When Herod realized that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated. So he sent soldiers with orders to slaughter every baby boy two years old and younger in Bethlehem and throughout the surrounding countryside, based on the time frame he was given from interrogating the wise men.

Matthew 2:16, The Passion Translation

Herod knew the prophecy about the coming king and the reason why the wise men came to him. But unlike the wise men who sought to worship Jesus, Herod sought to kill Jesus. This led to an appalling massacre of young children.

You may ask. "Why did God allow it to happen?"

In describing the cowardly atrocity, Matthew quoted the Prophet Jeremiah:

I hear the screams of anguish, weeping, and wailing in Ramah. Rachel is weeping uncontrollably for her children. And she refuses to be comforted, because they are dead and gone.

Matthew 2:18, The Passion Translation

From a surface reading, we do not sense a message of hope and yet if we are to read the whole prophecy found in Jeremiah 31, we discover a precious promise:

The Lord proclaims: Keep your voice from crying and your eyes from weeping, because your endurance will be rewarded, declares the Lord. They will return from the land of their enemy! There’s hope for your future, declares the Lord. Your children will return home!

Jeremiah 31:16-17, Common English Version

Rachel represents grieving mothers who mourn for their children. Even as she cries, God comforts her with a resurrection promise that He will reverse her loss. God gave the prophecy so that we can find comfort and peace while we wait on Him to bring His Word to pass.

I want to say to the "weeping Rachels" who may literally or figuratively lose your children at some time, not knowing where they are or if they are safe. Even as you grieve, grieve with hope and faith. Put your confidence in God that your children will return to you. Remember they are not just yours, they also belong to God. Whatever it is, God knows how to bring them back. Between now and then, keep believing. Keep on praying.

The Enemy may seek to kill and destroy—Jesus however came to give life and life to the fullest. In other words, God has the final say about our future, not our circumstances. And God's Word will not return to God without accomplishing what He ordains.

The loss of loved ones, especially young children may be painful and inconsolable. But you can trust God to deftly weave hope amidst the hurt, a future despite the injustice and make a way where there seems no way.