Eyewitness to Christmas: Wise Men Remind of The Prophecy Foretold
Last time, we talked about the Wise Men journey to find the newborn, King of the Jews. They did not question, but believed.
They expect to find everyone worshipping this child, but arrive to discover no one knows where the child is.
Scripture tells us that the word of their arrival quickly reached Herod and he was terrified. He was afraid this child would grow and come to take his place as king.
However, it wasn’t only Herod who heard of their arrival. Word spread through most of Jerusalem. After all, we know how quickly gossip can spread.
No one knows where the child is, but how did they keep it a secret? After all, didn’t the shepherds share their experiences?
“When word of their inquiry got to Herod, he was terrified—and not Herod alone, but most of Jerusalem as well. Herod lost no time. He gathered all the high priests and religion scholars in the city together and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?”” {Matthew 2:3-4}
So, what does Herod do? He calls for the scholars. He wants to know what the scriptures say. Where is this child supposed to be born?
They told him, “Bethlehem, Judah territory. The prophet Micah wrote it plainly:
It’s you, Bethlehem, in Judah’s land,
no longer bringing up the rear.
From you will come the leader
who will shepherd-rule my people, my Israel.”
{Matthew 2:5-6}
The scholars tell him of the prophecy in Micah 5:2, that the child will be born in Bethlehem. That is right at Herod’s back door. Can you feel him quaking in his boots?
“But while the religious leaders know where the Messiah will be born, they do not join the Magi in their quest. These are the religious leaders, but they fail to act on all their Bible knowledge. Jesus is just a baby, and they take him for granted.” .” {The IVP New Testament Commentary Series}
The Wise Men are about to come face to face with a king, but it’s not the king of the Jews. Not yet…