Wrested Scriptures

Resurrection
Common
Trinity
Soul
Heaven
Hell
Satan/Demons
"Saved"
Baptism
Resurrection
  Psalm 50:5
  Matthew 2:17,18
  John 5:28,29
  1 Cor. 7:14
  1 Cor. 15:22
  1 Cor. 15:52
  Philippians 4:3
  Hebrews 13:20
  1 John 1:9
  1 John 2:2
  Revelation 20:5
Antichrist

Unique
Catholic
Mormon
SDA
JW
British Israel
Church
of Christ
Pentecostal
Islam

Science
Miracles
Evolution
Creation
Carbon Dating

Inspiration
Partial
Contradictions
& Inaccuracies

Matthew 2:17, 18
"Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not."

Problem:
This passage is quoted by J.W.'s in support of their belief that children will be raised to a life of opportunity in the kingdom of God. It is reasoned by them, that Jer. 31:15,16 indicates resurrection cannot be limited to the "responsible" since these babes will come back from the land of the enemy and Rachel will be rewarded for her labours.1

Solution:
  1. "The land of the enemy" (Jer. 31:16) is not the grave but the countries in which natural Israel has been scattered. This is indicated by the context:
    1. Natural Israel is punished for unfaithfulness to Yahweh. (vs. 15, 18, 28 cf. also 30:12-15; 32-42).
    2. Yahweh will extend forgiveness to unfaithful Israel. ("I will build thee, and thou shalt be built" Jer. 31:3, 4; "I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow." vs. 13; "I will surely have mercy upon him {Ephraim} saith the LORD" vs. 20 cf. 30:17).
    3. Natural Israel will be restored to the land of Israel. (Jer. 31:8, 10, 28, also vs. 11-13, 21).

  2. Rachel and Leah "did build the house of Israel". (Ruth 4:11). In this sense Rachel is the "mother" of Israel. Some of her sons "are not" because of Yahweh's punishments through Herod. But comfort is extended to Rachel (Jer. 31:16) with the promise that her scattered sons will return from the lands of the enemy to the land of Israel (cf. Ezek. 36, 37). This passage has nothing to do with the resurrection of babies.

  3. The destiny of children who die before the age of accountability is illustrated in the death of David's child by Bathsheba: "While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether God will be gracious to me, that the child may live? But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me." (2 Sam. 12:22, 23 cf. Acts 2:34). See also Job 10:18, 19; 3:11-13.
Footnotes:
  1. See "The Watchtower", (August, 1962), No. 15, Vol. LXXXIII p. 475. Return