TODAY'S LESSON ...

One more Lesson about "Ramah," an ancient Bible city. It's the location the author of the Gospel of Matthew chose to name in reference to Jesus' exile in Egypt. When our Lord was less than two years old!

They, Joseph and Mary and Jesus, are already in Africa when Matthew takes up here. "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. 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. 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." Matthew 2:16-20

The reference to "Rama" is part of a quotation from the Old Testament, Jeremiah 31:15. "Thus saith the LORD; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rachel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not."

By the way, "Ramah" in Hebrew means "hill, high place, height." It's derived from the verb "rum," meaning "to rise, to go up, to be exalted." The definition alone "hints" at something about Jesus. He is a Boy, though the very Son of God, Who was born to "poor" parents. He is a not a Member of society's "high and mighty" class. He has been rushed to Egypt by His parents because the King hates Him!

But some day He, this little Boy, will be exalted! He will rule this world, as King of kings and Lord of lords! No wonder "Rama" has entered Matthew's vocabulary in this context!

Furthermore, the "setting" in Jeremiah 31 is unique too. Verse 31, Matthew's Spirit guided "choice," is one of the few "sad" places in the whole chapter! Everything else is bright, victorious! As if to say, "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." Psalm 30:5

In other words, with the young Jesus in Egypt, things are dangerous, secretive, bleak! But in time, when God fulfills His Plan for Israel and the Nations of the world, "joy" will indeed flood the land!

As I said earlier in this series of lessons, Matthew seems to be writing material that has several "layers" of meaning! That may be true of everything the Holy Spirit composes! "Rama," I'm amazed at what the name of that little place implies!

And hopefully we have all learned fresh truths about how the New Testament employs, both by directly quoting and by obliquely alluding, the Old Testament so successfully!

Wow!

               --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

These Lesson from Matthew 2 on Bible Hermeneutics are being carefully archived right HERE on the Website. Happy studying!

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