Matthew 2:1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem.
The Magi (Wise Men) were astronomers and scholars who studied the movements, cycles, patterns of the celestial bodies in the solar system. They were also well educated in historical documents, prophecies and oral traditions passed down through generations and cultures. The Old Testament was among the most deliberated documents in the ancient world. These intellectuals were aware of the prophecy of Balaam, the Mesopotamian mystic – “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” (Numbers 24:17). They were expecting a supreme scepter to arise in Israel and the star to show them the way. “We saw His star when it rose and have come to worship Him” (Matthew 2:2b). There must have been an entourage of scholars on camel backs with royal garments and riches, not just three Magi. Most Bible scholars believe that they were from Babylon/Mesopotamia which is the modern day Iraq, or Iran.
Have you wondered why the Magi sought the help of Herod when they had a guiding star? Prof David Hughes, an astronomer from the University of Sheffield, after many years of astronomical study in parallel with historical evidence concluded that the Magi must have left Babylon when they saw a “triple conjunction” of the Sun, the Earth, Jupiter and Saturn. They travelled in the direction it pointed and with the support of the Old Testament transcripts arrived at Jerusalem. Alternately Hughes says that it could have been a very bright comet with a tail that looks like an arrow. So, the star did not lead the Magi every night. Using their astronomical intelligence and Biblical prophecies they followed the starry pathway, arrived at the palace and knocked on the palace door of the envious King Herod.
Why was the star a sign to the Magi and not the shepherds?
- Language: The language of astronomy was familiar to the Magi. Having spent many years studying the astronomical explanations and reviewing the associated biblical facts, the triple conjunction or a comet enlightened their spiritual eyes. The shepherds would have marvelled at the bright star but would not have understood the significance or followed the star. God speaks to us in the language that we understand. He would speak historically to a historian, scientifically to a scientist and medically to a physician. The Bible can enlighten both the scholar and the shepherd.
- Linguistics: The syntax, symbols, sounds and phonetics of the celestial cosmos made sense only to the well-read astrologers. The Magi were not evil astronomers or fortunetellers but just intriguing researchers. The astrologers in China recorded a bright comet appearing in the constellation of Capricorn in 5BC. The Bible speaks with linguistics to educate us.
- Literature: The Magi had one half of the prophecy from (Numbers 24:17) and the Pharisees and Teachers of Law in Jerusalem knew the other half pronounced in (Malachi 5:4). The linguistics and literature coagulated together in Herod’s hood. The Bible puts conscripts, events, and transcripts together to bring divine explanation.
The Bible speaks the language, linguistics and literature that is familiar to us to enrich our spiritual understanding.
Micah 5:2 But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel.
Prayer: Enlightening Father, open my spiritual eyes to understand the depth of your scripture. Amen.
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