Matthew records, “…during the time of King Herod, Magi
from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has
been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to
worship him.” [1] Who were these Magi? One commentator notes, “The word ‘Magi’ was originally applied exclusively to members of a
priestly caste of the Medes and Persian who had esoteric skills in interpreting
dreams. However, the use of the word broadened to embrace various categories of
persons who were marked out by their superior knowledge and ability, including
astrologers, soothsayers, and even oriental sages.”[2]
That the Magi were
effectively interpreting the stars does not necessarily mean they were
astrologers though. They may well have had copies of the Jewish Scriptures –
and certainly if they were ‘wise men’ (as the Greek term is translated in the
ESV and HSCB), then they would’ve been readers of said Scripture, including the
prophesy of 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.”[3]
Another commentator notes, “We don’t know
exactly what they saw in the sky. Scholars have guessed a comet or a nova or a
conjunction of Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars. Not everyone saw it. In fact, the
star is mentioned nowhere else in the Bible. The Magi saw it because they were
constantly scanning the sky. They had prepared themselves to perceive what
others could not see.”[4]
The scepter means to speak
of a rising King, and Balaam’s oracle goes on to make it very clear that this
particular king will defeat Israel’s enemies – he will be not just a king, but
Messiah.
This would be the same
Messiah David spoke of in Psalm 2, “Ask of me, and I will make the nations your
inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. You will rule them with an iron
scepter; you will dash them to pieces like pottery.” Therefore, you kings, be
wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear and rejoice
with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and you be destroyed in your
way, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in
him.” [5] So that the Magi (wise men) subsequently come
to worship him (to “Kiss the Son”) is fitting, and also a fulfillment of
prophesy. Moreover, as Solomon
prophesied, “The kings of Tarshish and of distant shores will bring tribute to him; the
kings of Sheba and Seba will present him gifts. All kings will bow down to him
and all nations will serve him.[6]
· One day all
will bow to Christ! The wise recognize
this early, and so worship Him with what they have. What gift can you bring to Him today?
[1] The Holy Bible:
New International Version. (1984). (Mt 2:1–2). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
[2] Nolland John. (2005). Preface. In The Gospel of Matthew: a commentary on the Greek text (p. 108).
Grand Rapids, MI; Carlisle: W.B. Eerdmans; Paternoster Press.
[3] The Holy Bible:
New International Version. (1984). (Num 24:17). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan
[4] Lawson, L. (1986). Matthew:
Unlocking the Scriptures for You (p. 20). Cincinnati, OH: Standard.
[5] The Holy Bible:
New International Version. (1984). (Ps 2:8–12). Grand Rapids, MI:
Zondervan.
[6] The Holy Bible:
New International Version. (1984). (Ps 72:10–11). Grand Rapids, MI:
Zondervan.
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