Incarnation and Early Life of Christ
117
place the priests and rabbis in a most unenviable position, disproving
their claim to be the exponents of the truth of God. These learned
teachers would not stoop to be instructed by those whom they termed
heathen. It could not be, they said, that God had passed them by
to communicate with ignorant shepherds or uncircumcised Gentiles.
They determined to show their contempt for the reports that were
exciting King Herod and all Jerusalem. They would not even go to
Bethlehem to see whether these things were so....
The wise men departed alone from Jerusalem. The shadows of
night were falling as they left the gates, but to their great joy they
again saw the star, and were directed to Bethlehem. They had received
no such intimation of the lowly estate of Jesus as was given to the
shepherds.... At Bethlehem they found no royal guard stationed to
protect the newborn King. None of the world’s honored men were in
attendance. Jesus was cradled in a manger. His parents, uneducated
peasants, were His only guardians....
“When they were come into the house, they saw the young child
with Mary His mother, and fell down, and worshiped Him.” Beneath
the lowly guise of Jesus, they recognized the presence of Divinity.—
The Desire of Ages, 61-63
.
[165]
After the mission of the wise men had been accomplished, they
were purposing to return, and bear the joyful news to Herod of the
success of their journey. But God sent His angels in the night season
to turn the course of the wise men. In the vision of the night they
were plainly told not to return to Herod. They obeyed the heavenly
messengers, and returned to their homes another way.—
Redemption
or the First Advent of Christ With His Life and Ministry 19
.
In like manner Joseph received warning to flee into Egypt with
Mary and the child. And the angel said, “Be thou there until I bring
thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy Him.” Joseph
obeyed without delay, setting out on the journey by night for greater
security....
Herod in Jerusalem impatiently awaited the return of the wise men.
As time passed, and they did not appear, his suspicions were roused....
Soldiers were at once sent to Bethlehem, with orders to put to death
all the children of two years and under.—
The Desire of Ages, 64-66
.