Musing – How Could the Wise Men Have Possibly Known?

Hebraic Musing – How Could the Wise Men Have Possibly Known?

The typical manger scene at Christmas includes some extra-Biblical portrayals of “Three Kings” and a “Star”.  This is portrayed even though Matthew 2:1 begins with “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem…”  Actually, some number of Magi, or wise men (not kings), visited Jesus in His home about two years later; and they had journeyed from the East and brought significant gifts.  But who were they and how could they have possibly known about Jesus and His birth?

It makes sense that these wise men were astrologers from Babylon and they were led by something that has been translated as a “Star”.  The original the Greek could just as easily been translated “Light” or “Brilliance” which makes more sense since everyone, especially astrologers, know that stars do not move East, West, North, South and rest over a home!  Many rightfully contend that it could have been the Shechinah glory of God that they followed. 

Why would “Wise Men” from Babylon have been searching for such a sign?  Matthew recalls the Magi referring to it as “His star” in Matt. 2:1-2 …during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?  We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."   NIV   These Magi had not come to welcome previous kings of the Jews, so why this one?!?!   This was obviously not an ordinary star or event!  How would Magi, wise men, from Babylon know about the coming of a Messianic King?  Here are two clues in the OT.

First, Daniel’s book was written mostly in Aramaic while he was in Babylon; and Daniel had many associations with the wise men, astrologers in Babylon.  They would have studied and interpreted Daniel’s famous “Seventy ‘sevens’” prophecy in Dan 9:24-27.  But, why would the astrologers have paid attention to prophecies of a Jew in exile?  Answer – He saved their lives!  And they would have recognized Daniel’s “God of Heaven”.   Daniel 2:12-17 tells of the King Nebuchadnezzar’s orders to execute all the wise men of Babylon; and of Daniel’s answer from the “God of Heaven” which spared their lives.  Nebuchadnezzar had made Daniel head of all the astrologers (whose lives he just saved!).  Since they were “wise men”, can we assume they also recognized the “God of Heaven” whom Daniel heard from?  Hence, a line of Babylonian astrologers from generation to generation recognized and worshipped the true God and were relying on Daniel’s prophecy looking forward to the coming “King of the Jews” whom they asked for in Matt.2:2. 

Second, since Daniel said nothing about a “Star” announcing the Messiah’s birth, where did the knowledge of a star come from?   Remember that back in Numbers 22, the king of Moab, Balak, desperately needed someone to curse the Israelite nation, so he called on “Balaam son of Beor, who was at Pethor, near the River, in his native land.” Num. 22:5   Balaam’s home is a suburb of Babylon and he had a reputation as a noted wise man or seer!  After failed attempts to curse Israel, Balaam was forced by God to prophesy of the coming of the Jewish Messiah and he related that to a “Star/Scepter out of Jacob”.  God had Balaam utter this oracle -- "The oracle of Balaam son of Beor, the oracle of one whose eye sees clearly, the oracle of one who hears the words of God, who has knowledge from the Most High, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who falls prostrate, and whose eyes are opened:  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.  He will crush … his enemy, will be conquered, but Israel will grow strong.  A ruler will come out of Jacob and destroy the survivors of the city."  Num. 24:15-19

Two of Babylon’s renowned wise men, both Balaam and Daniel had provided the Wise Men of Babylon with belief in the “God of Heaven” and with prophecies and Messianic understanding and timing.  It’s not surprising they responded when they saw a brilliant light appear in the sky at just the right time. 

 Point to ponder

They were obviously Wise Men, they came seeking the “King of the Jews”.
Shouldn’t we all be Wise Men and seek Him today?

"Hear my words, you wise men; listen to me, you men of learning.” Job 34:2

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                                 December 19, 2017