Author: Kevin Corbin

  • The Fallout – the Bethlehem massacre

    In the last of our three-part series about the wise men who visited  Christ, we look at the fallout from their visit.’ the massacre of Bethlehem.

    Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: “A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.” Matthew 2:16-18 ESV

    Herod the Great, ruler of the Kingdom of Judea, has been praised for his building projects (including rebuilding the temple), but also known for his rule by tyranny and violence.

    It would not have been out of character for him to slaughter a few Jewish children if he thought one of them might be a threat to his rule. The event isn’t recorded outside the Bible, but the slaughter of perhaps a few dozen children in those days wasn’t anything out of the ordinary. It wouldn’t likely have been significant enough to record.

    It wasn’t a surprise to God. God knew that during the Bethlehem massacre, innocent lives would be taken in response to the birth of Jesus. He warned of it centuries before it happened. I have no doubt those innocents are safely with Jesus now.

    The slaughter shows us the great lengths the enemy will go to in keeping Jesus from His rightful place. He may have influenced Herod, or Herod’s own insecurities and nature may have led to this tragedy with no outside influence.

    The evil in our hearts knows no bounds. We are repulsed by the thought of the slaughter of the innocents, but perhaps in Herod’s place, we might have done the same thing.

    This tragic event reminds us that evil cannot win. Christ triumphed even over death and the grave. Through Him, we can have reconciliation to the Father.

    That’s worth rejoicing for.

    Hallelu Yah (Praise God)

    Be blessed, 

    Kevin

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  • The Gifts of the Wise Men Explained

    Yesterday, I wrote about the number of Magi who attended Jesus  a year or so after he was born. I mentioned the fact that their visit was a fulfillment of prophecy, but also prophetic.

    I showed where they were prophetic fulfillment, but not how they were prophetic. Let’s consider that today.

    We know that the magi (not kings) brought gifts. We don’t know how many gifts they brought, but the Scriptures tell us of three.

    Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary, his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way. Matthew 2:7-12 ESV

    At a minimum, these distinguished visitors brought an offering of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

    Each of these gifts tells us something about the Christ. 

    Gold was costly and was generally not given to commoners. God was often a symbol for deity, and pagans covered their idols with it. Even the Ark of the Covenant was covered in gold (Exodus 25:10-17). God was a gift for the gods. Jesus is God.

    One source says of the frankincense, “Frankincense is a white resin or gum. It is obtained from a tree by making incisions in the bark and allowing the gum to flow out. It is highly fragrant when burned and was therefore used in worship, where it was burned as a pleasant offering to God (Exodus 30:34).”

    Frankincense symbolizes holiness and righteousness. In a few short years, Christ would give himself up as an offering for sin.

    Myrrh is a spice similar to frankincense that was often used as an embalming spice.  That drink was given to Christ on the cross (Mark 15:23, Matthew 27:34). It symbolizes affliction and suffering. Our Lord was afflicted and suffered on the cross when he was crucified.

    The gifts of the wise men acknowledged his kingship and pointed to his death and suffering.

    They may not have been believers, but God used the astrologers/astronomers from the east to reveal who His Son is.

    Hallelu Yah (Praise God)

    Be blessed, 

    Kevin

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