ight men who studied the indications of Providence in nature,
and who were honored for their integrity and wisdom. Of this character
were the wise men who came to Jesus.
The light of God is ever shining amid the darkness of heathenism.
As these magi studied the starry heavens, and sought to fathom the
mystery hidden in their bright paths, they beheld the glory of the Creator.
Seeking clearer knowledge, they turned to the Hebrew Scriptures.
In their own land were treasured prophetic writings that predicted the
coming of a divine teacher. Balaam belonged to the magicians, though
at one time a prophet of God; by the Holy Spirit he had foretold the
prosperity of Israel and the appearing of the Messiah; and his prophe-
[60] cies had been handed down by tradition from century to century. But
in the Old Testament the Saviour’s advent was more clearly revealed.
The magi learned with joy that His coming was near, and that 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 upon
that night when the glory of God flooded the hills of Bethlehem. As
the light faded, a luminous star appeared, and lingered in the sky. It
was not a fixed star nor a planet, and the phenomenon excited the
keenest interest. That star was a distant company of shining angels,
but of this the wise men were ignorant. Yet they were impressed that
38
“We Have Seen His Star” 39
the star was of special import to them. They consulted priests and
philosophers, and searched the scrolls of the ancient records. The
prophecy of Balaam had declared, “There shall come a Star out of
Jacob, and a Scepter shall rise out of Israel.” Numbers 24:17. Could
this strange star have been sent as a harbinger of the Promised One?
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.
As by faith Abraham went forth at the call of God, “not knowing
whither he went” (Hebrews 11:8); as by faith Israel followed the pillar
of cloud to the Promised Land, so did these Gentiles go forth to find the
promised Saviour. The Eastern country abounded in precious things,
and the magi did not set out empty-handed. It was the custom to offer
presents as an act of homage to princes or other personages of rank,
and the richest gifts the land afforded were borne as an offering to
Him in whom all the families of the earth were to be blessed. It was
necessary to journey by night in order to keep the star in view; but
the travelers beguiled the hours by repeating traditional sayings and
prophetic utterances concerning the One they sought. At every pause
for rest they searched the prophecies; and the conviction deepened that
they were divinely guided. While they had the star before them as an
outward sign, they had also the inward evidence of the Holy Spirit,
which was impressing their hearts, and inspiring them with hope. The
journey, though long, was a happy one to them.
They have reached the land of Israel, and are descending the Mount
of Olives, with Jerusalem in sight, when, lo, the star that has guided
them all the weary way rests above the temple, and after a season
fades from their view. With eager steps they press onward, confidently
expecting the Messiah’s birth to be the joyful burden of every tongue.
But their inquiries are in vain. Entering the holy city, they repair to the [61]
temple. To their amazement they find none who seem to have a knowledge
of the newborn king. Their questions call forth no expressions of
joy, but rather of surprise and fear, not unmingled with contempt.
The priests are rehearsing traditions. They extol their religion
and their own piety, while they denounce the Greeks and Romans as
heathen, and sinners above others. The wise men are not idolaters,
and in the sight of God they stand far higher than do these, His professed
worshipers; yet they are looked upon by the Jews as heathen.
40 The Desire of Ages
Even among the appointed guardians of the Holy Oracles their eager
questionings touch no chord of sympathy.
The arrival of the magi was quickly noised throughout Jerusalem.
Their strange errand created an excitement among the people, which
penetrated to the palace of King Herod. The wily Edomite was aroused
at the intimation of a possible rival. Countless murders had stained
his pathway to the throne. Being of alien blood, he was hated by the
people over whom he ruled. His only security was the favor of Rome.
But this new Prince had a higher claim. He was born to the kingdom.
Herod suspected the priests of plotting with the strangers to excite
a popular tumult and unseat him from the throne. He concealed his
mistrust, however, determined to thwart their schemes by superior
[62] cunning. Summoning the chief priests and the scribes, he questioned
them as to the teaching of their sacred books in regard to the place of
the Messiah’s birth.
This inquiry from the usurper of the throne, and made at the request
of strangers, stung the pride of the Jewish teachers. The indifference
with which they turned to the rolls of prophecy enraged the jealous
tyrant. He thought them trying to conceal their knowledge of the matter.
With an authority they dared not disregard, he commanded them to
make close search, and to declare the birthplace of their expected King.
“And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judea: for thus it is written
by the prophet,
“And thou Bethlehem, land of Judah,
Art in nowise least among the princes of Judah:
For out of thee shall come forth a governor,
Which shall be shepherd of My people Israel.”
R. V.
Herod now invited the magi to a private interview. A tempest of
wrath and fear was raging in his heart, but he preserved a calm exterior,
and received the strangers courteously. He inquired at what time the
star had appeared, and professed to hail with joy the intimation of the
birth of Christ. He bade his visitors, “Search diligently for the young
child; and when ye have found Him, bring me word again, that I may
come and worship Him also.” So saying, he dismissed them to go on
their way to Bethlehem.
“We Have Seen His Star” 41
The priests and elders of Jerusalem were not as ignorant concerning
the birth of Christ as they pretended. The report of the angels’ visit to
the shepherds had been brought to Jerusalem, but the rabbis had treated
it as unworthy of their notice. They themselves might have found
Jesus, and might have been ready to lead the magi to His birthplace;
but instead of this, the wise men came to call their attention to the birth
of the Messiah. “Where is He that is born King of the Jews?” they
said; “for we have seen His star in the East, and are come to worship
Him.”
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Now pride and envy closed the door against the light. If the reports
brought by the shepherds and the wise men were credited, they would
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 she
