The thought of children dying...in any way, has often gripped the hearts of many who hear of such events, who witness the horror of innocent loss, or have suffered the loss their very own children. It is a type of extreme weeping and mourning that has been heard through the corridors of time throughout the history of mankind.....
and at times yields no explanation.
In recent times we have seen the horrific tragedies of Chaldean Christians living in Mosul Iraq...fleeing their homes, needing supplies to survive, and the slaughter of their innocent children. Yet, this is not a new thing happening in history...for history depicts these type of scenarios as far back as 2700 years ago, the Sacred Scriptures describing a scene in the book of Jeremiah.
Rachel, the wife of Jacob...the granddaughter-n-law of our Christian patriarch Abraham, has been identified as the "mother of Israel". Rachel had 2 sons ( 2 sons of the 12 sons of Jacob who became known as the 12 tribes of Israel), Joseph and Benjamin, and she died giving birth to Benjamin...she happened to be travelling to Bethlehem.
Mankind and universal suffering has been around since ancient times. Many have questioned God on why He allows it, yet even God's own have not always escaped the pain in suffering. In this article, I am not here to discuss the reasons of suffering, I do have other articles that have made a humble attempt in discussing this subject, yet the one thing I have come to realize...it isn't God who does these things and the gift of Free Will has caused many to abuse this God given gift.
Rachel's story is in the very first book of the Scriptures...the book of Genesis. In chapter 35, verses 16-20 it reads: " Jacob and Rachel had left Bethel and now had a little ways to go...for they were on their way to Bethlehem ( Ephrath...perhaps 20 miles). Yet, as they were travelling, Rachel's pains of childbirth had begun and it became evident she was having a hard labor.
While Rachel was in intense labor, Rachel's midwife spoke to her with these words: " Don't be afraid Rachel...for you are having a wonderful boy!" Yet, as Rachel was giving birth, her labor was too hard and now she was at the point of death. As she was about to die, Rachel spoke and said the new born baby boy should be named "Benoni"...meaning "son of my sorrow". Yet, Jacob thought better to call his son Benjamin, meaning "son of the right hand".
In Genesis, the relationship of Jacob to Rachel was a true romance...a love that started the first moment Jacob had laid his eyes on Rachel. Jacob had worked for Rachel's father Laban for 7 years before he was able to receive the hand of Rachel in marriage, and that coming through Laban tricking Jacob and then Jacob having to work for Laban another 7 years.
Yet in only a few short years, this romance came to an end...for now Rachel had passed away. In some ways, Rachel did not get to see her dreams fulfilled...her life of hope cut short. Rachel did not get to see her children grow up, she did not get to hold her grandchildren in her arms, and she could no longer share her life with Jacob.
And the prophet Jeremiah, over a millennium after the death of Rachel, now brings Rachel to the forefront once more. Rachel to the nation of Judea/Israel had become known as the "mother of Israel"...perhaps due to her tragic death while giving birth and her story of romance with Jacob.
Jeremiah was also seeing suffering...the suffering of human life. In 597 B.C. the great king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar, had conquered Judah and destroyed the city of Jerusalem, including The Temple. As a result, the people of Jerusalem had been gathered to obey what the Babylonians wished them to do. Some of the Jewish people were set free to stay in the area, many were ordered to their deaths including children, and the rest would be taken away as slaves to Babylon. Many of the surviving children died on the way to Babylon from pestilence, lack of food, or by the forced labor as slaves to the Babylonians. { Babylon was located approximately 53 miles south of Baghdad Iraq and is now present day Hillah, Babil Governorat. Today there are only ruins of the great Babylon although Sadaam Hussein did at one time make an attempt to restore the ruins that remain.}
In Jeremiah 31: 15-17 it reads: The Lord spoke to me once again: " Listen!...Listen! There is a voice...coming from Ramah...it is the voice of a woman and she is weeping...bitterly! It is the voice of Rachel...and she can not be comforted...for her children are no more. Yet I say...the time has come for her to restrain from her weeping...and her eyes from overflowing with tears. I have heard her mourning...and the agony of her tears from a broken heart. I give My Word to Rachel...and to all you left in Jerusalem...you will see your children again. They will all return to you..to the land your enemy now dwells. Begin to accept in your hearts the Hope I give you this day...for the day will come when all shall return home...for this is My Decree."
Later in the Sacred Scriptures, the name of Rachel returns. This time it is recorded in the New Testament, in the Gospel of Matthew. Jesus had come to become one of us...and was born in Bethlehem. His family had now been forced to flee to Egypt, and again, children in Ramah had been killed...by King Herod, in a mad search to put the baby Messiah...to His death.
Matthew 2:18 reads: " In Ramah...a voice is heard once more...and again the weeping is deep and the mourning is great. It is Rachel...crying for her children...she refuses to be comforted...because they were no more."
And now in 2014...we hear the cries...the cries of the Chaldean Christians in Mozul and other northern areas of Iraq, and once again...the killing of the innocence is right before our eyes. I am sure Rachel has again arrived on the scene...and she is mourning...and in great tears, for their children are no more.
Like Rachel, who can comfort the deep mournings and tears of the human heart? Yet, as when the Lord spoke to Jeremiah 2700 years ago...we must put our trust, our faith, and our hope...on His Promise...for all those who suffer...including the children of innocence...we shall see one another again...in our homeland...the very essence of our faith...we shall all be together...forever...with Him!
Let us keep those who suffer for Christ Jesus in Iraq, Syria, and surrounding areas in our prayers, along with all those who suffer in that region of the world...for one day...those who trust in Him will be together...this is God's Decree.
A Prayer
To the God who knows mourning, who understands our tears, and who hears the cries of our hearts...
We join our hearts as one...and lift up our brothers and sisters who suffer in Mosul and surrounding areas. We set our hearts on You...and on the Hope of Your Decree given long ago through the prophet Jeremiah. Rescue your people who have fled to the mountains, grant them food, water, medical supplies, and the breakthrough of the Kingdom of God in the midst of this hell on earth. We join our hearts as one...bring to an end this horrible slaughter of innocent people. Let us see the fulfillment of Your Decree...in particular...that the children will come running to their parents once more...in Your Holy and True Name...be glorified. Amen.
and at times yields no explanation.
In recent times we have seen the horrific tragedies of Chaldean Christians living in Mosul Iraq...fleeing their homes, needing supplies to survive, and the slaughter of their innocent children. Yet, this is not a new thing happening in history...for history depicts these type of scenarios as far back as 2700 years ago, the Sacred Scriptures describing a scene in the book of Jeremiah.
Rachel, the wife of Jacob...the granddaughter-n-law of our Christian patriarch Abraham, has been identified as the "mother of Israel". Rachel had 2 sons ( 2 sons of the 12 sons of Jacob who became known as the 12 tribes of Israel), Joseph and Benjamin, and she died giving birth to Benjamin...she happened to be travelling to Bethlehem.
Mankind and universal suffering has been around since ancient times. Many have questioned God on why He allows it, yet even God's own have not always escaped the pain in suffering. In this article, I am not here to discuss the reasons of suffering, I do have other articles that have made a humble attempt in discussing this subject, yet the one thing I have come to realize...it isn't God who does these things and the gift of Free Will has caused many to abuse this God given gift.
Rachel's story is in the very first book of the Scriptures...the book of Genesis. In chapter 35, verses 16-20 it reads: " Jacob and Rachel had left Bethel and now had a little ways to go...for they were on their way to Bethlehem ( Ephrath...perhaps 20 miles). Yet, as they were travelling, Rachel's pains of childbirth had begun and it became evident she was having a hard labor.
While Rachel was in intense labor, Rachel's midwife spoke to her with these words: " Don't be afraid Rachel...for you are having a wonderful boy!" Yet, as Rachel was giving birth, her labor was too hard and now she was at the point of death. As she was about to die, Rachel spoke and said the new born baby boy should be named "Benoni"...meaning "son of my sorrow". Yet, Jacob thought better to call his son Benjamin, meaning "son of the right hand".
In Genesis, the relationship of Jacob to Rachel was a true romance...a love that started the first moment Jacob had laid his eyes on Rachel. Jacob had worked for Rachel's father Laban for 7 years before he was able to receive the hand of Rachel in marriage, and that coming through Laban tricking Jacob and then Jacob having to work for Laban another 7 years.
Yet in only a few short years, this romance came to an end...for now Rachel had passed away. In some ways, Rachel did not get to see her dreams fulfilled...her life of hope cut short. Rachel did not get to see her children grow up, she did not get to hold her grandchildren in her arms, and she could no longer share her life with Jacob.
And the prophet Jeremiah, over a millennium after the death of Rachel, now brings Rachel to the forefront once more. Rachel to the nation of Judea/Israel had become known as the "mother of Israel"...perhaps due to her tragic death while giving birth and her story of romance with Jacob.
Jeremiah was also seeing suffering...the suffering of human life. In 597 B.C. the great king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar, had conquered Judah and destroyed the city of Jerusalem, including The Temple. As a result, the people of Jerusalem had been gathered to obey what the Babylonians wished them to do. Some of the Jewish people were set free to stay in the area, many were ordered to their deaths including children, and the rest would be taken away as slaves to Babylon. Many of the surviving children died on the way to Babylon from pestilence, lack of food, or by the forced labor as slaves to the Babylonians. { Babylon was located approximately 53 miles south of Baghdad Iraq and is now present day Hillah, Babil Governorat. Today there are only ruins of the great Babylon although Sadaam Hussein did at one time make an attempt to restore the ruins that remain.}
In Jeremiah 31: 15-17 it reads: The Lord spoke to me once again: " Listen!...Listen! There is a voice...coming from Ramah...it is the voice of a woman and she is weeping...bitterly! It is the voice of Rachel...and she can not be comforted...for her children are no more. Yet I say...the time has come for her to restrain from her weeping...and her eyes from overflowing with tears. I have heard her mourning...and the agony of her tears from a broken heart. I give My Word to Rachel...and to all you left in Jerusalem...you will see your children again. They will all return to you..to the land your enemy now dwells. Begin to accept in your hearts the Hope I give you this day...for the day will come when all shall return home...for this is My Decree."
Later in the Sacred Scriptures, the name of Rachel returns. This time it is recorded in the New Testament, in the Gospel of Matthew. Jesus had come to become one of us...and was born in Bethlehem. His family had now been forced to flee to Egypt, and again, children in Ramah had been killed...by King Herod, in a mad search to put the baby Messiah...to His death.
Matthew 2:18 reads: " In Ramah...a voice is heard once more...and again the weeping is deep and the mourning is great. It is Rachel...crying for her children...she refuses to be comforted...because they were no more."
And now in 2014...we hear the cries...the cries of the Chaldean Christians in Mozul and other northern areas of Iraq, and once again...the killing of the innocence is right before our eyes. I am sure Rachel has again arrived on the scene...and she is mourning...and in great tears, for their children are no more.
Like Rachel, who can comfort the deep mournings and tears of the human heart? Yet, as when the Lord spoke to Jeremiah 2700 years ago...we must put our trust, our faith, and our hope...on His Promise...for all those who suffer...including the children of innocence...we shall see one another again...in our homeland...the very essence of our faith...we shall all be together...forever...with Him!
Let us keep those who suffer for Christ Jesus in Iraq, Syria, and surrounding areas in our prayers, along with all those who suffer in that region of the world...for one day...those who trust in Him will be together...this is God's Decree.
A Prayer
To the God who knows mourning, who understands our tears, and who hears the cries of our hearts...
We join our hearts as one...and lift up our brothers and sisters who suffer in Mosul and surrounding areas. We set our hearts on You...and on the Hope of Your Decree given long ago through the prophet Jeremiah. Rescue your people who have fled to the mountains, grant them food, water, medical supplies, and the breakthrough of the Kingdom of God in the midst of this hell on earth. We join our hearts as one...bring to an end this horrible slaughter of innocent people. Let us see the fulfillment of Your Decree...in particular...that the children will come running to their parents once more...in Your Holy and True Name...be glorified. Amen.
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