Basic HTML Version
Chapter 6—“We Have Seen His Star”
This chapter is based on
Matthew 2
.
“Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days
of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to
Jerusalem, saying, Where is He that is born King of the Jews? for
we have seen His star in the east, and are come to worship Him.”
The wise men from the East belonged to a class that comprised
wealth and learning. Among these were upright men who studied
the indications of Providence in nature and were honored for their
integrity and wisdom. Of this character were the wise men who
came to Jesus.
As these magi studied the starry heavens, they beheld the glory of
the Creator. Seeking clearer knowledge, they turned to the Hebrew
Scriptures. In their own land were prophetic writings that predicted
the coming of a divine teacher. Balaam’s prophecies had been
handed down by tradition from century to century. But in the Old
Testament the magi learned with joy that the Saviour’s coming was
near. The whole world was to be filled with a knowledge of the glory
of the Lord.
The wise men had seen a mysterious light in the heavens that
night when the glory of God flooded the hills of Bethlehem. A
luminous star appeared, and lingered in the sky, a phenomenon that
excited keen interest. That star was a company of shining angels,
but of this the wise men were ignorant. Yet they were impressed that
the star was of special import to them.
Could this strange star have been sent as a harbinger of the
[35]
Promised One? See
Numbers 24:17
. The magi had welcomed the
light of heaven-sent truth; now it was shed upon them in brighter
rays. Through dreams they were instructed to go in search of the
newborn Prince.
The Eastern country abounded in precious things, and the magi
did not set out empty-handed. The richest gifts the land afforded
34