First Advent of Christ
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history, and tell him where the infant king was to be born. The careless
indifference and apparent ignorance of the scribes and chief priests,
as they turn to their books for the words of prophecy, irritate the
fully aroused king. He thinks they are trying to conceal from him
the real facts in regard to the birth of the Messiah. He authoritatively
commands them to make close search in relation to their expected
king.
“And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the
people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
[23]
And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judea; for thus it is written by
the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least
among the princes of Juda; for out of thee shall come a Governor, that
shall rule my people Israel. Then Herod, when he had privily called
the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for
the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again,
that I may come and worship him also.”
Although Herod received the wise men with apparent respect, yet
the intimation by them of the birth of a king to reign in Jerusalem,
excited his envy and hatred against the infant whom he thought might
prove his rival, and drive him, or his descendants, from the throne. A
storm of opposition and satanic fury took possession of Herod, and
he determined to destroy this infant king. Yet he on a calm exterior,
and requested a private interview with the wise men. He then inquired
particularly the exact time the star appeared. He apparently hailed
the supposition of the birth of Christ with joy, expressing a desire to
be immediately informed by the wise men, that he might be among
the first to show him true honor by worshiping him also. The wise
men were not able to read the heart of the tyrant Herod; but God,
who is acquainted with every emotion of the soul, with the intents and
purposes of the heart, was not deceived by his hypocritical pretenses.
His power will protect and preserve the precious infant Saviour from
Satan’s devices, until his mission on earth is accomplished. “When
they had heard the king, they departed; and lo! the star which they
[24]
saw in the east went before them, till it came and stood over where the
young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding
great joy.”