When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way. (Matt 2:9–12 NKJV)
Again we are in the territory of the Nativity Play and inevitably we have to steer our path between legend and conjecture to be true
The Magi were a recognisable part of Oriental monarchies, providing advice and predictions upon which the monarch would base his decisions. They functioned as a council of advisors and we have met them before in the record of Daniel. (Dan 2:2, 10) Ancient star charts were very detailed and precise. Modern astronomers marvel at the accuracy of the measurements and timings given millennia ago.
While at home in the East the Magi seem to have observed some unusual astral phenomena. Every Christmas time that comes around seems to come complete with headlines that identify the Star of Bethlehem as some rare conjunction of planets or a passing meteor. We probably need to eliminate both these suspects from the lists. It seems they saw this phenomenon while they were somewhere in the East. They may have been the heirs of ancient star-watchers, they may even have been the heirs of those same Magi that are mentioned in the book of Daniel. Their journey probably took several months and yet the phenomena persisted. My knowledge of astronomy is very basic but I don’t think either planetary conjunctions or meteors could be held responsible for such a long term effect, although Chinese star-watchers recorded a supernova in 4BC. It was, says the Scripture, a star. However the word star to the ancients included the planets (Greek: wandering stars). It may have been a unique light-bearing creation of God. No one knows.
The Magi’s story began earlier with their departure from their homelands and their arrival in Jerusalem. Whatever their tasks or responsibilities in those Eastern lands they laid them aside and began a long and wearisome journey. If their gifts give any indication of their wealth they were men of influence and probably travelled with a retinue of servants. Did they know anything of Jewish prophecies? Were they proselytes to Judaism? They risked their well being and perhaps their lives to leave the comfort of their homes. They left behind the known and launched out in their conviction that a significant event had occurred in the land of the Jews.
An older record
The thought of that long journey provides another parallel. In the last blog we mentioned the words of Christ. In the gospel according to Matthew we can trace the increasing intensity of his relationship with his hearers. The warnings become increasingly urgent and bleak. He brings a terrible warning to the cities surrounding the Sea of Galilee of a judgment that would exceed that experienced by Sodom and Gomorrah. And he uses two stories relating to Gentiles whose response is in stark contrast to the response of the people of the land.
The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah is here. The queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and indeed a greater than Solomon is here. (Matt 12:41–42 NKJV)
He provides a narrative definition for the word repent in the record of Jonah and his preaching to the people of Nineveh. The key words here are they repented. Then in quick succession he adds another historical point. This time he speaks of the queen of the South. Perhaps we know her better from the account in 1 Kings Chapter 10 as the Queen of Sheba. This time the key words are she came. In his indictment against the people of his day he identifies two key charges by contrast with historical example. His point is very clear. The charge he brings against them is that the people of his day did not repent neither would they come.
It is mankind’s story in a nutshell and so clearly illustrated in his words to those he sought.
All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matt 11:27–30 NKJV)
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! See! Your house is left to you desolate; for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ” Then Jesus went out and departed from the temple,… (Matt 23:37–24:1 NKJV)
It was to this generation that Christ uttered his strongest warnings. Does the Scripture not make this plain, that if men and women are finally lost it will not be because of the things they did, the sins they committed, but because of the things they would not do. They would not repent and they would not come.
Her choices and the choices of the Magi
Like the journey of the Magi her journey would have been through dangerous routes with many a hazard on the way. She came to Solomon herself. LIke the Magi she had asked her own questions and received her own answers.
And when the queen of Sheba had seen all the wisdom of Solomon, and the house that he had built, and the food of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel, and his cupbearers, and his ascent by which he went up unto the house of Jehovah; there was no more spirit in her. (1 Kgs 10:4–5 ASV)
The Queen of Sheba came on the basis of a rumour. She had no scripture and no testimony from God but she had heard something from someone and it was enough to get her moving.
And she said to the king, It was a true report that I heard in mine own land of thine acts, and of thy wisdom. Howbeit I believed not the words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and, behold, the half was not told me; thy wisdom and prosperity exceed the fame which I heard. Happy are thy men, happy are these thy servants, that stand continually before thee, and that hear thy wisdom. (1 Kgs 10:5–8 ASV)
She could not believe what she had heard, and still she came. What an example to set before the people of his day. And what a testimony! It is a testimony repeated in different ways by all who come. He takes my breath away. The half was not told me. Everything I have enjoyed is better than any of the accounts that I had heard. O happy men and women, happy servants of God, O happy day!
And Herod’s choices
The contrast between he who determined to sit on his own throne and those who came to kneel in worship to the young child is vivid. There lie before us two destinies. One for those who repent and come and one for those who maintain their rights and hold their ground.
But we can’t stop there… Here is the word of God for all who will hear:
Come now, and let us reason together, saith Jehovah: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: but if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword; for the mouth of Jehovah hath spoken it. (Isa 1:18–20 ASV)
And many peoples shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of Jehovah from Jerusalem. (Isa 2:3 ASV)
Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labor for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. Incline your ear, and come unto me; hear, and your soul shall live: and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. (Isa 55:1–3 ASV)
And almost the last sentences of the Bible:
“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.” And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!”
And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely. (Rev 22:16–17 NKJV)
Your choices…?
Originally posted 2018-12-29 07:00:19.
