Word - "Rachel Weeps" (May 10, 2009)

Word – "Rachel Weeps"

P#30

Re: Hope For Your Future

May 10, 2009

On May 10, 2009, I heard: “Rachel weeps."

Rache l means “sheep.”

Based on Jeremiah, there is good and bad in this word.

(15) Thus says the LORD, "A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping. Rachel

is weeping for her children ; she refuses to be comforted for her children, because they are no

more." (16) Thus says the LORD, "Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears;

for your work will be rewarded," declares the LORD, "And they will return from the land of the

enemy. (17) " There is hope for your future ," declares the LORD, "and your children will return

to their own territory. (Jeremiah 31:15-17 NASB)

(18) "I have surely heard Ephraim grieving, 'You have chastised me, and I was chastised, like

an untrained calf; bring me back that I may be restored, for You are the LORD my God. (19) 'For

after I turned back, I repented; and after I was instructed, I smote on my thigh; I was ashamed

and also humiliated because I bore the reproach of my youth.' (20) "Is Ephraim My dear son?

Is he a delightful child? Indeed, as often as I have spoken against him, I certainly still

remember him; therefore My heart yearns for him; I will surely have mercy on him,"

declares the LORD. (Jeremiah 31:18-20 NASB)

The Lord's word was repeated by Matthew in reference to King Herod killing the children of

Israel in a failed attempt to eliminate the Messiah and the King of Judah.

(16) Then when Herod saw that he had been tricked by the magi, he became very enraged, and

sent and slew all the male children who were in Bethlehem and all its vicinity, from two years old

and under, according to the time which he had determined from the magi. (17) Then what had

been spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: (18) "A VOICE WAS HEARD IN

RAMAH, WEEPING AND GREAT MOURNING, RACHEL WEEPING FOR HER CHILDREN;

AND SHE REFUSED TO BE COMFORTED, BECAUSE THEY WERE NO MORE." (Matthew

2:16-18 NASB)

Surely, this was not good; but then again, the world was introduced to the Savior and the mercy

of God upon all mankind.

In Jeremiah's day, God's judgment fell on both ancient Israel (Ephraim) and ancient Judah, and,

to those living in that day, it appeared that all was lost. But the Lord loves all His sheep and

promises that, though judgment is necessary and can be quite painful, there is hope in the

future for His sheep.

As Paul wrote: For God has shut up all in disobedience so that He may show mercy to all

(Romans 11:32 NASB).

I am sure that "Rachel weeps" relates to what is coming upon the earth, especially in relation to

His sheep; but the encouragement is that there is hope in our future, even if all seems to be lost.