A few observations and reflections based on the Slaughter of the Innocents story in Matthew 2: (1) The authentic worship of Jesus has always been, and will always be, a disturbance and threat to worldly powers (vv 3, 16).
(2) The pursuit and preservation of power commonly results in violence toward the most vulnerable in society (v 16). (3) In particular, children have always been sacrificed at the altar of power (v 16).
(4) Herod is the New Pharaoh (cf Exod 1:22) and Jesus the New Moses who leads his people in a New Exodus and true Restoration (vv 15, 18; cf Jer 31:16-17). (5) Demonic schemes often hide behind counterfeit worship (v 8; cf Matt 26:49).
(6) When afflicted by heart-rending suffering—suffering endemic to the “exilic” period in which we now live (cf Jer 31)—the “refusal to be comforted” superficially and the insistence on grieving truly are righteous (v 18; cf Jer 6:14; 31:15).
(7) The Serpent and his Herodian seed wage violent warfare against the Seed of the woman (Gen 3:15a; cf Rev 12:5-6, 13-17), doing whatever possible to destroy God’s redemptive plan. But the plans of the Sovereign Lord stand firm forever (vv 12, 13, 19-20, 22).
(8) Joseph, Mary, and Jesus were refugees/sojourners in Egypt (vv 13-15, 19-20). According to the narrative, their flight to Egypt was not an ancillary incident; it was central to Christ’s identity as the true Israel (gêr; cf Exod 22:21; 23:9; ). We worship a Sojourner Savior.
(9) Jesus’ toddler years were shrouded by fear and dislocation (vv 13-15, 19-20, 22). Our high priest is well acquainted with our early-development grief and trauma (Isa 53:3).
