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THE K I N G ' S B US I NE S S ' Magi), one wicked king and one Won derful King. The wise kings came from the East, from a far country, per haps from Chaldee or Arabia. Tradi tion says they were from Europe, Asia and Africa. They1were probably as tronomers and astrologers;—star-gazers. But they were also seers. Gazing into the heavens brought them a vision which well repaid them for gazing. Great events were supposed to be fore cast by' some heavenly phenomenon, and this was certainly true of that great event— the birth of Christ. There was not only a star for the men of the East, but there were the ope‘n heavens and the angelic visitors for the shepherds of Bethlehem. The star was a symbol of the scep ter,— a symbol of power, in fulfillment of the prophecy concerning Him. (Num. 24:17). He is called the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star (Rev. 22:16). The star also suggests the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The star was a voice to lead to Jesus, and this is the office work of the Spirit. All heavenly guidance is In accord with Scripture, and leads into all truth. If we follow where He leads, we will have the fullness of light. (Acts 10:1-5, 30-32). Failure to walk in the light will result in gross darkness. (Matt. 25:29). The wise men were moved by a di vine impulse and followed the heaven ly light. Strange that not one of the " school of the Pharisees,— not one of Herod’s household, should have seen the star and announced the coming of the King! The wise men came saying, "Where is He that is bdm King?’’ Herod was made king, but Jesus was born a King.” They spoke with assurance. (2) THE HATRED FOR THE KING, vs. 3-8. Herod, the king, was troubled. The wise men were not wise in coming to
Jerusalem. There they found earthly greatness, but not the heavenly knowl edge. Herod was the head of the He- rodian dynasty, the first and worst of that family. He was an Edomite, with an Ishmaelitish mother; a cold, calcu lating, selfish and wicked ruler. His crown was the gift of the Roman em peror and he felt it was none too se cure. It was not strange that he should have felt uneasy at the mention of “The King of the Jews.” - He had risen through the fall of the Maccabean prince, and now comes an heir from the house of David! “ Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown,” He was a king, yet a slave to Satan. Good reason had he; to be troubled at the news of another king. He called a council of the doctors of the law,:—-the ecclesiastical council of the Jews, (a body composed of seventy-one mem bers, including the chief priest), to find out where the king was to be born. Herod had built the temple, but did not attend the services, or he would not have been so ignorant, nor, pos sibly, so troubled. Any Jewish child should have been able to tell him where the King was to be born. What a com ment is this on earthly greatness! We are not to expect from the great ones of the earth much knowledge of the Greatest One whom to know is life eternal. The answer of the doctors to the king’s question was “ in Bethelehem," the town of Boaz and Ruth, Jesse and David (Ruth 1:1; 4:17). “ Bethlehem” means “House of Bread.” From thence, came the Bread of Life (John 6:47). David’s well was there (1 Chron. 11:17-18)* and from thence the Water of Life flowed (John 7:37). The people were filled with concern at this fulfillment of prophecy. (Mai. 3:2)- The council could give the facts of Scripture, could lay their hands on the very words, but their hearts were
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