Scripture: "Then they journeyed from Bethel; and when there was still some distance to go to Ephrath, Rachel began to give birth and she suffered severe labor. When she was in severe labor the midwife said to her, “Do not fear, for now you have another son.” It came about as her soul was departing (for she died), that she named him Ben-oni; but his father called him Benjamin." Genesis 35:16-18 "...God said the Messiah would be called a Nazarene." Matthew 2:23 Application: Rachel died en route to Bethlehem while giving birth to a son. She and her husband Jacob were on the run, avoiding killers. (Genesis 35:5) As she died, Rachel named the boy Benoni (son of my suffering), but Rachel's husband Jacob called him Benjamin (my right-hand, or favorite son). Horror is so common in history and now. Slaughtering children in order to preserve a corrupt earthly position of power is about as awful as a horror story can get (we hope). Yet in spite of the horror, God's power prevails. Benjamin, that child, became head of one of the tribes of Israel, God's chosen people. God led Joseph, along with his new family of Mary and Jesus, from the grips of Herod's infanticide horror and into safety as refugees in Egypt. And later Joseph follows God's instruction again, returning to Nazareth (Matt 2:13)...yes, Nazareth, as in Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus, that once infant Refugee, saved us and is ready to save the whole world. Prayer: Lord, please deliver us from horrors. Deliver us to safety. We pray for refugees. Bring hope from horror. Amen. |
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