When King Herod realized that the Magi were not coming back to give him the scoop on the new born king, he went into over reaction! Herod 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 of over reaction is going to make bigger and bigger swings if I don't stop myself! (Mind you, a total stall is bad too).

Are you surprised to find yourself identified as someone who over reacts too? Maybe not all the time. But you can recall times when you really were above and beyond what you know to be right, and were in fact, in over reaction, right? One more question; do you know how to deal with this when it happens again?

Yes, humble yourself before God, and those who suffered under your out-burst of anger. I know it is hard, but going through this process just a time or two can likely cure you of ever wanting to go that far again. The fear of having to go through the repentance and apology stages again will act as a deterrent.