Carey's Bible Study Notes
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journey of magi
life of christ: matthew 2.1-23
the journey of the magi
introduction
Before we look at the passage before us, we need to reflect on several prophecies the OT made about the Christ (Messiah). According to the OT, David one day would have a descendent who would reign upon his throne forever and ever. When first-century Jews read this prophecy, they believed that the Messiah would be a king just like his ancestor David. Other passages in the OT spoke about the Messiah in different terms. For example, Moses before he died predicted that one day God would send the Israelites another prophet who was going to be just like him (Deut. 18:18). The passages in Isaiah which spoke of a Suffering Servant troubled the Israelites because they believed that the Servant of the Lord was going to come and suffer for God�s people (Is. 53).
To their credit, the Jews tried to reconcile these different views about the Messiah; however, they could not. To them it seemed contradictory that the kingly descendent of David would suffer. Also, many believed that this Messiah like David was not going to be like Moses. In their view this was impossible because David and Moses were not alike; for example, Moses performed miracles, while David did not. Many Jews by the time of Jesus believed that on the basis of these passages 3 figures would appear at the end of time to bring in God�s kingdom: a king like David, a prophet like Moses, and a Suffering Servant. Some reduced the number down to 2 figures; however, none reduced this number down to one. Why would they? No mere mortal could fulfill all 3 functions. They were right. No mere mortal could ever fulfill all 3 functions; however, no mere mortal is exactly what Jesus is. Whereas man could never fulfill all 3 functions; God could, and that is who Christ is.
In the present passage, we see Jesus beginning to fulfill the prophecy that God would send to Israel a prophet like Moses. A cursory reading of the passage reveals similarities between the early life of Moses and the early life of Jesus. Other similarities will emerge as we look closer at the passage.
the worship of the magi (2.1-11)
By the time the present episode occurs, several months (maybe even a year) have elapsed since the birth of Jesus. Some Magi most likely from the east arrive in Jerusalem and ask for the location of the Child who has recently been born King of the Jews. According to the Magi, they saw the appearance of a new star while they were in the east and reasoned that it pointed to the birth of a new king. When the news of the Magi�s arrival and their questioning become known throughout Jerusalem, Herod the King and all those who lived in Jerusalem become deeply troubled. Herod welcomes the Magi and delves more deeply into their quest; after seeking out the council of his religious advisers, he informs them that the king of the Jews is supposed to be born in Bethlehem, a distance of only 5-6 miles from Jerusalem. After secretly discovering from the Magi when they had first seen the star and thereby pinpointing the time of the Baby�s birth, Herod sends them off to Bethlehem to locate the Child. He instructs them to return to him in order to inform him of the Baby�s location so that he too could come to worship Him. The Magi leave Jerusalem at evening time and rejoice greatly when the star not only reappears but actually leads them to the house where the Baby is living. They then worship the Baby by offering him the 3 gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
Several elements warrant close attention. First, just who were these Magi? Most likely they represented a caste of court officials from the area of Babylon who served as advisers to the rulers. They probably played roles similar to that played by Daniel when he lived in Babylon 600 years earlier in that they were experts in interpreting dreams. These Magi also excelled in the area of astronomy and also probably astrology. When a new star appeared in the heavens, they divined that it represented the birth of a new king. Those in the first century believed that a new star represented the birth of an important person. For example, a legend states that a new star appeared in the heavens when Caesar Augustus was born.
What led them to believe though that this star represented the birth of the King of the Jews, the Messiah? This is where Babylon comes in. The Magi were Gentiles who claimed that they saw the star in the east. This claim means one of 2 things or maybe even both: (1) the star made its first appearance in the east or (2) they lived in the east when they saw the star. Most likely both are true. Babylon fits the bill because first it was in the east and second a significant number of Jews lived in Babylon who would have spread the word about the coming of the Christ who would rule over all mankind. The appearance of this star convinced the Magi that the Messiah, the Christ, the King of the Jews had just been born. It was only natural that in looking for the Messiah they came first to Jerusalem because it was the capital city of the Jews.
Second, just why did Herod become troubled and Jerusalem with him? By this time Herod the Great was an old man who bitterly and fiercely destroyed any who might challenge his reign. He had not always been so. His father Antipater had been treated kindly by the Romans and placed in charge of Israel. He arranged it that his son Herod would ascend the throne over Israel. Herod cut a fine figure as a young man. In fact he was so fine that he attracted the attention of Cleopatra. Knowing that yielding to Cleopatra would incur the wrath of Marc Antony, he rebuffed her. Cleopatra was so angry at him that he fortified Masada, a fortress impregnable for that day and time, so that he could flee there in case she came after him.
Herod was a genius. He embarked upon the greatest building program up until that time in Israel�s history. Today you can still see ruins of magnificent palaces, amphitheaters, and other buildings he erected during his reign. His greatest piece of construction was the beautification of the Temple in Jerusalem. Whereas many Christians think of Solomon�s Temple as being splendid, the truth is that Herod�s Temple dwarfed the one Solomon built. The entire project lasted over 70 years. The rabbis would claim that you had seen nothing beautiful until you had seen Herod�s Temple.
Yet for all that Herod did for Israel, Israel hated him. She hated him first because he was a half-breed, half Jew and half Idumean. (The nation of Idumea came from the ancient nation of Edom founded by Esau, Jacob�s brother.) Second, she hated him because he was in league with the Romans. His power to rule came only from the Romans, and she resented him for that. Third, the Jews hated the Roman lifestyle he adopted which flew in the face of God�s Law. Today when you tour Israel you can see the Roman baths he constructed where more than simply bathing occurred. The Roman amphitheater he built in Caesarea provided rooms off the main entrances where people could go and vomit because they had gorged themselves with too much food. After relieving themselves, they could then go and eat some more until they needed to relieve themselves again.
Herod desperately tried to gain favor with the people by marrying the beautiful Mariamne, the rightful heir to the throne of Israel. All this was in vain though, and as a result, Herod always had to worry about being assassinated. His paranoia became so acute that he eventually murdered Mariamne and the 2 sons she bore him, Alexander and Aristobolus. He feared the Jews so much that when he built his palace on the outskirts of the city of Jerusalem, he built more watch towers on the walls facing the city than on the walls facing the country because he feared attack more from the Jews than from foreigners. Jerusalem needed to be afraid when they heard that an upstart king had been born who would tap into Herod�s paranoia.
Third, we need to look at why Herod was wanting to know when the star first appeared in the heavens. By gathering this bit of information, Herod was able to calculate the approximate age of the Child. According to the Magi, the star would have first appeared when the Baby was actually born. Discovering the first appearance of the star would then reveal the approximate age of the Child. This bit of information will factor in later when Herod decides to kill the children in Bethlehem.
Fourth, the climax of the story comes when the Magi arrive at Bethlehem and present their gifts to the Baby and His mother. As they were leaving Jerusalem for Bethlehem, the star once more appeared and this time supernaturally directed them to the actual house where the Baby resided. (First, note that the star was a supernatural phenomenon because of its ability actually to guide someone to a specific spot. Second, note that some time has elapsed since the birth of Jesus since the holy family no longer lives in a cave or shed but instead in a house. Apparently, Joseph was intending to raise David�s Son in the City of David). Upon arriving, the Magi then present their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the Baby and His mother.
The presentation of the 3 gifts climaxes the story of the Magi. Much has been made symbolically about the 3 gifts actually given: gold representing royalty; frankincense, deity; and myrrh, Jesus� future death and burial. Such reasoning is pure speculation. Whatever these gifts represent, they do reflect the great value the Magi placed upon this Child. These were expensive gifts not shared lightly. The fact the Magi gave these gifts to the Child showed that in their worship of Him, they valued Him greatly.
Whatever else we take away from this story, we need to take away the element of costly worship. When we reflect on who this Baby actually was and what He actually did in coming to earth, we should respond with costly worship. This Baby is nothing less than God the Son who gave up the splendor of heaven to become one of us so that He might make us become like Him. We should respond by giving to Him the most costly gifts we can give Him, ourselves. So many times we reduce our acts of worship to (1) going to SS and church and (2) tithing. Whereas these are important elements of worship, they are not the most important. In fact, if we completely reduce our worship to these 3 elements, then we have not worshipped the way God really wants us to worship. David writes: For Thou dost not delight in sacrifices; Otherwise, I would give it. Thou art not pleased with burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise!" (Ps. 51:16).
True worship is nothing less than giving ourselves completely to Him. Our will is now His. His agenda becomes our agenda. His way of relating to others becomes our way of relating to others. Each and every decision we make is nothing less than implementing the decision He has made for us. When that happens, we don�t have to worry about people coming to Bible study and worship on Sunday morning; we don�t have to worry about people tithing their incomes. It comes naturally because Christ will lead them to perform these specific acts of worship. It�s just that we need to put first things first; in this instance, that means we offer ourselves completely to Him. Let us respond properly to Christmas this year by giving ourselves in worship completely to Him. This year may we fill the shoes of the Magi and worship the Christ Child.
the flight into egypt (2.12-23)
That night while the Magi are asleep, an angel appears to them in their dream and informs them not to return to Herod because he is actually seeking to destroy the Child. They return to their home by taking another route. In the meantime, the angel appears to Joseph and warns him of the plot against the life of the Child and His mother. Joseph following the angel�s command takes the Baby and His mother, and flees to Egypt. When Herod realizes that the Magi have deceived him, he sends his soldiers to Bethlehem to massacre every male child 2 years of age and under. (He chooses this age probably based on the timing of the first appearance of the star.) Herod�s anger results in the death of the male children not only in Bethlehem but also in the surrounding areas. Herod is not taking any chances. After some time has passed, Herod the Great passes away, making it safe for the family to return home. Once more, Joseph seems to want to raise the Child in Bethlehem; however, Herod�s son Archelaeus ascends the throne over the region of Judea. Since Archelaeus is as wicked as his father, Joseph takes the Child to Nazareth to raise Him there.
Many have rejected this story as pure myth because first Josephus the Jewish historian does not mention this tragedy in his writings and second many believe that Herod he was would never have committed such a deed. Well, we first need to remember that probably not all that many babies were killed in this massacre. Bethlehem was a small city which would not have had many baby boys in it. The most boys killed probably numbered anywhere between 15-20; Josephus would probably not have thought that significant enough number to mention. Moreover, Josephus did not write about everything that happened in Israel.
With regards to the second objection, Herod was quite capable of committing such a heinous deed. Herod knew that the Jewish people hated him and would never mourn his death; therefore, he arranged to have 1000 of the leading Jewish men to be slaughtered at the time of his death. Herod determined that even if the Jews would not mourn him because he died, he would nevertheless make sure they mourned when he died. Fortunately, upon his death, the soldiers refused to carry out his edict. The death of some baby boys would not have concerned him that much, especially if one of them might dethrone him.
Even though the number of children destroyed was not that great, it was nevertheless a heinous deed Herod committed. Matthew pictures Rachel, the wife of Jacob and one of the mothers of the nation of Israel, weeping for her children who have been slaughtered. The passage in Jeremiah this verse is taken from is not only one of sorrow but also of hope. In Jeremiah, Rachel is pictured as weeping for her children who have been led off to Babylon in exile. The whole context of this passage though is positive because it claims that even though the Jews were being led off to exile, they one day would return to a glorious future in Israel. The same hope applies here. Even though the baby boys have been slaughtered, something is in the works which is going to result in a great and glorious future for God�s people.
Herod died a death commensurate with the crimes he committed. Josephus informs us that he contracted a type of intestinal cancer which devoured him from the waist down. The pain he suffered was immense. Puss flowed from his midsection. The foul odor which issued from his mouth stunk up the room. The one who had inflicted so much pain upon the Jews suffered that much pain himself. Joseph returns to Israel upon the news of Herod�s death.
Before leaving this passage, we first need to look at the person of Joseph. Normally, when we think of great persons in the birth narratives, we think mainly of Mary. Mary was wonderful; however, Joseph was too. Joseph took Mary to be his wife even though tongues wagged in Nazareth that he was marrying a slut. Moreover, he cared for the Child with the reputation of being illegitimate by taking His mother with him to Bethlehem. Joseph most likely played a major role in delivering the Child at the time of birth because there were no labor delivery rooms in the stall. Finally, because he obeyed God, the Child was rescued from Herod�s wrath. So much of Jesus� well-being as a child depended upon Joseph obeying God.
Second, at the beginning of this lesson we talked about Jesus being the prophet like Moses. Several elements in this story parallel the story of Moses. First, just like Moses� life was threatened at the beginning of his life when Pharaoh ordered all the male children to be born, so Jesus� life was threatened when Herod attempted to kill all the male babies in Bethlehem. Second, just like Moses resided in Egypt before coming to Israel, Jesus resided in Egypt and then came to Israel. These parallels plus others in the Gospel of Matthew serve to demonstrate that Jesus is the Prophet-like-Moses.
Why is it so important that Jesus be this Prophet-like-Moses? It is important because with the coming of this greater Prophet comes the Second Great Exodus. Fourteen hundred years earlier, Moses led the people in a great exodus which resulted in salvation for the Israelites. The most dramatic moment of salvation in the OT occurred when the Israelites were trapped between the Red Sea and Pharaoh�s army. God moved upon the surface of the Red Sea and delivered His people. As a great a salvation that was though, it pales in comparison to the salvation God gives us through this greater Moses, Jesus. God is now defeating the Sin within ourselves, Satan who began this whole sordid mess, and Death which lies in wait for those who fall. We experience a real taste of that salvation by the Holy Spirit living in us; however, it is only a taste. When Christ returns, we shall experience the fullness of all that God has for us in His Son.