The Wise Men

written by Brad Boruff on the topic of Bible Studies, Featured on December, 2011

“Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea 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” (Matthew 2:1-2).

Little is known about the men mentioned in Matthew chapter 2, but many people like to speculate about who they were and where they came from. It is certain that God wanted us to know about them, but all that we can learn from them is not readily apparent.
But first, what do we know about these men?

1. They were wise.

We do not know all the reasons they would have been considered wise men, but they were obviously men of learning and men of means. They studied the heavens and understood that there was a special significance attached to the star that they saw. They had the time and resources for a long journey to bring expensive gifts to a Child Who was born King.

2. They were from the east.

We do not know exactly where they came from, but we know it was east of Jerusalem. Many have suggested that they came from Babylon and that they must have studied the writings of Daniel containing prophesies concerning the Messiah. Some even think that they may have also been the descendants displaced Jews who had simply never returned to their homeland. Though these explanations seem likely, we only really know for sure that they came from the east.

3. They came to worship the One Who was born King of the Jews.

“…for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him” (Matthew 2:2).

They were convinced that the star indicated the birth of a king. It seems that they were unconcerned about the potential political implications of their visit. They only knew that the prophesied King of the Jews had been born, but they did not know exactly where to look for Him. They came to Jerusalem, went to the person in charge, and asked where the new kKing was. Their mission was to find the young child and to worship Him.

4. They saw a star.

“…for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him” (Matthew 2:2).

“When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was” (Matthew 2:9).

We were not there. We do not know for certain exactly what they saw (though there have been some amazing findings by people who study the stars and have used specially designed computer programs to determine what they might have seen), but we know they saw a star. They were convinced based on what they saw and what they knew about the heavens that this was the star of a King worthy of worship, even as a little child.

5. They were excited about seeing the star and seeing the child.

“When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy” (Matthew 2:10).

These men were affected by what they had learned. They believed that this Child was extremely important. As far as we know, no one made them take this journey, they were on their own. They wanted to see this Child and they wanted to worship Him. The closer they got to seeing Him, the more excited they became.

6. God spoke to them in a dream and warned them to return another way.

“And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way” (Matthew 2:12).

We don’t know whether God warned all of them individually and separately, or if He only warned one of them. We don’t know how God warned them; we just know that God dealt with them directly about avoiding Herod, and that they obeyed.

7. They did not see the Christ as a baby in a manger.

“When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was” (Matthew 2:9).

“And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh” (Matthew 2:11).

In Luke chapter two, we find a baby in a manger outside an inn. Here in this story we find a young child in a house. Most nativity scenes are a bit inaccurate in that they include shepherds and wise men, as well as a few angels and the star. A closer look reveals that these were two different events in the early life of Christ.

8. They brought gifts.

“And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh,” (Matthew 2:11).

There were three gifts (or at least three kinds of gifts); gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. We don’t know how many men there were, but a common assumption is that there were three, based on the three types of gifts.

It is important to notice that these were expensive and rare gifts, gifts that were appropriate for royalty. These men wanted to give their best to the newborn King.

There is a great deal that we do not know about the wise men; but as we compare ourselves to what we do know, these simple thoughts should inspire us to do more in our service to the King of kings.
-We ought to do everything in our power to learn more about Him.
-We ought to get more excited about Him the closer we get to Him.
-We ought to worship Him.
-We must always give Him our best.

These are markings of truly wise men. Are we seeking Him?