Very Wise Men Who Studied Stars

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Chapter 4
Very Wise Men Who Studied Stars

Many, many miles away from the temple in which Simon saw the baby, the Lord Jesus Christ, east of Judea, lived learned men who studied the stars in the sky. One night these wise men discovered a very bright and strangely different star shining high up in the sky. This star was a Heavenly sign to the wise men of the birth of an important new King.

Following the discovery of this unusual star, they set out on a long journey in search of discovering and worshiping this Heavenly announced king.

When the magi (learned men who studied stars) reached Jerusalem, they asked everyone they encountered, "Where is the newly born King of the Jews? We have observed His star in the East and have come to worship Him."

But no one could answer the question of where this newly born King was because no one had heard of the birth of a King in Judea. But alas, the news of the magi's arrival reached Herod the reigning King of Judea. King Herod was old, wicked, and fearful of losing his kingdom. He immediately made up his mind to kill this new born King. He sent for his chief priests and scribes who like the people of Judea knew nothing whatsoever of a new born king. After studying the books of the prophets they concluded "He is to be born in Bethlehem of Judea."

King Herod hurriedly sent the wise magi to Bethlehem to search for the baby Who was to be king. He tried to trick the magi so they would send word to him when the baby King was discovered and said, "And when you have found Him, let me know so that I also may come to worship Him." King Herod did not want to worship the baby but to murder Him.

The magi journeyed to Bethlehem, and while on the way saw the brightly shining star once again, this time on the road before them. They were amazed and followed the star's direction until they reached the Christ Child. When they reached the Christ Child they presented to Him many gifts of gold and precious fragrances, frankincense and myrrh which were also used for sacrifices.

Before leaving the Christ Child, God sent a special dream to the magi in which He instructed them not to go back to King Herod and report their findings, but to return to their homeland by another route. The magi obeyed the Lord and did not go back to the city.

Questions:

1. Who were the magi?
2. Where was the Lord Jesus Christ born?
3. What did King Herod want to do to the Lord Jesus Christ?
4. Did the magi obey God?

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