Monthly Archives: December 2024

The Bible Speaks today – What do the Stars Foretell?

Astronomers and those who study the stars will tell you that stars are constantly moving. Because the earth rotates from West to East, all stars appear to be moving from East to West in contrast. This is similar to how trees appear to move backward when you are traveling in a car forward. One may conclude therefore, that the stars do not actually move, and that this appearance of movement is only due to the rotation- of-the-earth-effect. But the truth is that the stars do move, but their movement is usually from East to West and difficult to detect with the naked eye as the distance between us and them is very, very great.

However, when we come to the Star of Bethlehem, we see another strange occurrence. This star was also moving, but not in the regular pattern used by all stars. It moved from East to South, a completely different direction. It was this different movement that no doubt caught the attention of the Astronomers or wise men. [Some bible students refer to these wise men (or Magi) as astrologers; Young’s Analytical Concordance refers to them as astronomers]. These wise men researched this star and found in the Prophets (as Daniel had taught them), that there was going to be a special star that would reveal the birth of the Messiah.

Numbers 24:17 states that: “A Star shall come out of Jacob; A Scepter shall rise out of Israel.” This prophecy was referring to the Messiah who would come forth from the tribe of Judah, who was the son of Jacob. However, more than just a physical star, it was saying that a Mighty King would come forth as the Messiah-Saviour of the world. The star was only an indicator, that something huge and powerful was happening in the galaxies above.

Why did it move from East to South? Because Jerusalem firstly is 800 miles approximately (Southward) from Persia / Babylon where the wise men lived. And Bethlehem was another six miles (Southward) from Jerusalem. Yet, this irregular path of movement could have caused a clash and a crash with other stars in orbit that were moving in their designated positions.

Johannes Kepler (A Christian astronomer) seems to indicate that at the time of Jesus’ birth, there was an unusual conjunction of stars. Clearly God was getting heaven and earth ready for the birth of His Son. As most bible teachers believe, this Star of Bethlehem was most likely to be the Shekinah glory of God, that appeared in mid-air as a star. It would be similar in essence but different in manifestation to what led the children of Israel through the wilderness (See Exodus 40:36-38).

God was not about to use just a star He created to announce the birth of His Son. Oh No! His intention was to reach the Gentiles with this announcement. So, He was going to announce his Son’s arrival by permitting His own luminous glory in the form of a star, His glory being much brighter that any star. One that would cut a pathway across all boundaries set for mere celestial beings, so that the message of the gospel would be made known to all the Gentiles. Praise His Name!

Wise Men Worship

(Matthew 2:1-2) – “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His Star in the East and have come to worship Him.”

A couple of thoughts on the above two lines:

Firstly, we know that when Jesus was born in Bethlehem, there was an announcement made to the shepherds through the angels in Luke 2:12.  An angel of the Lord stood before the shepherds and the glory of the Lord shone around them and they were afraid.  But angel reassures them and says – For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:11-12).

Secondly, far away in the East, there was a group of wise men (magi), who were astronomers and spent their time studying the stars.  Youngs analytical concordance refers to them as Persian astronomers.  They saw a special star suddenly come out of nowhere, which caught their interest and then began to research it.  Interesting that they received a sign or call from God while they were busy in their normal pursuits.

Through their inquiry and search in the prophets, they came to realize that this star was a sign about something special about to happen (Numbers 24:17 – Out of Jacob, will come a star…).

Jerusalem:  They followed the star and reached Jerusalem and Bethlehem where it stood still over the place where Jesus was born. These Magi were Gentiles, remember.

Gentiles:  It is interesting that the message of the Saviour’s birth was sent to the shepherds (Jews) and the Magi (Gentiles).  This clearly indicates that He Jesus was born into our world for all mankind who were just two groups at that time – Jews and Gentiles.  A beautiful picture of the love of God sent to cover all.

Arrival:  When they arrived at the place where the star stood still, they found the Saviour – Jesus the King of the Jews.

Three things we can learn: 

First, they sought the King.  We are clearly told, that if we seek, we will find, when we search for Him with all our hearts. (Matthew 7:7; Jer 29:13).  One of the main reasons why they are called “wise men” is because they sought the Lord, not because they studied the stars.  The whole earth reflects the glory of the Lord, and even if you are studying the stars, it will point to the glory of the Lord. They sought and found the One who created the stars. Besides the embodiment of all Truth and Wisdom is founded in Christ alone. “God looks down from heaven on humankind to see if there are any who are wise, who seek after God” (Psalm 53:2) NRSV

When they found Him, they worshipped Him!  11 “And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him (Mt 2:11a).

Second, they followed the signs God gave them till they found Him.  And when they found Him, they worshipped Him, for they had found the King. What a joy to know that their study of the stars and their long journey had not been in vain.  What a joy to know that God can lead us through anything, if we set our hearts to find him.

Thirdly, after they worshipped Him: – “And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh” (Mt 2:11b).

Interesting to note that the word for “gifts” is “dóron” – which means gifts or offerings.  The Greek word “dóron” primarily refers to a gift or offering – it is used to denote something given freely and generously, without expectation of return. In the New Testament, “dóron” is frequently associated with offerings given to God as an act of worship.

We see here three steps involved in the search of these wise men:

  1. They sought for the King and they found Him. (Seek and you will find)
  2. They found the King and they worshipped Him. (Worshipped)
  3. Next, they brought forth from their treasures (hearts), an offering of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Note: For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Mt 6:21). Their hearts were filled with devotion and love for their great find – The Lord Jesus Christ! We bring an offering from our hearts as our act of worship!