The Meaning of the Magi...Matthew nativity pt 4

Now 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, 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. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, 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… 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. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh. ( Matthew 2:1-11)

Wise men from the East came seeking Jesus, calling him “King of the Jews”. Who were they and how did they know to come and seek him?

The Eastern frontier of the Roman Empire was the Euphrates river. The Parthians (Medo/Persians) were a particular threat to the Romans, never having succumbed to the Roman expansion and handily resisting them upon every incursion from the west.

The Magi came from Persia, their ‘school of the Magi’ was believed to have dated all the way back to the days of Daniel the prophet, from his time in the schools of Babylon, and then Persia.

The Magi were careful observers of astronomy, as well as being completely conversant with the Hebrew prophets (especially Daniel). Why are they considered Kings? Because they were of an ancient Persian Priestly caste, of teachers, philosophers, and educators of Kings. No King could be crowned in Persia without having mastered the teachings of the Magi, and without the approval of the same.

When the Magi came west, to seek Jesus, (There were far more than three of them), Herod and all of Jerusalem were troubled. Quite a large contingent of them crossed the frontier into the Eastern most district of the Roman Empire, the defense of which, Herod would have been responsible. The Magi would have come with a military escort, and a caravan of supplies. Some ancient historians speculate that they would have been accompanied by up to a thousand mounted cavalrymen.

What did they seek? the King of the Jews. They had seen a star, as a portent of the birth of a powerful King. They were also familiar with the prophecies of Balaam, the pagan Seer, whom God put prophecy into his mouth, back in the days of the Exodus,

I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth. (Numbers 24:17)

Was this the Star out of Jacob, which would crush heathendom in its unity against the only true God? The Medo/Persian Magi were so sure of it, they openly told Herod, that they had come to worship Him, (Christ).

Herod immediately called a counsel of his advisors; Chief Priests, scribes, experts in the Torah, in order to demand of them the birth place of the Messiah. Already the baby jesus was causing the Kings of the earth and their rulers to seek counsel against the LORD and his Messiah.

Without hesitation, a Priest, or scribe rattled off the prophecy of Micah, that Messiah would be born in Bethlehem of Judea, the place of King David and his family.

But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting… And he shall stand and feed in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God; and they shall abide: for now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth.( Micah 5:2,4)

Other than mindlessly rattling off the scripture which they were familiar with on the one hand, and blind and deadened to on the other, there seemed to be very little interest in walking the short journey from Jerusalem to Bethlehem to see of there was anything to what the Medo Persian contingent had traveled 500 miles to inquire of.

The Magi would follow the star until they found the child within two years after the interview by Herod. By that time Jesus no longer an infant ,but was a Paidon, ( a young child just walking). The Star led them to the very house where Jesus was living, and with his mother.

Their gifts of Gold,Frankincense and Myrrh, all point to his Kingly dignity, His Deity, (Gold) and the fact that he is a Priest (Frankincense) . Myrrh points to his substitutionary death for our salvation.

These gifts are also a foretaste of a Prophecy for the restoration of Israel and the Jewish people by Isaiah, in which the Gentiles will come streaming in to present the wealth of the nations to God’s chosen people,

Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. Lift up thine eyes round about, and see: all they gather themselves together, they come to thee: thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be nursed at thy side. Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee. The multitude of camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all they from Sheba shall come: they shall bring gold and incense; and they shall shew forth the praises of the Lord. All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered together unto thee, the rams of Nebaioth shall minister unto thee: they shall come up with acceptance on mine altar, and I will glorify the house of my glory.( Isaiah 60:1-7)

In the days to come, Israel’s sorrow will be turned to joy and her fortunes will be restored, in the days of the Messiah, and instead of being “forsaken and hated” the Gentiles will pour in, bringing their gifts.

Priests of God, scribes and Jewish elders didn’t bother to seek him, although they knew the scripture, but these Medo/Persian King trainers, knew a King when they saw him (by the Holy Spirit) so they bowed down to worship and adore him.

Another factor which made the Magi sensitive enough to know the time had come for the King of the Jews to be born, was their familiarity with the Prophet Daniel.

Five hundred and forty some years previously, the prophet Daniel was praying about the future of his people, from captivity in Babylon, and in Persia. An amazing time sensitive prophecy was revealed to Him, personally delivered to him by the Angel Gabriel.

Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. (Daniel 9:25-27)

The future of Daniel’s people, (Israel) would be decided in a manner of 70 weeks of years,(490 years). Within that time the entire program of God for them will be concluded; finish transgression,end of sins,reconciliation for iniquity, to bring in everlasting rightiousness, seal up the vision, and all prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.

Picture a stopwatch. It starts “from the going of the command the restore and build Jerusalem”… This decree of Artaxerxes, occurred in 444BC and is recounted in Nehemiah 2.

We are told, that in 69 weeks, (483 years(, Messiah the Prince would come and die, but not for himself but for the people”. This would bring us to the year 33 AD. (At this point the Divine stopwatch stopped. ;eaving 7 more years for God to complete his program for Israel).

These Magi had studied Daniel’s prophecies copiously for centuries. Thus they would have known that the time was near for the Messiah to present himself, and they knew to be aware and to understand the star and it’s meaning.

The meaning of the Magi is clear, that those who seek the Messiah, and his salvation and who fear God and tremble at his word, will find the Christ, and be able to bow down and Worship Him. Those who have no heart for God, even if they are familiar with scripture, will not seek Him, and will not find Him.

Picture a stopwatch. It starts “from the going of the command the restore and build Jerusalem”… This decree of Artaxerxes, occurred in 444BC and is recouted in Nehemiah 2.

The 'end times' is about people not knowing how to tell time. Even big hands and little hands confuse many, a veritable "confusion of face."

Daniel 9:23 At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth...
Daniel 9:25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment...

Nehemiah 1:1 The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah. And it came to pass in the month Chisleu...
Nehemiah 1:6 Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night,

God said that He'd destroy the wisdom of the wise. Scholars debate and decide when events occurred in ancient times, then followers follow the theories while the God of the living operates in real time.

These Magi had studied Daniel’s prophecies copiously for centuries. Thus they would have known that the time was near for the Messiah to present himself, and they knew to be aware and to understand the star and it’s meaning.

The letter chet has a value of 8 and represents chai, life. It's also the number associated with the Messiah in that 8 transcends the physical world of 7.

asterisk: "little star"

a house in Hebrew is a beit [בית], same as the letter bet [בית], same as a "byte" [בית], which is comprised of 8 bits, because binary... base 2. A 2 is the letter bet, located on the Hebrew keyboard on the "C", but who's looking there.

Matthew 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. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 11 And when they were come into the house...

Everyone knows the Christmas story, when all the relatives and whoever else descend upon the family home for Christmas. Christmas Vacation is a classic.

The Singing Cowboy sang "Here Comes Santa Claus" when "the Law" descended. He *owned* the Angels.

Aunt Bethany made perfect sense when she exclaimed, "Play Ball!"

Those who have no heart for God, even if they are familiar with scripture, will not seek Him, and will not find Him.

Bethlehem: "house of [ginger] bread"

You can’t light the tree till Chirstmas eve mother would exclaim
Jesus wasn’t borne till holy Christmas day
So it was the tree remained till three kings were well upon their way
On the feast of Holy Family,was it was taken down,
only then was it hauled away
The tree was there for all to see
So it was as we strung the popcornChristmas day
So it was the tree remained till three kings were well upon their way
On the feast of Holy Family,was it was taken down,
only then was it hauled away
The tree was there for all to see
So it was as we strung the popcorn and cranberries on on threaded line
first the lights of course and cranberries on on threaded line
first the lights of course changing bulbs to see if they were seen
Then leaded icicles that dad would toss with glee
The tree sat in the window till Holy Family day
Those who were missed were seen throughout the days
and especially on Three Kings (Jan 6th) day those who missed their gifts
The paperboy,the mailman,not forgotten on that day

On This “Little Christmas”
January 6th

Once Upon a Time and not too long ago
The Twelfth Night Of Christmas
was celebrated with a ball
From the Day of Babes Birth
and the 11 thereafter
kith and kin were paid a visit
and friends from far and near
once were paid a call
So on this day I pray in the spirit that this date recalls
Let the gift of homage of kings gain
in the spirit of the days this season yet remain
ere it wane
Be thine Blessings Great
and misfortunes thee none befall

from my poetry page
http://www.theusmat.com/natdesk.htm

Picture a stopwatch. It starts “from the going of the command the restore and build Jerusalem”… This decree of Artaxerxes, occurred in 444BC and is recounted in Nehemiah 2.
We are told, that in 69 weeks, (483 years(, Messiah the Prince would come and die, but not for himself but for the people”. This would bring us to the year 33 AD. (At this point the Divine stopwatch stopped. ;eaving 7 more years for God to complete his program for Israel).

The understanding of this set of prophecies is a critical testimony to the precise accuracy of God's Word and to the truth of His promise of a redeeming savior.

The seventy weeks prophecy is actually of seventy sevens of years from the going forth of the Commandment to restore Jerusalem. The arithmetic of the first sixty-nine weeks is clearly set out in Daniel 9:25 and 9:26: At the end of week sixty-nine, "shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself . . . . "

The sacrifice of Jesus on the cross is a clear fulfillment of that description.

So the problem with this description is that 69 weeks of years is 483 years (69 x 7 = 483), not 476 years (444 years plus 33 years minus one because there was no year 0).

Given the recounting of several prophecies in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah, scholars have had difficulty identifying either the precise decree from which the 69 weeks runs or the dating on which it is based.

My own interpretation ends the 69 weeks on April 5, 30 AD, not 33 AD, only in part based on what I believe is the correct dating of the decree referenced however the balance of that analysis is beyond the scope of this comment. [It should be noted that the Passover would have occurred on Friday twice during the period in Pilate was Procurator in Jerusalem--once in 30 AD and once in 33 AD.]

Since I also think this article correctly identifies the actual decree that is involved, it is important to understand the factors that apply to the actual calculation.

Artazerxes‘ decree is described precisely in Ezra Chapter 7 where we are told that the decree was rendered in the seventh year of Artazerxes (Ezra 7:8)..

So Ezra 7:8 is to be contrasted with Nehemiah 2 where we are told in 2:1 that Nehemiah’s participation commenced in the first month [Nisan] of the twentieth year of Artazerxes. The 13 year difference is resolved by the authors with the assumption that Nehemiah departed Jerusalem 13 years after the decree had been rendered in year 7. Although that interpretation might be correct, it is inconsistent with Ezra’s description in Ezra 7:8 of his companions on the trip to Jerusalem.

However that still leaves some difficulty because adding 13 years to the 476 years above is 489 years, not 483 years.

To understand the difference we need to appreciate the fact that there are alternative methods for the calculation of the dating of the 7th years of Artazerxes.

The Israelites calculated the reigns of the political head of state from the first day of the first year following the year in which the king took office. On the other hand, the Babylonians calculated the year of the king from the year in which the individual became entitled to be treated as the head of state.

Artazerxes Longimanus succeeded his father, Xerxes, as King. The reign of Xerxes ended in 464 BC when Xerxes was murdered by Artabanus, a Hyrcanian usurper, who reigned as king until he was slain by Artazerxes. Thus the Persian records on which many of the bible scholars have relied reflects a reign of Artazerxes from some point in 464 BC, making year seven the year 457 or 456–too late to fit the 483 year calculation.

On the other hand, the calculation employed by the Israelite priestly class for purposes of Daniel’s description would have commenced in April following the termination by Artazerxes of Artabanus at some point between 464 BC and 456 BC. That date is not certain on the historical record.

PBR: The Magi came from Persia, their ‘school of the Magi’ was believed to have dated all the way back to the days of Daniel the prophet, from his time in the schools of Babylon, and then Persia. (from the article)

scrabbleback: Is it known that the Magi came from Persia? (Post #5)

Paisan: In my KJV, east is capitalized, , , , (Post #7)

========

I think not, in all of these comments.

Daniel and his three friends were of the royal line, deported to Babylon in what is now Iraq. They were emasculated, made eunuchs, and because of their lineage were employed as administrators of the prevailing ruler. They themselves rgerefore had no descendants, and thus could not be a threat to any other royalty lineage. There was no indication that Daniel ever left the region of Babylon, but remained there and served as a chief administrator of the kings ruling from that site.

Because the Temple was destroyed, the education of Jewish boys in religion and government was no longer conducted in Jerusalem. In its place, wherever the dispersed Jews congregated, synagogues and their yeshivas were established for that purpose, and came under the conduct of the Levitical Boblical teachers, all throughout the lands, and have continued to this day as the method.

Daniel, being a devout Jew, would have nothing to do with cooperating with the phony magicians, soothsayers, and "wise men." PBR's attribution to the Magoi of being influenced by Daniel is not only an assumption, but a bad one at that. In fact, the Bible says nothing about the Magoi coming from Persia, or even from the direction east of Jerusalem/Bethlehem. Neither the Bible nor history annals say nowhere that they even existed.

As far as "east" in Matthew 2:1 and 2 is concerned, in no KJV that I have ever read or owned is the word capitalized. If one has a Bible in which it is capitalized, then it is not a KJV at all (maybe a NKJV or "New Scofield Edition"?). All copies of the KJV are consistent and uniform, right down to the punctuation and italicization (except for a couple of known matters not relevant here).

But actually, "east" in these verses ought to be capitalized, for the words in the Greek refer to a place name, not a direction as one would gather from the (wrongly) ambiguously interpreted English.

Here is the difference: in the Greek, the word is ἀνατολή (pronounced an-at-ol-ay'), which in the geopolitical sense is the place name "Anatolia", which refers to the eastern plains of the isthmus of Middle Asian Turkey. That region dates from the time that Greece and Persia fought over that territory, It was called "East" by the Greeks of that day because it was to the east of their homeland, just as a Yankee would call Dixieland "the South." (But today, a Los Angeles native would say that Mobile is in the South, even though Alabama is directly to the east by compass from California.)

What I am saying here is that when the Magoi told Herod, "We in Anatolia have seen His Star," everyone would have known that they came from the lands far to the north of Jerusalem, from the very same direction from which Abraham came down to Canaan, two thousand years before. They did not come from Babylon, or Persia, or India, or China.

OK, if y'all have got this, let me know. Then I will go on and tell you who I presume who the Magoi were descendants of, exactly where they came from, and what star they were referring to.

imardmd1: . . . who the Magoi were descendants of, exactly where they came from, and what star they were referring to. (Post #14)

To continue:

At one time, all the humans except a very few (eight persond to be exact) had sinned as Adam and Eve, failed to repent (like Cain), and were either ignoring The Creator had begun to worship other gods of their own creation. Therefore God, being disappointed and disobeyed, saw that He could not win them back, and washed the world clean of them, exccept for Noah, his sons, and all their wives.

Coming down off snowy Moount Ararat, they and all the animals sought awarmer arable, farmable land in which to settle and expand. I believe that thet began to repopulate the earth, starting from the region near Lake Van, namely from thst area later to be called Anatolia.

But as they spread, and beginning to depend on some of the animals for sustenance and/or as laboring beasts. And also, they began to re-institute astronomy to know when to plant and when to harvest. I believe that as generations were born, faithfulness to the Creator again began to wane, and be supplanted with the worship of those holding the keys to the positions of heavenly bodies as well as to the exotic animals.

We know now, from archaeology, that in that area a site grew up that existed solely for religious worship, a place that was highly developed in structures, a place now called Gobekli Tepe (in Turcic meaning "Pot-belly Hill") only a few miles northwest of Abraham's birthplace, which was "Ur of the Chaldean mountains," now called Sanliurfa. Here is a picture of Gobekli Tepe, the center of worship:

Worship Center at Gobekli Tepe E

In the other direction, about twenty-five miles to the southwest of Sanliurfa, lies Haran, which the archaeologist have also discovered. That is where Terah and his son Abraham, his grandson Lot settled, not going any further toward Canaan until after Terah died, whence Abraham set off under Gd's guidance, taking lot with him, and leaving Nahor behind in Ur of the Chaldees, the north Syrian land called Padan or Padan-aram (Gen.25:29). This area is also located in what was, in Jesus' time, called Anatolia.

I am going to suppose, without straining the truth, that the people of Padanaram were heavily involved in wotshiping false gods, consistent with being near the huge worship center near them, that Terah's predecessors were involved in it, and that is why God directed Abraham to move far away from his family there, to separate him from that culture and start a new one.

But I also believe that this worship center was also the place where the wisdom of prognosticators of times to plant and harvest inherently claimed the attention of humans over a very broad area, and that this cult controlling the intellectual property of the Aramaic culture persisted from long before Abraham's time right down to that of Jesus.

So that is who the Magoi were, and where they came from. When y'all have digested that, I will go on to my suppositions regarding the star sign of the Messiah of the Jews,

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