WHO?
The Wise Men were Magi from the east (Persia?)
They were educated in astronomy, maybe astrology.
Being influenced by Daniel and Mordecai, they were well versed in the OT.
As men treated like royalty, they probably arrived with a large entourage with great fanfare.
WHAT?
They followed a star…
A conjunction of Jupiter, Mars and Saturn in Pices?
Not likely to catch the curious attention of astronomers.
A comet?
Not likely as comets are common, and it had no association with Israel.
A supernova in Virgo?
Genesis 3:15 said the messiah would be the “seed of a woman.”
Numbers 24:17 promises that there will come “a star out of Jacob.”
Isaiah 7:14 says that “a virgin will conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
WHEN?
When Christ was a “young child” (verse 11). Probably not when Jesus was a newborn, but not more than two, since Mary and Joseph were living in a house (verse 11).
WHERE?
To Jerusalem first (verse 1) as a courtesy to the new king since it was a capital area.
WHY?
To welcome and worship the new king and present gifts to him.
THE GIFTS
Gold
A tribute to a king.
Numbers 24:7 “A scepter shall rise out of Israel…”
Daniel 2:44 “And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people… “
Revelation 19:16 “And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
In His first coming, Jesus came not to set up an earthly kingdom, but to set up His kingdom of peace in our hearts.
Frankincense
Incense – represents purity, holiness and diety.
Isaiah 9:6 “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”
Wonderful Counsellor – Supernatural One, Almighty God
Everlasting Father – Messiah is a father who guards, supplies and cares for his people.
Prince of Peace.
Myrrh
Represents a coming death. It is used in embalming a dead body.
Isaiah 53:4-5 “4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”
Phillippians 2:7-11 “7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Conclusion
The Wise Men knew of the prophecies of old, and were well versed in astronomy. The coupling of these two let them to seek out the Christ child who was born King of the Jews, the Son of God, who was to die for our sins.
