Sometimes people in power can become obsessed with their own power. They do not recognize that they have been put in power by God nor do they accede to His will. Sometimes, the drive to stay in power can lead to extreme measures being taken out of paranoia. We will see that today in today’s text.
We know that the Lord Jesus was born in Bethlehem and that word of it has spread. In some of the areas north and east of there (Babylon and other surrounding areas) there were men of great learning. Verses 1-2 of our text today tell us of some Magi. Were they kings? Probably not. They were probably advisors to kings and men of great learning, priestly in their culture. They would have been familiar with Hebrew teachings and known the following from the Scriptures:
- Jer 23:5-6 The Jews were expecting a Messiah who would be a King from David’s line
- Numbers 24:17 A star would rise out of Israel
- Micah 5:2 The Messiah would be born in Bethlehem
Now they have been hearing of this king being born in Bethlehem and they have seen his star. They have come to worship the new king. Nativity sets have taught us that there were three Magi, but the Bible does not say that, only that they brought three types of gifts. Most likely, they came in a sizable entourage as it would not have been safe to travel such a distance with only a few men.
Verses 3-6 tell us that King Herod was threatened by these men who showed up in Jerusalem asking after a new king who had been born. He called together the chief priests and the teachers, Israel’s main leaders, who would have been politically aligned with Herod and cautious of their need to calm his fears. If Herod was upset, they were too. When Herod asked them where the Messiah was to be born, they told him of the prophecy in Micah 5:2 predicting birth in Bethlehem.
Verses 7-8 tell us that Herod summoned the Magi and found out from them exactly when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem to find the Child and report back to him the location so that he could worship Him also though Herod’s intentions were really not quite that honorable.
Verses 9-10 tell us that the star guided the Magi right to the place where the Lord was. God wanted them to find Him and worship Him. Many astronomical explanations have been offered through the years for this phenomenon, but there is no natural movement of the stars that would explain it. This was God. When the Magi saw this star, they were overjoyed.
Verses 11-12 tell us that the Magi came into the house, saw the Child with His mother, and bowed down to worship Him. Notice the Bible uses the words ‘Child’ and ‘house’ here, not ‘baby’ and ‘manger’. Nativity sets have also taught us that the Magi visited the Child in the manger, the same as the shepherds, but that is not true. It was later in time. Probably not too much time, because we know that our Lord was born not too long before the death of Herod and Herod is still alive at this point.
The Magi brought the child rich gifts… fit for a king. Were they worshipping the child as a Messiah or as a king? Was this a religious visit or political? This is another topic that is often debated. The Magi would have known the Hebrew teachings, but probably were of different religious persuasion. And what about us? Do we bring our best gifts to Jesus? Is He first in our lives when it comes to our possessions, finances, time, family?
Because God warned them about Herod’s intentions in a dream, they did not return to him but went back home a different way. God was protecting this Child and His family. Many times, God intercedes for us without us even being aware. We cannot even know how many times God has diverted trouble from our paths without our awareness. We must acknowledge and thank Him for His protections.
Verses 13-15 tell us that God not only warned the Magi, but He also warned Joseph in a dream. God knew what Herod was planning. He sent Joseph with His new family to live in Egypt, outside of Herod’s control. The angel told Joseph that they were to stay there until he told them they could come back. And Matthew tells us, in his Gospel, that this fulfills the prophecy of God calling His Son out of Egypt (Hosea 11:1). We see, once again, that Joseph obeyed and was in Egypt until after Herod died.
Read verses 16-18. Eventually, Herod realizes that the Magi are not coming back to him. He is furious and orders that all boys under two years old should be put to death. Remember, he consulted the Magi on when the star appeared and he has set this amount of time to ensure that the right child will not be missed. Again, Matthew tells us in his Gospel that this fulfills another prophecy (Jer 31:15).
Read through the rest of today’s text. Herod the Great has died and an angel, once again, appears to Joseph, this time in Egypt, and tells him he can return home because Herod is dead. Herod has been succeeded by his sons, the territories divided between them. When Joseph learns that Herod Archelaus is in charge of Judea, he was afraid to go there. Having once again been warned in a dream, he returns his family to Nazareth in Galilee which is being ruled by Herod Antipas.
Matthew tells us, in his Gospel, that the return to Nazareth fulfills the prophecy that He would be called a Nazarene. Now, being called a Nazarene didn’t necessarily just refer to His being from Nazareth. This would have been a jab at Jesus implying that He was from a remote and disrespected area. It would have been similar to calling Him a hillbilly. And we do know that our Lord was referred to that way in scorn by His critics, but His followers used it as a title of respect (Acts 2:22, 3:6, and 10:38). The word ‘Christian’ is used the same way today, both in scorn by critics and in honor by its followers. As believers, we should use these titles with pride. Lift up the name of Jesus.
Responding to God: Praise the name of Jesus and Hail Him as King. Thank Him that He is part of your life and that you can be a Son of God through His redeeming ministry. Ask Him to make you more aware of God’s interventions and protections and thank Him for them. Ask for protection for yourself and your family from those who seek to do you harm or to harm your ministry. Ask for discernment to recognize His voice and His leading. Ask God to help you find the true Messiah and Savior and to know Him through His Word. Ask God to show you what He would have you to offer to Him that you are not now giving.
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