I see him, but not now;
I behold him, but not near.
A star will come out of Jacob;
a scepter will rise out of Israel (see Numbers 24:17).
Balaam had prophesied that a star would appear and rise to show a new royal birth. It is interesting not only that the magi knew of this prophecy but that they were so eager to see it fulfilled. It is said that the magi were probably Persian astrologers. During Israel's exile in Persia God manifested his power and knowledge particularly through Daniel, and through Hananiah, Azariah, and Mishael. The nation responded to them and the King Cyrus ultimately showed favor to the Jewish people, allowing them to return to their own land. Perhaps some Jewish traditions were maintained in Persia even after they were permitted to return. Perhaps a memory of the goodness and the power of God lived on in that land.
behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying,
"Where is the newborn king of the Jews?
We saw his star at its rising
and have come to do him homage."
The magi gave every appearance that they were seeking someone who was greater than a mere earthly king. The birth of a Jewish king might seem to matter little during a time of Roman occupation. But if the prophecy of Balaam were true it might matter quite a bit. If the birth of that king would bring with it the freedom of Israel from all oppressors, if in him false claimants to the Davidic throne, imposters like Herod, would finally be deposed, it might matter very much indeed. If even Rome could not prevent the reign of this new king who then must he have been? The degree to which the magi knew and remembered the power and the goodness of the God of the Jews would have been strong motivation to undertake a long and dangerous journey to meet this newborn king.
When King Herod heard this,
he was greatly troubled,
and all Jerusalem with him.
Though Herod was appointed "King of the Jews" by the Roman authorities his claim was false. He was an Edomite, whose dispossession was foretold by the Balaam's prophecy (see Numbers 24:18). Indeed, the newborn infant would bring about the fall and rising of many. All pretenders and false claimants to authority would be challenged by his coming.
We see two strands in the appearance of the star, and both are important. The first is the hope that it indicates, hope for the restoration of Israel and for the inclusion of the Gentiles of the covenant.
Nations shall walk by your light,
and kings by your shining radiance.
The second strand is our own pretense of authority must be surrendered if the new King is to be blessing and not threat to us. We must be willing to prostrate ourselves and do homage to the Lord. We must be willing to lay our treasures at his feet. We too will be called to return a different way than we came.
"No one who ever meets Christ with a good will returns the same way as he came."
- Fulton Sheen
If we are to seek the star we must have the hope for the promise of fulfillment that it entails. Ours should be a hope that is so much greater than that of the magi, for in Christ the plan of God was made fully known.
It was not made known to people in other generations
as it has now been revealed
to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit:
that the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body,
and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
We should be more able than the magi to undertake whatever the Lord asks of us in this journey of life. We have so much more than a star and a snippet of prophecy. We have the Spirit shining, and the living Word to guide us. Like the magi we should understand that this journey is a privilege. In response let us offer all that we have and are to the newborn king.
the wealth of nations shall be brought to you.
Caravans of camels shall fill you,
dromedaries from Midian and Ephah;
all from Sheba shall come
bearing gold and frankincense,
and proclaiming the praises of the LORD.
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