The Weekend Word
Matthew 2:4-12
4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.
- Almost like when Nebuchadnezzar gathered his magicians etc and said interpret my dream.
- But doesn’t his request seem off – why would Herod even believe there was a Christ to come and that he would be a locally born Christ at that?
- You just know Herod that knew that this was more than a human king, he made the connection in his mind.
- Compare Herod’s reaction to that of the Wise Men. One decides to worship the other decides to murder.
- In a church service, 2 people sit side by side and hear the same message day after day – One believes and the other does not. Why???
- The other characters – the Chief Priests – Scribes
- We will describe them at another time are we run into them.
- The short version is that they are the politicians and the theologians.
- It’s amazing to me that Herod asked this question not because he wanted to really know where Christ would be born in order that he might take the knowledge of that truth and apply it properly, but that he might know it to use it for his own ends
- Some people are surprised, but not me, at how many people seek certain information from the Bible to be used for their own ends rather than to be used in the way God has designed it.
- Herod inquired of God’s word to use it in a manner sinfully, against the will of God. You don’t mess with the Bible this way..
5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:
6 “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’”
- They probably found it pretty quickly, even without Google – Micah 5:2
- Now, the question of the skeptics is “didn’t these writers just place Jesus in to this prophecy? From this Hugh Schonfeld wrote The Passover Plot.
7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared.
- The first meeting was public, but this meeting’s going be secret because Herod has a plan. But had to be subtle.
- Notice that he did not ask how old is the child? But he said, when did the star appear?
- Tell me about that star, you guys are big on stars, tell me about that, when did that appear? Is he playing on their interest in astrology? Astronomy?
- It is interesting that the star is not now visible at all, they saw it in the east it disappeared and they left and came to Jerusalem they haven’t seen it since.
- Who saw the star? Was it visible to the people in Jerusalem? Was it on the Jerusalem Eyewitness newscast?
- Faith is the missing ingredient to go with proof & evidence
- Herod called the chief priest and scribes and says “what’s going on here?”
- They show him the scriptural evidence of the present events, but he does not have the ‘eyes of faith’ – he has the evidence, he has seen the proof and it blows right by him – it just does not register.
- So Herod calls back in the wise men / magi.
8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.”
- I don’t think Herod was being genuine here.
- You could almost hear the hiss of the serpent (Satan) – now being played by Herod.
- This is not much different than those described in 1 John as antichrist – that even down to today, different people assume the role of antichrist – so in his day, the role of the serpent fell to Herod.
- Here is that cosmic battle played out in the first century. You need to understand the role of Herod in this Plan of Salvation
- Herod was an Edomite – the founder of the Edomites was Esau – the twin brother of Jacob (Israel). The Edomites are the forefathers of the Arab nations.
- Each ended up with a people – and Edom has been at constant strife with God’s people – constant attacks against the line of the seed.
- And here we now have Herod, playing his role like an Oscar winning actor – trying to destroy the seed himself.
9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was.
- The star again? Are they the only one’s seeing it?
- Now we are talking about being guided by the star. Earlier – the star was a sign – GO!
- Herod could have had his spies follow them – perhaps he did.
- “came to rest” – we are talking about a celestial GPS system.
10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.
- I think when they saw the star again; it confirmed that they were on a mission for God and not crazy guys.
- Now they have seen God’s sign in the sky and they have received the Word of God in Micah 5.
11 And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.
- Why would they bow down and worship a baby? Is this God worship or is it just the reverence you pay when coming in contact with a king?
- What kind of faith did they have?
- The gifts, what do they mean?
- Gold = Jesus’ Royalty
- Frankincense = Jesus’ Deity
- Myrrh = Jesus’ Humanity, Suffering & Death
12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.
- Was it a dream that brought them to Jerusalem in the first place? Was it a dream that said “look for the star?
- What does this mean? Who was the source of the dream?
- Did all the wise men get the dream or just the leader?
A minor point here Michael: “The Edomites are the forefathers of the Arab nations.” What is your source for that? It is my understanding that the Saudis are descendants of Midian who is one of Abraham’s eight sons. I know it is a common error for pastors to describe the Arabs as children of Ishmael. But that also does not line up with Genesis 25:1-6. You are claiming that they came through Isaac and Esau. I have noticed that many pastors quote Mohammed who claimed to be a descendant of Ismael and not Midian as if that was truth. Muslims believe Mohammed for he is their Prophet, and not scholars whom I have seen point to Midian who was Ismael’s brother.
Mr. J,
It’s my article. At best we have a competition of dueling scholars (and I don’t mean you and me 🙂 ) – Also, don’t confuse Arab for Muslim.
I am quite aware that most of the worlds Muslims are not Arabs. Muslims exist from the Balkans to Indonesia. And of course there are a few converts as well in Western countries. The Edomites lived in the small northwestern corner of what is today Saudi Arabia. They did not cover the whole of what is now knows as the Arab lands. From what I can find the modern day Arabs are likely a combination of many different tribes. There were many slave women brought back during the initial conquests from the areas that were conquered who had children. It is likely not accurate to state that the Arabs are truly descendants of any one person other than perhaps Noah. Ishmael and his brothers married with women who were already living there. The same would be true of Esau.
Mr. J – you could be right and my statement may be in err – the point is that the enemies of God could have been many and perhaps the Arabs were just forming. If you read Daniel and match up with the book of Maccabees you find the whole area populated by many varying groups.The Hasmoneans among others.
My point about Muslims is that they were irrelevant as they did not exist for another 600 yrs after Christ. In the end, the devil is the enemy of God and I am sure he was not an Arab 😉
I’m struck by two things in particular: (1) the “king” of the Jews didn’t know his Scripture on a central prophesy; and (2) when he heard the Word, his heart and those of his court, who enjoyed power and wealth, were hardened from receiving the Gospel.
“When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path.” (Matthew 13:19)
What prevents one from understanding?
Herod was not a Jew, therefore they were not his scriptures and most likely he wouldn’t know them.
The thing of this time is that Herod was nothing more than a placeholder – saving the spot open for THE KING (who opposed to popular opinion was not Elvis).
My position has been that God was done with Israel at the captivity – left the Temple and never returned … and all those years were occupied by “placeholders”. There was a prophetic voice in the captivity to point the Jews to what will come – then we have the 400 years of prophetic silence until John the B shows up in the next chapter.
It may sound a bit circular but unbelief prevents understanding.
But I am interested in the wording of verse 4 – was Herod asking about the birth of Christ or did Matthew put those words in his mouth – a tool so his students would understand?
In verse 11 I asked the question “Why would they bow down and worship a baby? Is this God worship or is it just the reverence you pay when coming in contact with a king?”
Any opinions? Did they bow to a divine baby or just to a new ruling king?
Me? I think they knew – I think these guys are the first gentile believers
I agree MLD. I think they were graced with faith from God. Why else would these guys travel so far to come to give these extraordinary gifts and bow to a little baby with peasant parents? They had to know He was the Son of God.
funny, i never questioned that, whoever these men were or how many, that they’s interpreted the significance of the heavenly display (star) and knew who Jesus was…
but i think/believe they were Jews who did not return after the Babylonian exile, but like the Jews who did return (and Jews in other areas who didn’t) knew of the promised King… i doubt that they anticipated the crucifixion, if the Jewish community that IS recorded for us is any indicator…
dunno, tho, just makes the most sense to me
MLD @ 8… is correct. 🙂
Em, what makes you think they were Jews?
Jean asks a good question above:
“What prevents one from understanding?”
Perhaps it just comes down to whether one recognizes a need to be saved from oneself.
and what about the gifts – did they bring the same gift baskets to all newly recognized kings or was this special / different?
These particular gifts foreshadowed the life of Jesus is a very specific way, even if they were commonly given to kings in the ancient world.
@6 – There was not just a prophetic voice in the captivity but a prophetic voice(s) after the captivity before the years of silence.
There was also history recorded for us of Israel, as history, as a nation, after the captivity.
There was also a prophetic voice(s) making clear God intended to bring Israel back from captivity to the land. BEFORE the captivity took place. Daniel was reading one such prophecy while in captivity
These statements are irrefutable – no matter your systematic theology.
I used prophetic voice in the singular as it is God’s voice – knowing there were several prophets.
No doubt the message was that the people would return.
No doubt that the history shows that the people returned
What is missing is did God return?
** the main point to the actual article was who was Herod and would he personally know the Jewish scriptures.**
Regarding the gifts: Then there’s the fact that it took some faith to roll into King Herods territory with these royal gifts for the real Ruler of Isreal.
why do i think the Magii were likely Jews? only a very small number of the Jews that went into Babylon returned when given the opportunity (i think scripture records the number) – if memory serves me, the Jews that went into captivity in the first place were selected for their skills and obviously appreciated by Nebuchadnezzar, so perhaps the idea of going back to a spoiled land and starting over didn’t appeal much – however, i have heard that they didn’t all remain in Babylon either, but moved out into surrounding areas where commerce was good and a good life was to be had… i’m sure they took their “traditions” with them then, also
dunno, tho, do i? 🙂
Interesting thanks Em. I wonder though if Jews in those days would practice what the Magi practiced. I thought it was generally looked down upon in those days amongst the Jews.
“But I am interested in the wording of verse 4 – was Herod asking about the birth of Christ or did Matthew put those words in his mouth – a tool so his students would understand?”
If Herod wasn’t a Jew and didn’t know scripture, then how would he know who Christ is?
If he finds this out from the Chief Priests and Scribes, why weren’t they a little more curious about Herods question? It seems like they’d be amazed by the Magi’s story and do all they could to find out more about this.
JoelG, that is why I brought it up. It goes to show that the gospel writers, Matthew in this case crafted their stories to make a point or to order events to help carry out a point. Of course Herod would not have asked about the Christ – but Matthew wanted to be clear to his students (and later readers) who the players were.
Matthew is set up and ordered around the 5 major speeches (discourses in theology speak) Jesus gave.
JoelG @19, i don’t know about that practice either, it would be interesting to run it down…
they did keep track of the seasons, the locations of the stars and phases of the moon… so what was going on in the sky was necessary to carry out their obligations to observe the feasts… (assuming that they, in some form, held onto the practices and disciplines that were part of their heritage as Jews) … again – dunno – i just ponder
“Observe, in Herod’s inquiry and subsequent action, the combination of superstition and irreligion. He was willing to accept the witness of stars and of prophecies, but not willing to allow himself to be morally influenced by it. His attempt to kill this Child was the expression of a desire to destroy the Jewish nationality so far as this was severed from himself, and perhaps with it to uproot at the same time a fundamental part of the Jewish religion.”
-Pulpit Commentary
Fascinating commentary on the origin of the Magi
http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/anf01.viii.iv.lxxviii.html
“Of course Herod would not have asked about the Christ – ”
Sure he did. His question wasn’t sincere in wanting to worship Him, but he absolutely asked the question.
@19 Joel, the early church struggled with that question as well. Tertullian says that God used astrology up until the time of Gospel, and then no longer after that. He is also the first one that we know that referred to them as kings. (around 200 AD)
#26 – If this is true, then Herod was a believer as well but responded by hardening his heart toward God in the same way that Pharaoh hardened his heart after seeing God’s power. On a side note this response by Herod is an interesting contrast to the Rich Young Ruler who went away sorrowful instead of hardened.
No, Herod was not a believer. He was a paranoid lunatic who wanted to keep his pace in charge of the Jews. His question was not sincere. He was trying to find the next rival so he could kill them off.
Only a believer in the sense that he believed the Magi, Scribes and Chief Priests’ stories about Christ. And then arrogantly believing he could impose his will against signs and prophesies that were over his head.
Oh yes, I see now. However, he may not have even believed, just was willing to kill…just in case.
Herod was looking strictly for a challenging king.
Right, and as you pointed out last week, he wasn’t to discerning about who that might be. IF they may be a threat someday, he has them killed.