Mat 2:16-18

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.

Then what had been spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled:

“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.”

Herod was furious because the magi did not report back.
Remember, the Lord had told them to return not to Herod and to go home another way.

Because of his rage and fear of this King, Herod had all the boys in Bethlehem and all its vicinity aged two and under killed.

He used this age based upon the initial report of the magi as to when they had seen the star.
That is the reason I said earlier that they had likely seen the star a year or so before.
A man such as Herod would leave himself some room as to age.

Innocent died.
Evil is ever present.

This had been prophesied…

Jer 31:15

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.”

(This gives some interesting insight into how the Lord uses His prophetic Word.)

The region cried in pain and bitter weeping at the loss of their children.
“Rachel” wept.
They refused to be comforted.

Yet, the great Comforter was born.
He was now headed to Egypt.

The same type of thing will happen when the Lord returns.
Prior to His return there will be great persecution, tribulation and death for Israel and the church.

Are you ready?