The Christmas Story Part 3 Wise Men From Babylon Sought Jesus

We are looking at the Christmas story, primarily from the gospel of Matthew.

We want to know what happened when Jesus was born and why God became a man.

We want to take note of the details because most have heard the account of Jesus' birth, and we can often read over what God wants us to know about His Son's birth.

Matthew already told us how Mary was impregnated by the Holy Spirit of God and how the angel of the Lord spoke to Joseph.

We noted that Joseph truly loved Mary and was a man of great integrity.

The angel of the Lord even told Joseph what name to use for the Son that would be born.

His name would be called Jesus, literally meaning Jehovah saves.

We are not yet looking into Luke's record of Christ's birth but the wise men were not the first ones to seek Jesus.

That honor belonged to simple shepherds in the country near Bethlehem.

A host of angels filled the night sky with dazzling light and announced that Christ the savior was born and that they could find Him wrapped in swaddling clothes in a manger.

He was born in the city of David which is Bethlehem. (See Luke 2:8-20).

Thus, the first to honor Christ were humble men, keepers of sheep and it reminds us that Jesus is the Good Shepherd who came to seek and save the lost.

Wise men from Babylonia were exposed to truth taught by Daniel the prophet.

Matthew 2:1-2  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, 2  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.

We learned what a wicked man king Herod was. 

This man was paranoid at times, and even had three of his sons and his first wife executed!

The arrival of wise men who sought to find Jesus Christ, the Messiah, caused turmoil in Herod's wicked heart.

We already learned that Jesus is the bread of life who came down from heaven to give eternal life to all who repent of sin and believe on Him. 

We also saw that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, the city of bread, a town very much connected with the royal line of King David.

The Greek word translated "wise men" is contained in the word "magician" although they were more like astrologers. 

The word translated "wise men" refers to oriental wise men  or astrologers, who discovered by observing a remarkable star, that the Messiah had been born.

They made a long and hard journey to Jerusalem to seek him.

Scripture tells us from the east and we may have a good idea of the country they came from.

Babylon is located directly east and about 420 miles away from Jerusalem.

It is highly probable that the wise men came from Babylon.

Before the Babylonian empire, there existed a groups of scholars known as the Chaldeans.

These men were students of astrology and interpreters of dreams and omens. 

They evolved into a scholarly type of religion and the best known of these cults is Zoroastrianism. 

These wise men were highly valued by Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians and the Medes as advisors to kings.

The sphere of wise men or magi's influence lasted from about 900 BC to 300 AD.

The prophet Daniel and his three Hebrew companions, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego lived during the early period of the Chaldean cult.

Nebuchadnezzar was troubled by a dream and called the Chaldean wise men to interpret it. 

Daniel 2:1-2  And in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, wherewith his spirit was troubled, and his sleep brake from him. 2  Then the king commanded to call the magicians, and the astrologers, and the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans, for to shew the king his dreams. So they came and stood before the king. 

There are direct interactions between Daniel and the Chaldean wise men.

First, Nebuchadnezzar was a powerful ruler in Babylon who conquered many nations and established an empire. 

The king had a dream that troubled him greatly and as was common for kings to do, he called the wise men.

The wise men were connected with magic like Pharoah's magicians. They were skilled in astrology and sorcery which involved interpreting dreams and divination. 

The wise men were hastily summoned to interpret Nebuchadnezzar's dream.

Daniel 2:3-13  And the king said unto them, I have dreamed a dream, and my spirit was troubled to know the dream. 4  Then spake the Chaldeans to the king in Syriack, O king, live for ever: tell thy servants the dream, and we will shew the interpretation. 5  The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, The thing is gone from me: if ye will not make known unto me the dream, with the interpretation thereof, ye shall be cut in pieces, and your houses shall be made a dunghill. 6  But if ye shew the dream, and the interpretation thereof, ye shall receive of me gifts and rewards and great honour: therefore shew me the dream, and the interpretation thereof. 7  They answered again and said, Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will shew the interpretation of it. 8  The king answered and said, I know of certainty that ye would gain the time, because ye see the thing is gone from me. 9  But if ye will not make known unto me the dream, there is but one decree for you: for ye have prepared lying and corrupt words to speak before me, till the time be changed: therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that ye can shew me the interpretation thereof. 10  The Chaldeans answered before the king, and said, There is not a man upon the earth that can shew the king's matter: therefore there is no king, lord, nor ruler, that asked such things at any magician, or astrologer, or Chaldean. 11  And it is a rare thing that the king requireth, and there is none other that can shew it before the king, except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh. 12  For this cause the king was angry and very furious, and commanded to destroy all the wise men of Babylon. 13  And the decree went forth that the wise men should be slain; and they sought Daniel and his fellows to be slain. 

The king demanded that the wise men interpret his dream even though he could no longer recall it.

Failure to interpret his dream meant that the Chaldeans would be executed by being dismembered and their houses and families wiped out.

However, it they managed to interpret his dream then the king would bestow great honor and lavish gifts upon them.

The Chaldean wise men readily admitted that they could not interpret the dream if Nebuchadnezzar could not provide any details.

The king was furious and accused them of putting him off until they could meet together to come up with some false interpretation.

Why does this narrative matter? 

Because Daniel and his companions lived in Babylon and were educated in the culture, language and customs of the Babylonians.

Thus, they were considered as part of the Chaldean wise men and the young Hebrews were also in danger of being executed.

Daniel went into to the king as asked for time to pray so that he could interpret the dream for Nebuchadnezzar.

His request was granted and the four Hebrews began fasting and praying to God about this dream.

Daniel 2:46-49  Then the king Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face, and worshipped Daniel, and commanded that they should offer an oblation and sweet odours unto him. 47  The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this secret. 48  Then the king made Daniel a great man, and gave him many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon. 49  Then Daniel requested of the king, and he set Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, over the affairs of the province of Babylon: but Daniel sat in the gate of the king. 

God gave Daniel the dream and it's proper interpretation. 

Daniel explained its meaning to the king and Nebuchadnezzar rewarded Daniel and his companions by placing them in charge of governing the province.

Nebuchadnezzar had a second dream and his wise men were unable to interpret it but he called Daniel and once more, God's prophet interpreted the dream for Nebuchadnezzar.

Many years after Nebuchadnezzar's reign was over, a ruler named Belshazzar made a pagan feast of drunken debauchery and they desecrated the holy vessels taken from the Temple of Solomon in Jerusalem.

A hand appeared and wrote a message on the wall. The king called for his wise men and they were unable to interpret its meaning.

One of them remembered Daniel and he was called once more and gave the proper interpretation of it.

Belshazzar made Daniel the third ruler in the kingdom (See Daniel 5).

Daniel 6:1-3  It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom; 2  And over these three presidents; of whom Daniel was first: that the princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage. 3  Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm. 

The Persians then conquered the Babylonians and Darius the Mede became king. 

He set up three princes to govern this vast kingdom of 127 provinces and he set Daniel up as the chief of these leaders.

Daniel was a man of great integrity and was known as a man of the One, True God of heaven.

This chapter tells us about Daniel being cast into the lion's den and how God intervened and rescued His prophet.

Thus, Daniel prospered during the Persian empire.

The remainder of the book of Daniel tells us about the many visions of the end times and of Israel's Messiah.

I share this context to show that some of honorable wise men who knew Daniel were likely to have preserved knowledge about Messiah from Daniel and passed it down for each generation of magi.

This is why they studied the stars because they anticipated a special sign from God about the birth of His Son.

Therefore, it is very probable that Daniel pointed the wise men to Micah 5:2 and Bethlehem as the place of Messiah's birth.

Numbers 24:17  I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.

This is a prophecy of Balaam that looked forward to the time when Messiah would be born.

Daniel could have pointed them to this prophecy concerning Messiah and a special star.

The wise men would have connected this special star as a sign of Messiah with the location of Messiahs' birth at Bethlehem.

Messiah's name given before He was born. He comes with light for the Gentiles and His mouth is like a sharp sword.

Isaiah 49:1-6  Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. 2  And he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he hid me; 3  And said unto me, Thou art my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified. 4  Then I said, I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for nought, and in vain: yet surely my judgment is with the LORD, and my work with my God. 5  And now, saith the LORD that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the LORD, and my God shall be my strength. 6  And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth. 

This is one more prophecy about Messiah and it also speaks of Him as a light unto the Gentiles.

The phrase "The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name" connects with Matthew 1:18-25).

Joseph was given the name for Jesus before He was born, while He was yet in His mother's womb.

Isaiah 49:2 speaks of Messiah having a tongue like a sharp sword and this same imagery is used to describe Christ returning to judge the nations in power and glory.

Revelation 19:11-15  And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12  His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13  And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 14  And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15  And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 

Isaiah 49:4 speaks prophetically of Christ's ministry to the Jewish people and how most rejected Him as Messiah (See John 1:11).

Isaiah 49:5 speaks of Christ's future return in glory when He shall set things right and establish Israel as the head of the nations.

Isaiah 49:6 says that Messiah will be a light reaching out to the Gentiles, a beacon of hope in the darkness of a sin cursed world (See John 1:4-9; 3:19; 12:35). 

Messiah's gospel will reach the ends of the earth and be proclaimed in every place and all nations shall learn of Jehovah's salvation.

There is light from Messiah that shone brightly into the world, calling people to repentance.

Isaiah 9:2  The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.

This text prophetically speaks of Christ the Messiah and was applied to Jesus when He began His public ministry (See Matthew 4:16).

Isaiah 60:1-3  Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. 2  For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. 3  And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. 

This prophecy of Isaiah also connects with the coming of Messiah.

Though it does not mention a star it does speak of the light of the glory of Jehovah appearing.

It speaks of Gentiles like the Magi, seeing this light and being drawn to its brightness.

Isaiah was guided by the Spirit of God to use the words "arise, risen and rising" to describe this light.

There are stars that rise from beneath the Eastern horizon and set below the Western horizon.

They are called rising and setting stars.

Isaiah's use of these particular words seem to indicate that the Magi saw this star rise from the Eastern horizon and that they followed it each night.

Since God said this would be a distinctive sign only for Messiah, it is reasonable to believe that God set the path of this stars course to go right over Bethlehem.

Malachi 4:2  But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. 

Malachi was the last Old Testament prophet and when He concluded the message God gave him, this was followed by 400 silent years when God did not speak and did not send His prophets to Israel.

Messiah is connected with the brightness of the sun and said to arise with healing in His wings.

Think about how many multitudes of people were healed by Jesus during His public ministry!

Messiah would grow up as the calves of the stall may also be a foreshadowing of Christ's birthplace in a manger where livestock were kept.

Matthew 2:1-2  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, 2  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 book of Daniel shows why the wise men were looking for a star as a sign announcing Messiah's birth. 

Daniel's influence as a prophet of God and as a man of great integrity is why the wise man respected truth Daniel shared with them.

Thus, they traveled a great distance to pay honor and worship this Messiah who would be King of all kings. 

What can we conclude about the wise men?

This we are sure of, that they were Gentiles who did not belong to the commonwealth of Israel. 

The Jews were not looking for Christ, but these Gentile wise men diligently sought Him out. 

Matthew 8:10-12  When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. 11  And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. 12  But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth

Jesus healed the loyal servant of a Gentile Roman centurion because he had faith in Jesus Christ.

The Lord commended him for having faith and said that He had not found similar great faith in all of Israel, to that point in His ministry.

This seems to be an accurate portrayal of Israel during the life and ministry of Jesus Christ.

They were not looking for their Messiah to come. 

Pharisees, Sadducees, Herodians and scribes each had a selfish, man centered earthly agenda.

Most of them did not worship God in spirit and in truth.

But God had been preparing the way for the Gentiles to be included in His kingdom for a long time, and the wise men's search for Christ bears this out.

God planned to save Gentiles as well as Jews through faith in Christ.

Genesis 12:1-3  Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: 2  And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: 3  And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. 

Ephesians 2:11-13  Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 12  That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: 13  But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 

The respect paid to Christ by these Gentiles was a blessed preview of what would follow when the church was birthed at Pentecost and the gospel began to spread into the world.

As the gospel of Christ spread, Gentiles who were afar off heard it gladly and were drawn nigh by the blood of Christ.

Gentiles were without Christ and were estranged from the commonwealth of Israel.

They did not know the One, True God of heaven and earth. 

They worshipped idols saturated with pagan practices and sensuality.

Gentiles had no hope and were without God, yet these wise men were open to what they learned from Daniel. 

They were seeking the God whom Daniel served with great hope and anticipation.

Thus, the wise men's role in the Christmas story teaches us about the heart of God.

Though Israel often strayed and fell into idolatry, God was always faithful to keep His promises.

He literally fulfilled dozens of ancient prophecies in the birth and life of Christ, in order to bring salvation to sinful people, both Jews and Gentiles.

God is not willing that any sinner should perish, but that all should come to repentant faith in His Son, Jesus Christ (See 2 Peter 3:9).

God takes no pleasure in the death of sinners (See Ezekiel 18:32).

God promises to create a new heart in us and give us a new spirit when we repent and trust Christ (See Ezekiel 11:19-20; 36:24-27).

God's will is for all men, Jew and Gentile, to be saved and to come to the knowledge of eternal truth in His Word (See 1 Timothy 2:1-6).

God's great love sent His only begotten Son into the world to die for the sins of all humanity for all of time, so that those who hear the gospel might repent and believe (See John 3:16-1).

It is the good news of the gospel of Christ that prompted the wise men's diligent quest to find the Christ child.

May this same good news fill our hearts with Joy.

May God use us to reach others with the gospel of Christ.

May we be among those who worship God in spirit and in truth and who seek to honor Him.

May we spend time contemplating afresh the joy of Christmas and the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Bob