The Sign for the Wise Men
1. Their actions: traveling some 800-900 miles over challenging terrain, to the territory of Judea, because of Biblical prophecy;
2. Their words: “Where is the one who has been born King of the Jews?”
They knew from the writings handed down from Daniel and the prophets - that a King - a Messiah for all nations - was coming:
“…for we have seen his star in the east…”
But what was this star?
At first, scientists and historians were searching star charts from 4BC (the year of Jesus’s birth) for an astronomical event, such as a comet or a supernova. They found nothing.
But what if this star wasn’t an astronomical event at all, but rather, an astrological one?
The information I’m about to relay, I first learned back in 2001 - and nearly 24 years later, it still resonates in my spirit.
{As to the idea of an astrological sign, we should not at all be shocked by this: The study of the stars was a very reputable science of that area, throughout Old Testament times. And these magi - or learned men - were amongst those who practiced such sciences.
Why would the Lord use such a thing?
Because he wanted to send a signal, not just to the Jew…but also to the gentile, in a language that he knew they would understand: Salvation has come…first to the Jew…and then to the whole world.}
And so, these magi (astrologers), now armed with knowledge of the scriptures, were watching the skies…waiting for the King of the Jews. They were watching very closely for two factors to align themselves together:
1. Aries the ram - which signified the tribe of Judah and David’s kingly line;
2. Jupiter - the largest of the orbiting planets- known as “the king of planets.”
In other words: “a king (Jupiter) is going to come from the line of Judah (Aries)
And sure enough, when scientists searched the astrological star charts of 4BC, they found, in the spring of that same year, possibly around the time of Passover, that Jupiter (the king) was in Aries (Judah)!
This would have been a sign that a major royal event was about to occur!
But it didn’t just stop there. At this same time, there was even more regal portents:
Saturn came into Aries…
so did the sun…
and the moon…
And finally there was a stunning climax:
The moon eclipsed - and at dawn revealed Jupiter - as a morning star!
To magi from the east, who thanks to Daniel and the faithful remnant of Jews in Persia, both knew and had access to the Scriptures, this unprecedented astrological event heralded the birth of - not just a king - but a “super king” - if you will, the Messiah!
No more than two years later, they arrive at Herod’s palace, enquiring: “Where is the one who has been born King of the Jews? We have seen his star in the East and have come to worship him.”
“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.” Read Numbers 24:17
{How incredible that Balaam would give this prophetic utterance - likely from the very same trail taken by the magi, heading west, towards the place of this star}
Yes, they were practicing astrology - but without a doubt, the hand of the Lord was on them. And they - on behalf of all gentiles everywhere - will seek him out and bow down to worship him; offering their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh (which in themselves tell the story of the Gospel). For Salvation is of the Jews…but he - the King of the Jews - has come to save us gentiles also.
So, just as Jesus opened his disciples’ minds in Luke 24 to understand that everything in the Old Testament was leading back to Him, he also, through the inspired writings of Daniel and the other prophets, opened up the minds of these magi - to understand exactly the same thing!
And although the idea of astrology is a big red flag to us New Testament Christians today (and rightly so) - back under the Old Testament, in pagan lands, we see the Lord giving a powerful signal…sending up a huge flare…to a group of God-fearing gentiles - using the language that they in their culture knew and understood best: That Salvation has come - for everyone!
Even today, Jesus will come to the place where we are (no matter how dark) to seek us out: He will speak to you in a language you understand and meet you where you’re at - but he will not leave you there…
For more on the magi and the significance of their gifts see:
http://sarahshalom777.blogspot.com/2023/01/the-epiphany.html
After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” Revelation 7:9-10
This is where it will all end for us gentiles; where we will say our final farewells to this world: But where did it begin?
Maybe here: with a caravan of wise men from the east.
“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 2:2
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