene," scholars understand this as a reference to the various prophetic passages that speak of the Messiah being despised or of humble origins (e.g., Isaiah 53:3). Nazareth was a despised town in Galilee, and to be called a Nazarene was often a term of derision (John 1:46). Thus, Jesus' upbringing in Nazareth further emphasized His humble beginnings and the rejection He would face, aligning with the prophetic portrait of the suffering servant.
Theological Significance: God's Sovereignty and Protection
The events surrounding the Slaughter of the Innocents and the Flight to Egypt are not merely historical accounts; they are profound theological statements. They powerfully demonstrate several key truths about God and His plan for humanity:
- God's Sovereignty: Even amidst human evil and tyranny, God remains in control. Herod's rage and destructive power were ultimately futile against God's predetermined plan to protect His Son and bring forth salvation.
- Divine Protection: God actively intervenes to protect His chosen ones. Joseph's obedience to divine warnings, conveyed through dreams, highlights the importance of heeding God's guidance, especially in times of danger.
- Fulfillment of Prophecy: Matthew meticulously links these events to Old Testament prophecies, affirming Jesus' identity as the long-awaited Messiah. Every detail of His early life, even the tragic ones, was part of God's unfolding redemptive narrative.
- The Cost of Redemption: The slaughter of innocent children underscores the profound evil that Christ came to conquer. It reminds us of the darkness that pervades a world without God and the immense cost of bringing light into that darkness. The suffering of these innocents, though not redemptive in itself, points to the ultimate sacrifice of the truly innocent Lamb of God.
- Jesus' Identification with Humanity: From His humble birth to His forced displacement as a refugee, Jesus experienced the harsh realities of human suffering, persecution, and vulnerability. This early experience foreshadows His later suffering and demonstrates His complete identification with the human condition, making Him a compassionate High Priest who understands our infirmities (Hebrews 4:15).
In conclusion, the narrative of the Slaughter of the Innocents and the Flight to Egypt, as recorded in Matthew 2, is a testament to God's meticulous providence and unwavering commitment to His Son's mission. It reveals the depths of human depravity and the boundless extent of divine protection, ensuring that the Messiah would live to accomplish the redemption of all who believe.