Over Reaction!

Matthew 2:16-18

When King Herod realized that the Magi were not coming back to give him the scoop on the new born king, he was furious and gave orders to kill all baby boys up to toddlers of age two in Bethlehem and the area around it.

Joseph had already fled with Mary and Jesus, so they were safe, but many other homes were in deep mourning for their baby boys. This fulfilled a prophecy by the weeping prophet, Jeremiah, which he spoke centuries before; "A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more."

This didn't just happen to accommodate Jeremiah's sermon and make it come true. However, young families who knew of and understood that prophecy could make sure they lived elsewhere.

This does show up the wickedness of Herod, and the stupidity of over-reacting. Ouch! Sometimes I do that too! There are times I've over-reacted, and caused more trouble than there was before. (I never dreamed I'd be in the same class as that horrible Herod!)

This passage doesn't say what to do about this, but let's think for a minute. When someone implies I'm not working as hard as I should, I'm all over them with an angry reaction. Why? Because I know how many other things I'm doing, many of which I see as more important than the one item this person focused on. He judges me by his standard, and I judge myself by what I know, but I hold him accountable for all I know.

Now there is great danger that I'll punish the other person for not knowing all my priorities, and create another backlash of anger. This pendulum is going to make bigger and bigger swings if I don't stop myself! (Mind you, a total stall is bad too).

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