Matthew 2

A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children; and she refused to be comforted, because they were no more. Jer 31:15-17
This is a verse I am very familiar with; it is the verse we use in the beginning of the post-abortion ministry, letting the women know it is okay to weep and mourn for their babies. Here Matthew is using it again in Matt 2:18 because King Herod has just killed the boys in Bethleham under the age of 2. Matthew uses quotes from the Old Testament, 93, more than any other Gospel writers. His audience are people with Jewish background that knew very well the prophesy of old. And I love it...quotes from the old in the new shows continuity between the testaments and for me makes the Bible so alive!!
Herod knew the prophesy too, for he called the magi (kings) - who were also astronomers of the day - to ascertain the time that the star had first appeared to them. He was looking to see how old the baby might be and used that to come up with boys under two. Wow. Yet, as always, God's plan is not to be thwarted.
The church triumphant, is alive and well!!
Joseph moved his young family twice by the advice of God speaking to him in a dream. I wish God would speak to me through dreams. I would like to believe that if God gave me a direction like that, I would take it.