Any day is a good Day to look to the Love and Warmth of Matthew Henry.
Who and what these wise men were; they are here called Magoi—Magicians. Some that it in a good sense; the Magi among the Persians were their philosophers and their priests; nor would they admit any one for their king who had not first been enrolled among the Magi; others think they dealt in unlawful arts; the word is used of Simon, the sorcerer (Acts 8:9, 11), and of Elymas, the sorcerer (Acts 13:6), nor does the scripture use it in any other sense; and then it was an early instance and presage of Christ's victory over the devil, when those who had been so much his devotees became the early adorers even of the infant Jesus; so soon were trophies of his victory over the powers of darkness erected. Well, whatever sort of wise men they were before, now they began to be wise men indeed when they set themselves to inquire after Christ.
This we are sure of, 1. That they were Gentiles, and not belonging to the commonwealth of Israel.
The Jews regarded not Christ, but these Gentiles enquired him out. Note, Many times those who are nearest to the means, are furthest from the end. See ch. 8:11, 12. The respect paid to Christ by these Gentiles was a happy presage and specimen of what would follow when those who were afar off should be made nigh by Christ. 2. That they were scholars. They dealt in arts, curious arts; good scholars should be good Christians, and then they complete their learning when they learn Christ. 3. That they were men of the east, who were noted for their soothsaying, Isa. 2:6. Arabia is called the land of the east (Gen. 25:6), and the Arabians are called men of the east, Jdg. 6:3. The presents they brought were the products of that country; the Arabians had done homage to David and Solomon as types of Christ. Jethro and Job were of that country. More than this we have not to say of them.
III. What induced them to make this inquiry. They, in their country, which was in the east, had seen an extraordinary star, such as they had not seen before; which they took to be an indication of an extraordinary person born in the land of Judea, over which land this star was seen to hover, in the nature of a comet, or a meteor rather, in the lowers regions of the air; this differed so much from anything that was common that they concluded it to signify something uncommon. Note, Extraordinary appearances of God in the creatures should put us upon enquiring after his mind and will therein; Christ foretold signs in the heavens. The birth of Christ was notified to the Jewish shepherds by an angel, to the Gentile philosophers by a star: to both God spoke in their own language, and in the way they were best acquainted with. Some think that the light which the shepherds saw shining round about them, the night after Christ was born, was the very same which to the wise men, who lived at such a distance, appeared as a star; but this we cannot easily admit, because the same star which they had seen in the east they saw a great while after, leading them to the house where Christ lay; it was a candle set up on purpose to guide them to Christ. The idolaters worshipped the stars as the host of heaven, especially the eastern nations, whence the planets have the names of their idol-gods; we read of a particular star they had in veneration, Amos 5:26.
Thus the stars that had been misused came to be put to the right use, to lead men to Christ; the gods of the heathen became his servants. Some think this star put them in mind of Balaam's prophecy, that a star should come out of Jacob, pointing at a sceptre, that shall rise out of Israel; see Num. 24:17.
Takes notice of it; Pluribus persuasio inerat, antiquis sacerdotum literis contineri, eo ipso tempore fore, ut valesceret oriens, profectique Judaea rerum potirentur—A persuasion existed in the minds of many that some ancient writings of the priests contained a prediction that about that time an eastern power would prevail, and that persons proceeding from Judea would obtain dominion. Suetonius also, in the life of Vespasian, speaks of it; so that this extraordinary phenomenon was construed as pointing to that king; and we may suppose a divine impression made upon their minds, enabling them to interpret this star as a signal given by Heaven of the birth of Christ.
IV. How they prosecuted this enquiry. They came from the east to Jerusalem, in further quest of this prince. Wither shall they come to enquire for the king of the Jews, but to Jerusalem, the mother-city, whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord? They might have said, "If such a prince be born, we shall hear of him shortly in our own country, and it will be time enough then to pay our homage to him." But so impatient were they to be better acquainted with him, that they took a long journey on purpose to enquire after him. Note, Those who truly desire to know Christ, and find him, will not regard pains or perils in seeking after him. Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord.
Their question is, Where is he that is born king of the Jews? They do not ask, whether there were such a one born? (they are sure of that, and speak of it with assurance, so strongly was it set home upon their hearts); but, Where is he born? Note, Those who know something of Christ cannot but covet to know more of him. They call Christ the King of the Jews, for so the Messiah was expected to be: and he is Protector and Ruler of all the spiritual Israel, he is born a King.
Simply put, what we find together in Matthew 2 in this Post:
The Magi had enough of a presence to be allowed in to see King Herod. Something about them allowed them to merely knock on the King's door, be allowed in the King's Gate and be listened to with extreme respect and caution.
The Magi had enough wisdom to follow a great star they acknowledged and studied. The Magi possessed inner fortitude to travel to follow the light of the Great Star. Or Comet.
The Magi possessed gifts of wisdom, Spiritual insight. And the Magi had the oratory to explain their inspiration. Presence to allow doors to open.
The Magi had enough simple faith to leave King Herod and complete their self-assigned pilgrimage. Faith was within their determination and their daily plans.
The Magi were close enough to the Lord to be blessed with wisdom from a dream given by God. And in this direction, again understood, following the Lord and His message.
The below Comet was so large
it was at first thought to be a dwarf planet
The Magi were chosen by God. Understanding, God upholds the Universe by the Power of His Word. Light of Heaven. Light of the world. Light of mankind. The Journey of the Magi explains all the aspects of God, the Father, given to Jesus Christ, His Son.
The Shepherds were shown God's Love seeing the Heavenly Host. The Shepherds answered His Call.
The Magi had Jesus Christ reveal Himself to them with Light. The Magi also answered His Call.
Calvin's Commentary on the Bible
And the Gentiles shall walk. He confirms what we have already said, that there is no other light of men but when the Lord shines on them by his word. All indeed acknowledge this; but they do not set so high a value as they ought on this benefit, and imagine it to be something of an ordinary kind, which naturally belongs to all men. But he shows that this grace is supernatural, and therefore it ought to be distinguished from nature; which is clearly shown by the repetition of the words upon thee, in the preceding verse.
First, then, we ought to believe that this benefit comes from God alone; and secondly, that all are not indiscriminately partakers of it, but only the elect, on whom the Lord shines by undeserved favor, so as to take them out of the ordinary rank of men. This is done by Christ, who is called “the Sun of Righteousness,” because we are enlightened as if by his rays. (Malachi 4:2) Besides, the Prophet declares that this favor shall be spread far and wide by the Jews; which is also intimated by the words of the covenant,
In thy seed shall all nations be blessed.” (Genesis 22:18)
To thy brightness. If one nation only had enjoyed the light, it would have been of no advantage to the rest; but, so far as the doctrine of the Gospel has been spread throughout the whole world, Judea has held out the light to the Gentiles formerly blinded, in order to point out the way. By making the brightness peculiar to a single nation, he shows that in no other way could the world be enlightened, or come to share in this benefit, than by seeking light from that word which proceeded from the Jews, and was heard at Jerusalem, where the lamp of the Lord was kindled, and where the Sun of Righteousness arose, that from it he might diffuse his light to all the ends of the earth, as we have formerly seen, “Out of Zion shall go forth the Law.” (Isaiah 2:3) There is, therefore, no light but from the doctrine of the prophets; so that they who withdraw from it falsely boast of walking in the light.
And kings to the brightness of thy rising. He alludes to the dawn; for, as the morningstar begins the day in one quarter only of heaven, and immediately the sun enlightens the whole world, so the daybreak was first in Judea, from which the light arose and was afterwards diffused throughout the whole world; for there is no corner of the earth which the Lord has not enlightened by this light. He mentions “kings,” that they might not imagine that none but the common people would come to this light, but princes and nobles, who in other respects are greatly delighted with their high rank. But now he confers on the Church the very highest honor, that she shines with such brightness as to attract to herself nations and princes. He calls it “the light” of the Church; not that she has any light from herself, but borrows it from Christ, as the moon borrows from the sun.
Let There Be Light
Isaiah 60:3
And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.
Isaiah 60:16
You shall suck the milk of nations; you shall nurse at the breast of kings; and you shall know that I, the Lord, am your Savior and your Redeemer,
the Mighty One of Jacob.
Isaiah 60:10-11
Foreigners shall build up your walls, and their kings shall minister to you; for in my wrath I struck you, but in my favor I have had mercy on you. Your gates shall be open continually; day and night they shall not be shut, that people may bring to you the wealth of the nations, with their kings led in procession.
Isaiah 45:14
Thus says the Lord: “The wealth of Egypt and the merchandise of Cush, and the Sabeans, men of stature, shall come over to you and be yours; they shall follow you; they shall come over in chains and bow down to you. They will plead with you, saying: ‘Surely God is in you, and there is no other, no god besides him.’”
Psalm 34:22
The Lord redeems the life of his servants;
none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned
Revelation 3:9
Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie
—Behold,
I will make them come and bow down before your feet and they will learn that I have loved you.
Isaiah 42:8
I, The Lord, have called You for a righteous purpose,
and I will take hold of your hand.
I will keep you
and appoint You to be a covenant for the people
and a Light to the Nations.
Isaiah 64:4
From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides you, who acts for those who wait for him.
Revelation 21:24-26
By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, and its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there. They will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations.
Joel 2:27
You shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the Lord your God and there is none else.
And my people shall never again be put to shame.
Isaiah 60:3
And Nations shall come to Your Light
and kings to the
Brightness of Your Rising
Isaiah 52:15
So shall he sprinkle many nations; kings shall shut their mouths because of him; for that which has not been told them they see, and that which they have not heard they understand.
Psalm 138:4
All the kings of the earth shall give you thanks, O Lord, for they have heard the Words of Your mouth
Psalm 69:6
Let not those who hope in you be put to shame through me, O Lord God of hosts; let not those who seek you be brought to dishonor through me,
O God of Israel.
Genesis 43:26
When Joseph came home, they brought into the house to him the present that they had with them and bowed down to him to the ground.
Psalm 102:22
when peoples and kingdoms assemble to serve the LORD.
Isaiah 2:3
And many peoples will come and say: "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us His ways so that we may walk in His paths." For the law will go forth from Zion,
and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
Isaiah 11:10
And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse,
which shall stand for an ensign of the people
to it shall the Gentiles seek
And
His Rest shall be Glorious.
The Roads of Heaven
Abba, Father God,
You speak into our Hearts and Mind.
To open the Scriptures is to find, the Word of God is alive.
Father God, Life forever more.
You give rest. Restoration and renewal.
We ask Your Willing blessings upon us,
May our Lord Father God bless us and keep us.
May our Lord Father God, make Your Face to shine upon us.
And be gracious to us.
Father God please lift Your countenance upon us, smile and give us Your peace.
We ask you to put the Name of Jesus Christ upon us, and we are Blessed of God.
Jesus Christ, pray for us, Speak Your Word, bring more Heaven to earth.
We ask Your Abundant and Flowing Blessings upon us. Keep us safe from disasters, quieten storms and keep the Oceans safe.
Help us to seek You first and Your Kingdom.
To Live Love, Joy and Peace. Uphold those we Love. We Trust You.
We ask for the virus to end and Joy in Recovery.
We pray for Your Word to be Spoken. Your help.
God Himself Bless, Sustain, Comfort, Guide
Jesus Christ Live in us.
Help us to seek You first.
Amen!
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