by Timothy W. Burnett
In the Companion Bible, E.W. Bullinger noted the spiritual significance of numbers used in the Bible. He explained that the number six denoted the "human number." He noted that man was formed, made and created on the sixth day. Bullinger also explained the numbers two and tree.
The number two denoted "difference." In context it symbolized the principle that if two different people agree in testimony, then it is conclusive or established. The number three denoted completeness as three straight lines complete a geometric plane. Based on this information, it can be seen that God completely established for Mary, through others, that she was carrying His son, for 3 x 2 = 6.
When we add Mary's initial encounter with the angel Gabriel, the count comes to seven. Bullinger explained that the number seven denoted spiritual perfection. He noted it was "the number or hallmark of the Holy Spirit's work."
We continue with the records of Jesus Christ's birth in Matthew 2:1-11, "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.'"
During the time of Jesus' birth, an unnumbered group of men identified a star that signified the birth of the "King of the Jews." Who were these men? What star did they see? What was so special about this star?
In short, the "wise men" were an elite cast of people who committed their lives to tracking the stars. Biblical scholars have suggested they were descendents of the elite people who were instructed by Daniel (see Daniel 2:2, 47-48). If Daniel instructed them, then they were surely instructed according to the truth of God's word. They would have also been instructed on God's word written in the stars.
Genesis 1:14 reads, "And God said, 'Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years.'" God put the stars in the heavens for signs of things to come, for seasons of appointed times and for days and years. Psalms chapter 19 beautifully opens up the subject of God's word in the stars.
The "wise men" of Matthew 2:1 no doubt had a solid grasp of the signs and seasons laid out in the heavens. Their knowledge would have been passed down from generation to generation as they continued to track the heavens for signs of things to come, and the seasons of appointed times.
During the time of Jesus' birth, they began to notice very significant signs in the heavens. The astronomical events would have been so significant that they went to Jerusalem to inquire about the birth of the "King of the Jews." They were even prepared to pay homage to the King. There was no doubt in their minds that a "King of the Jews" was born. It was only a matter of finding him.
The next series of articles on the "wise men" and Jesus' star will utilize the excellent research and books by authors Ernest L. Martin, Victor Paul Wierwille and E.W. Bullinger, all of whom reverently synthesized astronomy with God's word written in the stars.
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