That which is most important in your life is inevitably what you will worship. Some travel great distances to see their favourite team, musician, relative or friend. Others enjoy a challenge and may venture far or embark on a pilgrimage. George Mallory famously and fascinatingly replied when asked why he sought to climb Mount Everest, “Because it’s there!” We must consider the motivation of the wise men to worship the Messiah since there is a God shaped hole within all of us, to either worship, sing praises to, or even inadvertently ascribe praise to the Lord for God’s creation by simply saying, “Oh-what a beautiful day!”
The characters present included the wise men, Herod the Great (73-4BC), the chief priests and the scribes. The wise men were magi, not necessarily kings but probably wealthy. They were possibly astrologers from the east, or Zoroastrians from Persia and would have been respected for their knowledge and wisdom. They may have had some insight passed down to them from Daniel who had lived in Babylon centuries previously. Some are of the opinion that they were a Mede tribe performing a priestly function whilst others think they may have come from Babylon or Arabia. Nonetheless whilst it is helpful to study the background and culture of those involved, it is of greater value to consider which direction they and we are heading spiritually and whether we have come to the light of the world.
In Egypt, Pharaoh summoned his wise men, sorcerers and magicians to perform their acts though Aaron’s rod was greater and swallowed up their rods (Exodus 7:12). In Babylon, Daniel’s wisdom and understanding was ten times better than all of the magicians and astrologers (Daniel 1:20). Some commentaries note the wise men may have been familiar with Daniel’s influence and possibly the prophecy from Numbers 24:17, “I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel.”
The above does not mean that Aaron and Daniel were simply better at what they did since astrology is not biblical and is never regarded as such in the Scriptures. Yet astrology is still around us today in newspapers, magazines, TV, internet, pubs, in conversation and some make a living out of it. I remember almost three decades ago reading Isaiah 47:12-13, recognising instantly how the Bible speaks today. “Stand now with your enchantments and the multitude of your sorceries,
in which you have labored from your youth—Perhaps you will be able to profit, perhaps you will prevail.You are wearied in the multitude of your counsels; let now the astrologers, the stargazers,
and the monthly prognosticators stand up and save you from what shall come upon you.”
Sadly, astrology is also an industry and of course predictions are typically vague, ambivalent and open to broad interpretation. Even from a rationalist perspective, identical twins will not chart exactly the same course, even though the methodology employed might suggest otherwise! Contrary to human wisdom or the magic arts, God’s wisdom is entirely accurate and not for profit.
There were several rulers called ‘Herod,’ but we must keep in mind that Herod the Great was an Edomite, a descendant of Esau and we must remember the conflict between the descendants of Jacob and Esau. This continued when the King of Edom refused the children of Israel passage through Edom (Numbers 20:14-21) . The book of Obadiah details the struggle between Jacob and Esau’s ancestors and the Lord’s judgement on Edom. Hence Herod wished to eradicate the Messiah from the tribe of Judah.
The chief priests and the scribes were from the Sanhedrin, comprised of Pharisees and Sadducees who performed priestly and scholarly roles. They knew where Messiah was supposed to come from, which tribe He would be born into and they would have been familiar with the content of the Tanakh (Old Testament). There was no problem with their keen studious intellect, but they had a heart problem evidenced in their respective agendas, so firmly set, that they were willing to ignore the truth presented before them.
We have come to worship Him
The wise men made a serious, concerted effort to worship the Messiah. This went beyond the realm of head knowledge since faith requires action. They followed the star as believers in Yeshua (Jesus), must follow Him as the light of the world and become His disciples. Notice they were not relying on either astrology, or the stars in the traditional sense for navigation, but were following His Star. That reminds of the children of Israel following a pillar of fire by night and cloud by day that the Lord had specifically provided for them.
Where were the chief priests and scribes heading? Scribes were familiar with accurately copying and studying scrolls and Scripture. They knew the Scriptures, memorised Scripture and applied it, though Bethlehem was only around five miles away! If you made haste even on foot, one might get there in one hour. The wise men may have travelled five hundred miles at considerable peril, cost and toil. Geographically the chief priests and scribes were ever so close, but their hearts were far off. Yet in stark contrast, the wise men sought the Child diligently. Would you heed the Greatest Commandment and worship the Lord with your heart, soul, mind and strength?
The chief priests omit the last line of Micah 5:2 (Micah 5:1 Hebrew Bible). Was that by accident? The last line of that prophecy is ever so important. “Whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting.” Why the omission of the line which speaks of the eternal origin of the Messiah? What were the implications? The truth may have affected their profession or their security. There are many today in religious professions, both clergy and academia whose job description trumps the truth. I remember watching ‘The Young Apprentice,’ and a young man who scored exceptionally highly in his Religious Education exam simultaneously denied God’s existence.
Micah’s prophecy is pivotal. It enables us to identify the ‘would be Messiah’s’ and also recognise the true Messiah. The Messiah had to come from Bethlehem Ephrathah in Judea, not Bethlehem in Galilee. Messiah had to originate from the tribe of Judah which narrows the potential candidates further. Messiah would be the Ruler of Israel and His origins would be from old, from everlasting. In addition, this strongly repudiates the view that Scriptures were written down so all one had to do was to ‘make them happen’ since we cannot determine our birthplace or tribe ourselves.
Herod made a pretence of seeking to worship the Child although his actions betrayed him. He could have seen Him, though undoubtedly, he was hoping they would bring Him to Herod so that he could destroy Him. “A man may be persuaded of many truths, and yet hate them, because they interfere with his ambition, or sinful indulgences.”[i] The ambition of the chief priests, scribes and Herod was their undoing. King Herod wanted to be king and he would murder young innocents to do so. Satan wanted to be like God and be exalted and it led to his downfall. Many reject the Lord since they want to be the King of their own lives, to be the Captain of their own salvation and the Master of their fate. But there is a way which seems right to man, but the end thereof is death (Proverbs 14:12).
Who or what are you following?
Some have argued that the star was a conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn in 7BC. Others have looked at Chinese history or Halley’s Comet in 11BC. But it was God who ‘made the stars also’ (Genesis 1:16) and He determines their courses. Ultimately, the Lord was in control of the events and guiding the star. He brought the wise men to the King. Their meeting was not in the might of Rome, the culture or Athens, or even Jerusalem, but in seemingly insignificant Bethlehem. The Lord orchestrates His purposes on a grand scale yet operates so precisely and clearly in the lives of individuals that He chooses.
So the star guided the wise men and the Lord guides His people. His word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path (Psalm 119:105). Every time we read the Scriptures, we must recognise that God has spoken. The Lord guides the believer in truth by His Holy Spirit (John 16:13). Jesus is the bright morning star who rises in the hearts of the believer (2 Peter 1:19; Revelation 22:16). In heaven, the Lord will be the light (Revelation 21:23).
Maybe you find it hard to relate to the wise men? The wise men are like the Gentiles, once afar off, without any hope and formerly strangers to the covenants but some have come to worship the King. They had a dream not to return to Herod but to depart to their country another way. In God’s providence the Lord has used dreams for His purposes and people have come to worship the Messiah. The Lord is sovereign in all matters and whilst we succumb to sleep, the God of Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps.
Notice when the wise men saw the star, they were overjoyed and rejoiced with exceeding joy. Is that your experience? Have you come to the light of the world and are you following Him? The star pointed them towards the Messiah and we need to look to the Lord.
Three great gifts
The wise men gave the Lord Jesus three memorable gifts that also serve a prophetic purpose. Gold speaks of the Messiah being the King. But who is the king in your life? Is the Lord president as well as resident in your life? The King would also shepherd Israel. Yeshua like David is the king and shepherd. The sheep know the shepherd and hear His voice and none of His sheep will be lost. Incidentally, the gold would have provided Mary and Joseph with resources to flee to Egypt. Does that remind you of when the children of Israel left Egypt with gold from the Egyptians?
Frankincense speaks of deity, the priesthood, intercession and praying. Worship is essential and reveals the intentions of our will and our loyalties. I know there are people that do not believe in God and certainly do not worship Him, but they still pray. Worship speaks of value. Angelic beings are so much more powerful than we are, yet they refuse worship. Will you worship the king as well as pray to the king? Only God is worthy of worship and that is why we must worship Him alone.
Myrrh speaks of the death of Messiah. This Child was born in Bethlehem and the Man from Galilee was a king, priest and shepherd and a Man born to die. He would also atone for sins though His death and shed blood, rise from the grave and ascend to heaven. He sat down at the right hand of God unlike those from the earthly priesthood. The death of Messiah gives the believer life and whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.
Who or what are you worshipping?
Knowing God is much more than knowing about Him. The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. Worship involves glorifying God in everything that we do, so that He may be glorified. What could you give to God who created everything and owns the cattle on a thousand hills? It is impossible to please God without faith though He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. The Lord lacks nothing, but like the wise men, we can exercise our faith through obedience and follow Him.
The chief priests, scribes and King Herod had never bowed the knee and trusted in the Lord. When we are willing to confess our sin, turn to Him and follow Him, He will be our King, Priest, Shepherd, Lord and Saviour. He is the light of the world and will be our perfect guide forevermore.
[i] Matthew Henry Matthew Henry Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible (Moody Press, Chicago)
