Day 22 – His Star

“I see Him, but not now; I look at Him, but not near; a Star shall appear from Jacob, a Scepter shall rise from Israel…”

– NUMBERS 24:17 NASB –

When we gaze into the night sky and behold such wondrous heavenly bodies too vast to number, we cannot help but stand in awe. Endowed with a divine delegated glory, these light-bearers were fashioned by God to separate light from darkness and serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years (Genesis 1:14-15).

But God created only one Star with an incredible Messianic purpose.

Our prophecy today was given 1400 years before the first Christmas at a time when the Israelites had not yet even entered the Promised Land.  It reveals to us a Star of eternal significance unlike any other star that would arise from the tribe of Jacob and possess the King’s Scepter.

Because they studied the stars, the ancient Magi knew the night sky.  And when this unique star appeared – “His Star” as they called it (Matthew 2:2), they set out on an epic journey to “come to worship Him.”

How did they know such specifics?  Did God speak to them in a dream telling them to watch for His star and then pursue it?  Did Daniel, who was put in authority over the Babylonian “wise men” by Nebuchadnezzar over 500 years earlier teach them about the prophesied Messiah and was that teaching passed down through generations of Magi (Daniel 2:48)?  Scripture is silent.

Regardless, these wise men, who traveled a great distance over many months, arrived in Jerusalem seeking “the King of the Jews” (Matthew 2:1-2).  Apparently, His Star had led them all this way, but now had disappeared or was obscured by clouds. But surely, others had seen it? Surely, the ruler in the capital city of the Jews would know?

King Herod (who wasn’t really a king), asked the biblical scholars of his day where Messiah was to be born.  And without even opening a scroll, the scribes and the chief priests said, “In Bethlehem of Judea” (Matthew 2:5) and then quoted yesterday’s prophecy from Micah 5:2 right here in Matthew 2:6!

“When they (the wise men) had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, until it came and stood over where the young child was (clearly, this was no ordinary star)! When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy” (Matthew 2:9-10 KJV) and went to Bethlehem to worship Jesus as King.

You know, Bethlehem is only 6 miles southwest of Jerusalem – just a little over an hour’s walk – yet Scripture tells us that only the wise men made the trip.  It looks like all the learned Bible scholars stayed in Jerusalem along with Herod and everyone else because they were all “greatly disturbed” by this news (Matthew 2:3).

Head knowledge alone will keep you in Jerusalem, but a heart of faith leads you all the way to Bethlehem.

And so, by His grace, wise men and women can still look up with a heart of faith to see the Everlasting Light of His Star, rejoice with exceeding great joy, and come to Bethlehem to worship the King!

O COME LET US ADORE HIM!