The Wise Men

12.25.2009 (Reprise of: 12.16.2005)

The Wise Men

HHMSS
Sword
Part Two of Three

"The Wise Men"





Matthew 2:10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

In the last article I focused on the star – its appearance made quiet a stir, everywhere. While I did focus on the star, I left a few things of importance out regarding the wise men – why? The star of course, is the most important element of the whole story – it takes understanding of its appearance and its meaning to truly understand and absorb the next portion of my article.


To recap the last article:
The star of course appeared in the east and led the wise men from the east to the west – where Jesus was born. Remember – it "…went before them…" – and in a manner of speaking – lead them along their path.

King Herod – Roman-appointed governor of Judah – wasn’t in Jerusalem – he was the king of Babylon – and was located in Babylon. Herod was one paranoid bastard. Even his Roman friend Augustus had to admit, "I'd rather be Herod's pig than his son" – alluding to the fact that he killed many for treason (to include his wives and sons) out of his paranoia that someone would usurp his power.

I have no references that I can site that state that Herod was in Babylon. I just know he was there. Now, Herod knew - through his own advisors, priests, and astronomers – that the star would be seen rising in the east and this star would foretell of the coming king. Why not set up shop in Babylon and get the jump on the star? – thus he could send out men to search for the child and have him slain. He wasn’t the only one to have this plan.

Let get down to it.

Again – all references come from the King James Version (KJV) of the Holy Bible – and specifically the book of Matthew, Chapter 2

The book of Matthew 2

2:1Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

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.

From the east they came, and they came upon the King, Herod, in Babylon. They asked him, Herod – where is the king? This is quite amusing. Herod is supposed to be the King, and the wise men – from the east (Persia) are asking him – where’s the real deal? – 'cuz you ain’t it buddy!

Concentrating entirely on the KJV only, there is no reference to their ethnicity, or numbers. History points to the fact that they came from Persia – which is east of Babylon. Persia is Iran - Babylon is Iraq. The western tradition is that there where three wise men (probably because of their gifts – numbering three different types) – Eastern tradition sites twelve as the number of wise men. In this matter I would say in the beginning of their quest – twelve is correct – the tradition is in the east, and they came from the east.

Also on this matter – being wise men – they knew better than to send large numbers. Think about it. Large numbers of astrologer priests would either "scare off" any contact they might have with the very protected messiah – or result in them being killed and never heard of again. Best to lay low and send a few emissaries.

The King Herod isn’t going to smite the wise men for asking such a blatantly insulting question (and start a war with Persia to the east when he has enough trouble keeping the west under control) – instead he is shrewd enough to play along because they know something that he doesn’t. Thus we have Mat 2:3

2:3When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

You bet he's troubled!

Wise men from the east have been waiting for this event – and being wise – and knowing that the stars procession has been earlier and earlier, have set watch. When they see the faintness of it in the distance of the heavens – they send out a lead team – who then comes to Herod the King in Babylon.

Jerusalem is troubled as well – the star' arrival is early, really early. Word would have spread quickly through the land. So Herod – trying to save face and eager to get on with his plan of killing the "new" king before he has a chance to grow up:

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.

2:5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,
2:6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, art not the least among the princes of Judah: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

King Herod gathers everyone together, making a big show of it. He demands from the wise men of the east, where is the child to be born? Basically asking in his court – what do you know? They, the wise men, say to him that the child is to be born "In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written "by the prophet". Well who in the hell is "the prophet"?

Well, if the wise men where coming from the east – thus, Persia – would they not be, Zoroastrian? Zarathustrianism (also known as Mazdayasna "Worship of Wisdom" ) held many of the same beliefs: of heaven and hell, free will, AND the belief of a coming savior. The Prophet Zoroaster is perhaps the "prophet" that the wise men from the East are referring to?

In any event – men from the east – come to say that "we have the same information that you have" – the child is in Judea, specifically Bethlehem. So, hearing this, and knowing he’s getting no where fast, King Herod asks a more specific question:

2:7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.

Okay, he wants to get to the meat of the matter. He asks the wise men who have arrived from the east, when did you first see it? This is to help him, through his own wise men (looking silly right about now) – to figure out when the child was born. This data is needed to figure out just how old he might be, for Herod – that dastardly villain – has a plan "B". He’s paranoid – not stupid. So, he starts the wheels turning; he’s held on to these men of title long enough and he’s not getting any new information out of them. Thusly...

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.

I can see the wise men rolling their eyes now!

Herod was knowingly evil, and the wise men would have known all about him as well.

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.

So the faint star that the wise men first spotted in the east is rising on the horizon – and their head start is paying off. There going ot be in the right spot at the right time for the big event. They of course follow the star as it goes before them to Bethlehem. Lets keep in mind that they followed the star from east to west – it had to pass over head at some point – right? :-) :-x

Now, almost out of place, as if the original writer of the Gospel had to add in something very important to the story of the wise men – the astronomers, so Matthew tell us …

2:10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

This verse above is by far the most confusing placement of a verse I have ever heard of. Maybe not…We KNOW that the wise men have SEEN the star.

So what makes this verse, off on its own in the bible (not attached to any other paragraph) so special? What is the writer trying to convey? Well let’s think about it… You’re an astronomer from a very elite caste of "wise" and very "learned" men. Your so damn smart and knowledgeable, that you are given a "Title" – such as a baron might. Now, you have been studying stars, and learning of all the wonders of the cosmos – and what’s this? The star of crossing from ancient lore... The star of prophecy, that is a timed event that happens once every two hundred and fifty generations.

Thousands of years ago, your peers wrote about it – and you have languished over every word. It’s the super-bowl of astronomy – and you just so happen to live in the time that it will be seen. As an added bonus – the half-time show includes the birth of a great leader – a king – a messiah that’s got ALL the prophets talking.

So, as you, a royal astronomer, bears witness to the star of crossing traversing the very heavens in seven days time, what are you going to do? YAWN? Hell NO!!!

You're going to rejoice with exceedingly great joy! Your witnessing something that many thousands of years before you many scholars, scribes, priests and other astronomers have written about – and that many thousands of years from now WILL write about – and you're seeing it happen before your very eyes. Imagine if you will, living your whole life reading about an event that happens only every 2.5 thousand years (and counting down) and being alive to watch a PLANET of elliptical orbit – literally FLY across the night sky in incredible celestial speed – progressing the entire night sky in seven days!!! At the end, the after party ends with the star slowing fading from sight over the house which is the end of their journey – the house of the new king, the messiah.

Matthew 2:10 – while seemingly misplaced – spells out the fact that as astronomers – the wise men - they had one hell of a "whoop – whoop" dar roof, dar roof, dar roof is on fire – PARTY.

2:11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshiped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.

So, their journey is over (sort of) – their destination found. Their reason for traveling now rests before them. The child, which many religions have ordained to be the king of them all lies before them. They have witnessed the star of crossing, and now they are in the presence of a living god. They fall to Jesus' feet and worship him, and present him with the gifts: gold, for his king-ship (college fund); frankincense, a incense used for temple worship (diapers are bad smelling); and of course myrrh, a balm used for embalming as a symbolic gift/gesture of his coming death (if you wipe it under you nose it smells better than the diapers)… …

2:12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

The above verse concludes the story of the wise men.

Knowing of King Herod's plans (I mean, he’s so obvious) and having no allegiance to Herod – they depart to there own country going the long way around.

In the end – they go with god – and stick it to the man...Truly,wise men.

As a side note – before I wrap this up and move on to trying to end it all with a bang (no pun intended) – I want to submit that the image starting the article out is a 6th-century mosaic in San Apollinare Nuovo, "Ravenna"… All three wise men seen in it are wearing Phrygian caps. Phrygian caps can also be found on The U.S. Senate seal – check it out:

http://www.senate.gov/ - and also The U.S. Army seal http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:USArmySeal.png

(You can file that in the "Things that make you go – hmmmmmm)

Thanks for reading – stay tuned for part three – "The Savior – He cometh"

Your civil servant:
Sword