Jewells of Thought

I am not certain when I first heard about the actions of Hamas at the Kibbutz a special community by the Gaza Wall I believe. How could any man do the list of atrocities to these families especially to the most tender of us… infants are unspeakable.

Initially two Bible stories came to mind. However, I should start chronologically right!

I think so at least.

Egypt. In the slave community of Goshen a man and his wife and their two children welcomed a baby boy. To say welcomed is true but fear of retribution was very palpable among the family. The edict from the midwives was clear Shiprah and Puah were to kill any baby boy or send them to the crocodiles.

They had to report to the King of Egypt, some believe it was King Tut others believe Amenhotep or even the Woman King Hatshepsut was the authority. Of course, they believed they were the ultimate god themselves and forced their people to treat them accordingly. The midwives had a clever answer to report to this King. The Jewish women could birth so quickly they hid the baby boys before these two women could get there. These Jewish slaves worked hard and did as they were told well, but when it came to their children and the promise that God would one day deliver them they couldn’t give up that hope.

The mother of this infant was uncertain about the outcome of her idea, but she could not lose this son to a sword or the crocodiles. Moses became the greatest leader Israel ever had because his parents believed in Jehovah firmly. What a ride though and to become a Prince of Egypt.

Do you think he had some vague memories in his dreams.

The next story is from 1 Kings 3:16-18 under King Solomon’s reign. The idea that a woman could steal an infant from a mother then goes before the King for his final decision is a scary thought. The real mother had no idea what the King would say. ‘Split the baby’ is the ultimate declaration of the King. Fortunately the real mother lovingly said to give the other woman the infant.

This infant was spared a life of literally being stolen at birth. Then spared the horrific idea of being split by King Solomon. Still though, the thought is still a bit harsh to fathom for any parent. Even the illegitimate mother was volleying for the split method that was proclaimed. Disgusting for an apparent mother to want for a child.

Of course the story of the Nativity is well known, but not exactly all the facts. The Kings were not there at Christ’s birth they came later on. They mean possibly more than just 3 men of Orient. God chose this young couple only betrothed not fully married and yet they were legally now as they headed to Bethlehem.

The amazing story of Christ’s birth in a manger is a beautiful scene we enjoy at Christmastime. The truth of God’s love for the world and how intricate this story truly is is remarkable. The dichotomy of Herod’s actions and the life taken because of this birth is the sadness of this story. Although these babies, never forget this: they are with Christ. These tiny innocents lost are not lost to God.

The little boy who was 4 years old who eventually wrote about his experiences in a book. He depicts a scenario his mother didn’t tell him about to her from his time with Christ. He met his sister that absolutely struck me, something that had never crossed my mind until I read the book.

An amazingly beautiful thought… Christ is taking care of the infants of this world’s underbelly of sinful acts. No matter how these children show up in Christ’s vision when they awake they are always loved and well taken care of when they arrive in heaven’s domain.