This is the second in a 4-part series leading up to the celebration of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth
Matthew's account of the surprising visitation of the Magi 'from the east' seeking the one born 'King of the Jews'. What an unlikely audience to see a sign and travel to meet this King of the Jews!
Who were these Magi? Much has been written in history speculating on these visitors, including names, where they were from and what they were about.
I won't do much to add to the historical pontification about the Magi. Suffice it to say, the Magi spent their nights observing the heavens for signs. I have heard them mistakenly called astronomers—they were not astroNOMERS, they were astroLOGERS.
They read the horoscope in the skies and then searched the writings they had—likely a deep library of the world's prophets from all cultures they could access. What did they find?
"'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel." (Matthew 2:6; Micah 5:2,4)
From a little-known prophet named Micah.
Reading the rest of that now famous 5th Chapter of Micah yields some evidence of why these Magi may have traveled quite a distance. That prophecy Micah foretold was powerful and, if it came to pass, it would reshape the Middle East politically.
The Magi were overjoyed, and their stargazing led them to this child. And, rightly, they worshipped this shepherd-ruler. We know these Magi wisely avoided Herod and were led home via a different route revealed to them in a dream.
So, when God revealed Jesus's birth he revealed it to shepherds and astrologers.
Not exactly the heralding you would expect for the Savior of the World.