Ancient wisdom of Wise Men
Matthew 2:1-12
“1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi[1] from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east[2] and have come to worship him." 3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ[3] was to be born. 5 "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written: 6 "`But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.’[4] " 7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him." 9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east[5] went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. “
Thesis:
This morning we will survey the activity of the wise men in the Christmas account and see how their wisdom was proven through their decisions. We will also see how these principles apply to the “Wise men who still seek Him”
I. Background on this scripture.
A) Who were the Magi?
(1) Some believe they were eastern kings.
There is no evidence of this anywhere
(2) Some say they were astronomers.
Those who hold this view are quick to point out the difference between the study of the stars (Astronomy) and the worship of the stars (Astronomy).
(3) Some say they were Magicians (astrologers).
·If this is the case it is not a statement of support for pagan cultic practice (such as the zodiac)
·It is a statement of the grace of God that draws sinners on a search for a King who can grant forgiveness.
(4) The most likely claim is that the magi were
Babylonians who had inherited the prophesies
of Daniel from their ancestors.
There were astrologers called Magi in the royal court of the king of Persia. They were unexpected worshipers of Jesus.
“Many sources from this period report the skill of Magi in divination, but Matthew’s audience would probably recall first the Magi of their Greek translation of the Old Testament: Daniel’s enemies, whom Daniel’s narratives portray in a negative light as selfish, incompetent and brutal pagans (Dan 2:2, 10)” IVP commentary.
·Perhaps, the wisest of the Wise Men Was Daniel who may have shared the prophecy of the Star with a group of pagan stargazers he once led as a voice for godliness.
Several hundred years before this account in Matthew, Daniel may have wisely shared the prophecy of the Star, which would mark the coming of the messiah with the Babylonians.
Numbers 24:17 “There shall come a star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel…”
The Babylonian magi may have recorded this fact, which would stand out to them. Generations later when the star appeared to their ancestors they may have begun their journey to the land of Daniel to crack the mystery.(complete biblical library)
“Although the Bible forbade divination (Deut 18:9-13), which includes astrology (Is 47:13; see also Deut 4:19), for one special event in history the God who rules the heavens chose to reveal himself where the pagans were looking (compare Acts 19:12, 15-20). Without condoning astrology, Matthew’s narrative challenges our prejudice against outsiders to our faith (see also 8:5-13; 15:21-28): even the most pagan of pagans may respond to Jesus if given the opportunity (compare Jon 1:13-16; 3:6-10).” IVP commentary
**It is interesting that these apparent stargazers had to go and enlist the help Harod who intern had to have the Jewish religious leaders search the scriptures for an answer.
·This is a good reminder to us that all things are subject to scripture. And That the Bible contains the answers to our spiritual search – when read by the light of the Holy Spirit.
** We can be sure that this Star was no ordinary star -nor was it a commit - but a divine revelation given by God to these pagans.
v.s. 9-10 says,
9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east[5] went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.
-The passage reads the star went ahead of them until stopped over the place where the child was.
-It was only about 6 miles from Jerusalem to Bethlehem.
-The star went ahead of them.
-The star went and stopped over the place where the
child was.
-It would be impossible to follow a normal star to the
exact stable where Jesus was.
*These are not the characteristics of a normal star – This was the divine revelation of the light of a loving God who wishes to lead searching pagans to Himself.
-If it had been a normal star Harod and the religious leaders also could have followed it!
·All can agree that they were wise!
“While there is some difference of opinion concerning the profession of the Wise Men [and where they came from] there is no doubt concerning the wisdom of their activity.” (H.W. Steinberg –Winter 2001 Enrichment 159.)
B)Why does this story fit well in Matthews Gospel?
It contains two major themes of the book.
(1)Preach the Gospel to everyone without prejudice.
Matthew 28:19
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit”
This passage on the wise men reminds us that we must preach the gospel to all people because we cannot always predict who will hear the message and who will not.
·Those we do not expect to honor Jesus may worship him,
The Magi worship Jesus – they were very unexpected visitors. Led on a spiritual and physical search probably based on the ancient witnessing of Daniel.
Those we do not expect to oppose him may seek his death.
King Herod seeks to kill Jesus – rather than place Him in the palace.
Jerusalem’s religious elite (Sadducees & Pharisees) takes Jesus for granted.
The theme: Preach the Gospel to everyone is much repeated in Matthew.
(2) Make your personal choice.
“This passage confronts Matthew’s readers with a choice to make a personal decision by contrasting the main characters... “ (IVP commentary)
The underwritten question is: “Which character are you?”
-The hostile one?
-The indifferent one?
-The worshiping one?
II. OBSERVATIONS FROM SCRIPTURE THAT PROVE THE WISDOM OF THE MAGAI AND ALSO APPLY TO THE WISE MEN WHO SEEK HIM.
A) The Search of the Wise men – Proves their wisdom.
Matthew 2:1-2 “1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi[1] from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east[2] and have come to worship him."
-The Bible says the magi saw the star in the east.
·It is not clear if they saw a star rise in the sky east of Babylon.
.Or if the magi themselves wile in the east saw a star rise in the west.
“We saw his star in the east” – could be read either way.
-The magi probably did not follow the star to Jerusalem.
·Rather when they saw this strange star in the sky they discerned – what it meant and journeyed to Jerusalem – to find the new king.
The Fact that these magi headed for Jerusalem to seek the King of the Jews proves their wisdom.
-They did not merely think of the star as a strange coincidence.
·Men are still proven wise if they search for Him.
Hebrews 11: 6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Just like the Magi saw the star knew what it meant and began a long journey in faith.
If we are wise we also will recognize the things that God gives us to lead us to Jesus – and begin our own Journey towards the King.
B)The Worship of the Wise men - Proves their wisdom.
Matthew 2:2, 11
“2 and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east [2] and have come to worship him."
11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.”
Recognizing that the magi were probably from the (Persian / Babylonian) court helps us to appreciate their wisdom in the worship of Jesus.
“Kings would often send congratulations to new rulers in other realms, but the king of Persia called himself "king of kings," that is, the highest of kings”
These men were wise because they recognized that there was a king above the king of Persia – Jesus- was the true king of Kings!
-Jesus was around 2 years old by the time the wise men arrived.
-They found him in a common house – not a kings palace.
Yet they still worshiped Him! – this further proves their wisdom.
·Wise men still know Jesus is worthy of worship.
Worship means – to put Christ at the center!
C)The Gifts of the Wise men – Proves their wisdom.
Matthew 2:11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.
Lets look at the gifts they gave:
Gold: This was of course valuable commodity
anywhere – even as it is in our day.
Frankincense: “a pungent, bitter, yellow, easily
pulverized gum resin from trees in…
South Arabia. When used as incense it
has an aromatic fragrance.”
(complete biblical library).
Myrrh: Many have noted that myrrh was used for
embalming. It was also used for incense and
perfume.
These gifts prove the wisdom of the wise men:
Reading beyond the our selected text reveals that the angel of the Lord told Joseph to flee with his family to Egypt.
-Gold would of course be valuable to finance this trip all along the way.
-Frankincense and Myrrh were exceptionally valuable to Egyptians who loved the spices of Arabia.
-They didn’t know the whole plan but they gave obediently.
·Wise men still give good gifts.
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I heard about a guy that bought his wife a beautiful diamond ring for Christmas? A friend of his said, "I thought she wanted one of those sporty 4-Wheel drive vehicles – since all the dealers are offering 0% financing now."
"She did," he replied. "But where am I going to find a fake Jeep?"
The wise men cheerfully gave what God led them to give – not what was fake but the real things.
*The wise men gave the real stuff to Mary and Joseph – it provided the needed funds for escape and living in Egypt.
If we are wise we too will be obedient to the lord in what we give.
2Corinthians 9:6-11
“6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
D)The obedience of the Wise men - proved their wisdom.
Matthew 2:12 “And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.“
The wise men were repeatedly proven wise in the way they followed the direction of the Lord.
In verse 12 they are directed to return another way – they obeyed and are once again proven wise.
*Undoubtedly Herod would have had them killed for suggesting there was another king. (This particular Herod [the great] had already killed several family members for less).
·Wise men are still obedient to God
We serve a forgiving God – but when we are wise enough to be obedient to Him we will begin to experience and extra measure of His protection.
III. Closing:
“The world has many standard for measuring wisdom but no one is wise until he fears the Lord” (H.W. Steinberg –Winter 2001 Enrichment 159)
Psalm 111:10 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.”
Hosea 14:9 “Who is wise? He will realize these things. Who is discerning? He will understand them. The ways of the LORD are right; the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them.”
--outline--
Ancient wisdom of Wise Men
Thesis:
This morning we will survey the activity of the wise men in the Christmas account and see how their wisdom was proven through their decisions. We will also see how these principles apply to the “Wise men who still seek Him”
I. Background on this scripture.
A) Who were the Magi?
B) Why does this story fit well in Matthews Gospel?
(1) Matthew 28:19
(2)
II. OBSERVATIONS FROM SCRIPTURE THAT PROVE THE WISDOM OF THE MAGAI AND ALSO APPLY TO THE WISE MEN WHO SEEK HIM.
A) The Search of the Wise men – Proves their wisdom.
· Men are still proven wise if they search for Him.
B) The Worship of the Wise men - Proves their wisdom.
· Wise men still know Christ is worthy of worship.
C) The Gifts of the Wise men – Proves their wisdom.
· Wise men still give good gifts.
D) The obedience of the Wise men - proved their wisdom.
· Wise men are still obedient to God.
III. Closing:
Psalm 111:10, Hosea 14:9
“The world has many standard for measuring wisdom but no one is wise until he fears the Lord” - H.W. Steinberg
