Let's Be Wise & Generous

Matthew 2 is another step in our general progression through the Christmas Story. Here we find Matthew, the author, focusing on alternate subjects, rather than the primary subjects. He focussed on Joseph in stead of Mary in chapter 1 and now he will focus on the “wise men” instead of the shepherds.

It is interesting how God orchestrates ever detail of history. First he reveals the arrival baby Jesus to the Jewish, Bethlehemite shepherds in Luke 2 as they are pointed toward the stable and sung to by a host of angels who were singing:

“Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

Enter the Magi - Who were they and how did they know?

Now in the second chapter of Matthew we find the wise men following “His Star”. These were wise men from the East which is more than likely Babylon. They aren’t as the song suggests, three kings. They are Wise Men. The greek word is MAGOS which by definition is an “oriental scientist; by implication, a magician, sorcerer or wise man.”

In Daniel’s day they were given this name by the Babylonians, Medes, Persians, and others, to the wise men, teachers, priests, physicians, astrologers, seers, interpreters of dreams, augers, soothsayers, and sorcerers. So why in the world were they attuned to the message of a Jewish Messiah and care enough about Him to travel hundreds of miles to find him and worship him?

I personally believe the answer finds its roots in the Babylonian captivity where the Jews were taken by King Neb to Babylon. Look at the following passages.

Daniel 4 King Neb’s dream about a tree. This is the second time that King Neb gave witness to the God of the Jews. He also did so in Daniel 3.

Daniel 4:34 ESV

34 At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever, for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation;

Daniel 4:37 ESV

37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble.

King Darius after Daniel was delivered from the lion’s den declared this.

Daniel 6:26–27 ESV

26 I make a decree, that in all my royal dominion people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel, for he is the living God, enduring forever; his kingdom shall never be destroyed, and his dominion shall be to the end. 27 He delivers and rescues; he works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, he who has saved Daniel from the power of the lions.”

The “wise men” of Daniel’s day did not originally fear the God of Israel. They were, as Daniel 4:7 says “magicians, enchanters, astrologers, and fortune-tellers.” The wise men searching and looking for Jesus were influenced and educated by the Jews who lived with and around them during Judah’s captivity.

The kings they served continued to have run in’s with the “King of Heaven” and each ended pointing people to the God of the Jews.

Matthew 2:1–6 ESV

1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: 6 “ ‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’ ”

King Herod

Not a Jew. He was appointed by Rome and was an Edomite, descendant of Esau.

He was a cruel king. Herod was mentioned by Augustus, the Roman Emperor, had said, bitterly, that it was safer to be Herod’s pig than Herod’s son.

The Jews tempered their great hatred of him with admiration for his building projects, such as the magnificent improvements made to the second temple.

Barclay reminds us of what a bloody, violent ruler Herod was: “He had no sooner come to the throne than he began by annihilating the Sanhedrin…he slaughtered three hundred court officers…he murdered his wife Mariamne, and her mother Alexandra, his eldest son Antipater, and two other sons, Alexander and Aristobulus.”

The Wise Men

The entourage of the Magi, wise men, was a grand one, assumedly. These were those who advised foreign kings and the would not have set out alone. There were more than likely more than three. We get the idea of “3 kings from the church tradition of the three names “Melchior, Caspar, and Balthasar” These names were not written down in scripture and to be honest, I’m not sure how much it matters. The main point here is, their arrival was troubling to those in Jerusalem, both to King Herod and to the rest of Jerusalem. What was troubling about it?

His Star in the East.

It is significant that God met them in their own medium: He guided the astronomers by a star. This was also in fulfillment of Numbers 24:17: A Star shall come out of Jacob; a Scepter shall rise out of Israel. This was widely regarded by ancient Jewish scholars as a Messianic prediction.

Numbers 24:17 ESV

17 I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near: a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel; it shall crush the forehead of Moab and break down all the sons of Sheth.

King and Jerusalem Troubled

King’s don’t like anyone speaking of a new lineage that might dethrone him. It’s not real clear why the people of Jerusalem were troubled, but suffice it to say, Jerusalem was well established with its traditions, its people in places of Power. They probably liked their power and didn’t want someone new ruining it.

This trouble is again testimony to the greatness of Jesus, even as a young child. “Jesus of Nazareth is so potent a factor in the world of mind that, no sooner is he there in his utmost weakness, a now-born King, than he begins to reign. Before he mounts the throne, friends bring him presents, and his enemies compass his death.” (Spurgeon)

Herod inquires with the Chief Priests and Scribes, the men who would know about the Messianic prophecies and they told him Bethlehem based on Micah 5:2

Micah 5:2 ESV

2 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.

Sadly, these experts had the right information but seem personally uninterested in meeting the Messiah for themselves. All they seemed to care about was retaining power.

Matthew 2:7–12 ESV

7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” 9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

The star continued to guide them, apparently re-appearing. We can surmise that the star appeared some months before, guiding them to the general area, and then they visited Jerusalem to gain more information. Then the star appeared again to specifically guide them. This was an obviously supernatural phenomenon.

We notice that Jesus here is called a young Child, likely being between 6 and 18 months old. We also notice that (against custom) the Child is mentioned before the mother.

Three responses to Jesus’ birth

Herod displayed an open hatred and hostility toward Jesus.

The chief priests and the scribes were indifferent toward Jesus, all the while retaining their religious respectability.

The wise men sought out Jesus and worshipped Him — even at great cost.

“How useful this gold was to Joseph in the following months! It helped him to defray the cost of the journey into Egypt and back, and to maintain his precious charges there. The Heavenly Father knew what those needs would be, and met them by anticipation.” (Meyer)

Divine Intervention - Prophecy fulfilled

Matthew 2:13–23 ESV

13 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” 14 And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt 15 and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.” 16 Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. 17 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: 18 “A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.” 19 But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 20 saying, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.” 21 And he rose and took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee. 23 And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, so that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, that he would be called a Nazarene.

We should learn from the wisdom of these wise men.

They were not satisfied with looking at the star and admiring it; they did something about the star, and set out and followed it.

They persevered in their search and in following after the star.

They were not discouraged in the search by clergy and doubtful religious leaders.

They rejoiced at the star.

When they arrived at the destination the star led them to, they entered in.

When they entered in, they worshipped.

They sensed an urgency to worship Him now and not wait until later.

When they worshipped, it was to give something — not empty-handed adoration.

“Those who look for Jesus will see him: those who truly see him will worship him: those who worship him will consecrate their substance to him.” (Spurgeon)

We who have found Him are to give everything we have to Him! Our Time, Talent and Treasure!

Luke 12:34 ESV

34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Is Jesus your treasure? Does He have your heart this Christmas Season?