Thursday 28 December 2017

Psalm: Psalm 124

Background

This passage with the escape to Egypt and the Massacre of the Infants occurs only in Matthew’s Gospel. We assume that Herod is feeling threatened by the potential for a rival, which is why Joseph is warned in a dream to leave. Verse 15 quotes Hosea 11:1 and Matthew reframes the story of the people of Israel in the story of Jesus. So the people of Israel went down to Egypt and then God brought them out of Egypt. So, in the same way, Matthew shows Jesus going down to Egypt and then God bringing him out.

While still horrific, the population of Bethlehem would not have been very large, which might explain why there are no other references to the death of the infants – the numbers were not big and in a violent, occupied country might have escaped much notice.

Verse 18 is a quote from Jeremiah 31:15, the place where Rachel would be weeping is uncertain, possibly at her tomb but that location is disputed. Hence, Matthew can locate it for children of Bethlehem.

It is worth reminding ourselves that unlike most nativity plays and scenes, everything to do with the Magi happens a year or two after the birth of Jesus.

Also, regardless of the historical accuracy of both the escape and the massacre, if we read this with the eyes of liberation theology we can see how it brings the gospel story directly into the lives of so many people today. Many people can identify and connect deeply with Jesus becoming a refugee and fleeing a massacre. This Christmas that might be particularly true for those who have fled Syria or the Rohingya fleeing Burma. It helps us connect with biblical passages such as from Isaiah 55, 56 and 66. It fits with a strong understanding of God being on the side of the marginalised and excluded as well as Matthew’s intended echoes of the people of Israel in Egypt and the Exodus.

To Ponder

• Is the escape to Egypt an important part of the birth narrative for you? Why?
• The Gospels frequently connect Jesus to the history of the people of Israel (eg 40 years in the desert/40 days in the desert). How significant is this to you and why?
• What relevance do you think the Massacre of the Infants has to what is happening today in places like Syria and Burma?