by jimwalton » Sat Dec 26, 2015 9:08 pm
There are real reasons, and reasons that have symbolism. Herod was a violent, mentally sick, and bitterly jealous man. He had committed other murders and assassinations also, all to protect his throne. Anyone whom he suspected might be thinking to take over this throne was killed. Based on guesses of the size of the population of Bethlehem at the time, and how many children under the age of 2, it is estimated that 15-20 children were killed.
Symbolically, though, there are several reasons as well. The first is the irony that the Prince of Peace, who has come to save the world, has to leave the country to run for his life. Already we are learning that his coming is not welcomed by all, and this is one of many attempts on his life before he is actually executed. Another is a prophecy that a prophet like Moses will come, and Moses also was saved from the slaughter of babies in his region (Ex. 1.15-2.10) by an obsessed king.
There are real reasons, and reasons that have symbolism. Herod was a violent, mentally sick, and bitterly jealous man. He had committed other murders and assassinations also, all to protect his throne. Anyone whom he suspected might be thinking to take over this throne was killed. Based on guesses of the size of the population of Bethlehem at the time, and how many children under the age of 2, it is estimated that 15-20 children were killed.
Symbolically, though, there are several reasons as well. The first is the irony that the Prince of Peace, who has come to save the world, has to leave the country to run for his life. Already we are learning that his coming is not welcomed by all, and this is one of many attempts on his life before he is actually executed. Another is a prophecy that a prophet like Moses will come, and Moses also was saved from the slaughter of babies in his region (Ex. 1.15-2.10) by an obsessed king.