Dec 22, 2012

The Star That Led the Wise Men

In Matthew chapter 2 we read the story of the star that appeared and led the magi/wise men to Israel, looking for the Messiah. This star appears again later in the passage leading the wise men until the star comes and settles directly over the young Son of God.
  Mat 2:2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
Mat 2:3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
Mat 2:4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
Mat 2:5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,
Mat 2:6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
Mat 2:7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
Mat 2:8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
Mat 2:9
When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
Mat 2:10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.



Now it may be said that every imaginable astronomical object has been proposed for this star. Supernovas, exploding planets, comets, etc. All of the scientifically based articles miss the point. The point is that this star appeared in the sky, like other stars, but then moved and went before the wise men, until it had led them directly to the young Messiah.

Taken directly from Matthew 2:9 we read, "when they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was." This appeared, guided, disappeared, re-appeared, and then went before guiding the wise men to the exact spot of Messiah. This star was an angel. Angels are called stars in other passages in scripture.   Rev. 9:1 clearly describes an angel who will fall to the earth holding the keys to the "abyss", the bottomless pit. 

In the Old Testament, the word used for star is "kokab", and describes something rolling, as in a blazing fire. Ps. 104:4 states, Who (being God) maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire." 

So the star that led the wise men was an angel.  That begs the larger question.  Are stars angels?  I hope to write that idea out in the next few days.  Many blessings.