Advent: December 17
The Christmas story continues for we still have some wise men from the East to meet!
Some translations call them wise men, while others might call them Magi. In truth, we don’t know 100% where these men originated, their names, or even how many of them there were in number. We do know they came from the East. This is not a mere directional statement, but is more akin to how we might say in America that someone is from the “South", meaning they are from one of the southern 16 states that specifically bear that region's name.
The term 'Magi' is more precise, it is a reference to a specific group of people. Magi were wise-men who were known as dream readers or scientists. They would have been learned astronomers. This is not to say that they would have been astronomers in today's secular sense of the term, for science and religion were not yet at odds until the late 19th century. That said, these men were actually a special class of religious men who were known at the time to be monotheistic(belief that there is one god). This would have made them somewhat unique since, other than the Jews, most people groups at this time were polytheistic(meaning having belief in more than one god). Magi had the reputation of being kingmakers because of their ability and power to depose of or set up ruling authorities. In fact, it was said they could establish any rule in just one day. They were wealthy and respected, but not likely actual ruling kings as the Bible does not specifically give them that title.
The Bible never specifically states where the Magi came from other than saying, "From the East". Still, a good guess is that they were likely from one of two places;
1. They may have come from Caldea which is Babylonia(900 miles away).
2. Or they might have been part of the Medes or Persians coming from Persia(500-1200 miles away).
One reason why these two places are likely lies in the fact that they would have had writings from Daniel as he had lived and served as a captive in both places. Daniel would have brought the Hebrew texts and his understanding of them with him.
In fact, the specific prophecy that is often referenced when speculating about what prophecies these wisemen were referring to is located in Numbers.
In Numbers, chapter 14, the wicked prophet Balaam is hired to curse Israel. Through a somewhat comedic string of events he is warned to say nothing bad about Israel. He instead blesses them and gives this prophecy through his fourth and final oracle,
"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. Edom shall be dispossessed; Seir also, his enemies, shall be dispossessed. Israel is doing valiantly. And one from Jacob shall exercise dominion and destroy the survivors of cities!” Numbers 24:17-19
Now this may not look like much to us… but to some wise men... who knows?
Other research shows that there were also significant astrological events that happened around this time. Specifically, the coming together of two planets, Jupiter and Saturn. This might have been a sign in the heavens for them, but we are never told EXACTLY what they saw. In fact, some of what they say seems to conclude that what they were observing was the natural order of nature that God used at that time to signal the coming of His son. Other things seem to suggest the opposite and point to a supernatural move of God outside of the realm of nature; particularly a star that appears, disappears, and moves. Unfortunately, it is unlikely we will ever know for sure all of the details surrounding this phenomenon, at least this side of heaven. It is possible that God used both natural and supernatural means in guiding the Magi to His son. The good news is, that, by God’s grace and providence, these men got where they needed to be and at just the right time.
God is sovereign over all the details of the Christmas story! God is also sovereign over all the details of our stories!
