the wise men

When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Matthew 2:10‭-‬11 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.2.10-11.NLT

Why did God choose to reveal Himself to these men? Were they astronomers or astrologers? There is a difference. One, like me, studies the stars because they fascinate them, the other imputes spiritual attributes to them, which they do not have. Because these men believes that the new star bore a significance we could believe they were astrologers, believing stars had a spiritual significance. In this instance they were right.

Imagine, for a moment, what the lives of these men were like. They had wealth as they brought expensive gifts. What did their worlds look like? Did they have families? Did they live in cities or the rural countryside? Did they conduct businesses? These men arrive and then disappeared just as they came. However, they would forever be changed men. Why do we never hear of them again? Did they die? Were they not inquisitive as to what was happening to this new king?

God called Abraham from Iraq into the area of Israel. He chose a random man, it seems, but he was not random. God knew his heart was directed towards Him.

Today God calls all manner of people. Just as He called the shepherds,  He also called the men from the east. We will always be surprised, He is not. What manner of God is this? In calling these men He shows that even non-Jews would be welcomed into the kingdom of God. These first gentiles represent all us outside of Israel.

Thank You Lord! Amen!


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