Follow the star
Vanetten.Edward (vanetten.edward@corona.navy.mil)
Wed, 18 Dec 1996 10:32:58 -0800
Tradition seems to have the Wise Men traveling from
their homeland to Bethlehem by following the star.
As I read Matt. 2 they went from their homeland
straight to Jerusalem, because they did not know
where Jesus was born. (KJV verse 2 "Where is
he that is born King of the Jews?") So at this
point the star was not leading them as traditionally
thought. In verses 5 & 6 they find out from a
prophecy the Jews had, but the Wise Men
did not, that Jesus was to be born in Bethlehem.
["The Bread of Life" was to be born in the "House
of Bread"] It was AFTER getting this information
that the star seemed to REAPPEAR to guide them directly
to the location of Jesus. Verse 10 states they
"rejoiced with exceeding great joy" at seeing
the star AGAIN. If the star was continually
guiding them from their homeland, there would be no
reason for them to detour via Herod. And if
the Wise Men had not seen Herod then the slaughter
of the children would not have taken place.
Obviously the reappearance of the star was not
a coincidence, not a normal act of nature. God seems
to have been taking an active part in the entire
event, including telling the Wise Men not to return
to Herod. I think the Wise men looked to Jesus
not only as the "King of the Jews", but as the
"Messiah of the Jews" as evidenced by their
worshipping him. The lowly shepherds
worshipped Jesus and now Matthew reports that the
rich and powerful worship him also, showing that
Jesus is Savior for all mankind regardless of one's
status in life. Oops ... off the soap box, back
to my question ....
Are there alternate Greek translations
that support the traditional view of the star
CONSTANTLY guiding them? And if there are why
did the Wise Men go to Herod?
Ed Van Etten
Ontario, California
vanetten.edward@corona.navy.mil