NOT 3, NOT kings, NOT at the manger!
The story of the Magi must be interpreted through Scripture not Christmas carols, not movies, TV, or Christmas pageants. Most of the representations of the wise men have got it wrong.
Their story actually begins in the Book of Daniel some 600 years before the birth of Christ. The Magi in the royal courts had great influence with the powerful kings of Babylon, Medo-Persian empires. They were not kings but king influencers, advisors, the checks and balances on the kings. They were highly educated, knowledgeable in science, medicine, astrology, astronomy. They were dignitaries, advisors, members of a heriditary priesthood. They were highly respected and impressive.
During the time of Daniel, they had been greatly influenced by God’s prophet. Daniel, one of the many elite exiles taken from Jerusalem to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. Daniel quickly advanced in the king’s court through his God given supernatural abilities to interpret the dreams of the king, and his unwavering obedience to honouring his God and King.
Daniel won the loyalty of the wise men by saving their lives (Dan. 2:24) from the wrath of their king. Daniel became the chief prefect over the Magi, as well as Prime Minister over the entire kingdom.
Eventually the miracles of God and the way He guided Daniel had such influence that king Nebuchadnezzar and Darius issued decrees stating that anyone who spoke against Daniel’s God would be torn limb from limb, and all the kingdom was to tremble before Him.
So you can see how God had provided much knowledge of Himself and the Hebrew Scriptures especially to the wisest of men, the Magi. They knew a great King was to be born to rule the world (Isaiah 7:14, 9:6 ) and they knew His Star (Numbers 24:17) would indicate the time confirmed by the prediction of the coming Messiah in the 70 weeks of Daniel (Dan. 9) The Magi would have, over the many years, passed on the legacy. The Magi of Jesus’ time did not want to miss it!
When Jesus was born they saw His Star in the east and prepared for a long trip to worship Him.
Three men on three camels would never set out on a 1000 mile trip through rough terrain, desert and mountainous lands, made more dangerous by bands of robbers.
There would have been a remarkable entourage from a wealthy land. Many Magi would probably be on horseback with caravans of camels loaded with supplies and tents for a very long trip. There would be cooks, servants, animal keepers, and a company of soldiers for protection. The gifts they were bringing would have to be fit for a King. They would therefore be extravagantly impressive. (Not three little boxes!)
Arriving in Jerusalem, these foreign dignitaries most likely expected Herod, who called himself king of the Jews, to be aware of the birth of the One the Magi referred to as born the King of the Jews. Alas, no one was aware of what they had all missed up to two years earlier. Herod immediately called on the religious authorities as to where this Christ was to be born. They were able to report it was Bethlehem. Then Herod secretly called on the Magi to ascertain from them when this star had appeared (Mt. 2:7) and set his murderous plan in motion to kill all the male children TWO YEARS of age and under “according to the time he had acertained from the Magi” (Mt. 2:16)
Herod had sent the Magi to Bethlehem “They went their way and the star which they had seen in the east went on before them until it came and stood over where the CHILD was. And when they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And they came into the HOUSE and saw the CHILD with Mary His mother, and they fell down and worshiped Him; and opening their treasures they presented to Him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh”. (Mt. 2:10-11) ( emphasis mine)
NOT three, NOT kings, NOT at the birth site!
Could we please move the Magi from the Nativity scenes? Put them far away in another room or outdoor location and over a time period of two years or less present them at the house in Bethlehem to worship the child Jesus just like the Bible says!
Have a beautiful Scripture and God honouring Christmas!
