Hopefully making theology simpler to understand! (2 Corinthians 1:12)

We all like to talk about the Magi who came from the east to greet the newborn king of Israel. I wonder how many of us think about this star as a prophetic fulfillment.

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, 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.” (Matthew 2:1–2, ESV)

We are pretty sure that these “wise men” may have been of the school of practitioners trained originally by Daniel while Israel was in exile. It makes so much sense that they would have been looking for such signs. It does make one wonder why they would think to look for a star?

I wonder if the original Hebrew audience of Matthew would have thought about a previous “wise man” who first spoke of this star.

“The oracle of Balaam the son of Beor,

the oracle of the man whose eye is opened,

the oracle of him who hears the words of God,

and knows the knowledge of the Most High,

who sees the vision of the Almighty,

falling down with his eyes uncovered:

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 (Numbers 24:15–17, ESV)

Some foreigners came to worship a king because of a star they saw rise. A foreign prophet was used by God to prophesy a star that would rise.

The prophecy was made as Israel was approaching the Promised Land. The prophecy was fulfilled when the True Israel was approaching His creation.

The first foreigner joined in trying to kill God’s people. The next foreigners helped avoid the attempt to kill the Son of God (for a time.)

This is a good reminder that Israel struggles (there is a pun here) with knowing who their Lord is, but others see Him for who He is, even of they deny Him.

Let us be wiser than all these, even the wise men from the east and especially those who see truth and deny it.

Let us receive the King of kings who has come to bring us life and peace and is coming again.

Merry Christmas and the Lord’s blessings of eternal life and wisdom on you.