12/9-Jeremiah 31:15,16 - Hope in weeping
(Rachel weeping- Charles Wilson Peale 1772)
Jeremiah 31:15
15 This is what the LORD says: "A voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping,Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more." 16 This is what the LORD says: "Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for your work will be rewarded," declares the LORD. "They will return from the land of the enemy.
Calvin abridged: At first the Prophet describes the desolation of the land, when it is emptied of its inhabitants. Secondly, he adds a comfort- that God would restore the captives from exile, that the land would be inhabited again. The Prophet uses personification of Rachel who was in the grave, and he represents her as lamenting. Rachel was buried at Bethlehem, but this was not why Jeremiah or the evangelists chose this image. Rachel was viewed as weeping for the tribe of Benjamin which was now extinct in the land. This was quoted in Matthew 2:18 as applying allegorically to those infants who were murdered by Herod. “Your work will be rewarded” – means that God will put an end to Rachel’s tears. The labor here is similar to that of a woman giving birth- who does not miscarry but whose labor bears fruit. The people would be restored to the land, which will stop Rachel’s weeping.
Thoughts: Often we think advent and Christmas mean only good. But what Herod did to try to preserve his worldly crown- kill the newborn King, was evil. My experience is that when you try to do good, there are always those who speak evil because of it, or react with selfishness, pride, or evil. I'll never forget one of my previous church's renovating someone's house just at Christmas. One person complained that they didn't deserve it and quit. A neighbor became jealous and angry that we didn't choose their house. This great good of God's coming down was taken as a threat by some. Even today, many would just as soon Christians quit singing about it, and not mention "Christmas" in their presence (enforced by some schools and stores), and Christmas trees are called "holiday" trees. It is amazing that the birth of a baby- makes some so angry. Likewise, squelching our celebration makes some of us angry. Yet the birth still happens. As Rachel wept over the loss of the tribe of Benjamin and its progeny, so those in Bethlehem weep. So we weep today that the Herods of the world want to squish our celebration and snuff out our joy so they can remain comfortable. Yet the baby is still born. God's plan goes on. Despite the world's complaining and fighting against it, God's plan goes on- and many will be helped, healed, and saved for eternity.
Prayer: Today, Lord, give me hope. Hope even in the worst problems of life. Thank you for the hope of Bethlehem that quiets her sadness and weeping.
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