The Babe, the Child and the Star

[LeadMe]

Some realizations from the Word of the Lord...concerning the birth of the Lord. As we see man's idea of His birth with the three wise men kneeling before the baby Jesus laying in the manger as a bright star beams overhead....what does God teach?



Matthew 2:1-2 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.

Jesus was born "in the days of Herod," but when did the wise men see "His star" and see Jesus? And, what or who is "His star?"​

2:7-10 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. 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. 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.

The baby Jesus is now...the young child Jesus, still living in Bethlehem but no longer in a manger when the three wise men worship Him....​

7:11-12 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. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.



7:13-15 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and His mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy Him. When he arose, he took the young child and His mother by night, and departed into Egypt: And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called My son.


7:16-17 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying,

We see there that the "young child Jesus" could be as old as two years of age...not a babe in a manger but a toddler, a young child living in a house.​

7:19-23 But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, Saying, Arise, and take the young child and His mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life. And he arose, and took the young child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee: And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.

There we see the truth of when the wise men saw the Lord. With that I am also given the identity of "the star in the east." The star is The Angel of the Lord Himself, leading the wise men, as He leads us...to the Saviour.

Revelation 1:20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.​

 

[Davy]

Hi LeadMe: The star from the east in the nativity play, is always described as being sent by God. However, if you take a careful look at the facts, it becomes increasingly clear God did not send that star.

Firstly, the astrologers or three wise men, were men who studied and looked for signs in the starry heavens. These men practiced astrology which was forbidden by God's law. (Deuteronomy 18:10-12; Isaiah 47:13, 14) So why would God use three astrologers and a mysterious star to announce the birth of his son?

Secondly, when these God dishonoring astrologers reached the region. The star guided them to Jerusalem not Bethlehem, and to a wicked jealous King Herod who would do anything to project his throne from any rival. This later resulted in the death of many children and babies, which does indicate Jesus was no longer a baby, but a young child. Otherwise, Herod would have ordered the killing of all new born babies, not every boy under 2 years of age. (Matthew 2:1-6)

Thirdly, if God sent this star which alerted Herod to Jesus' presence, why would God willingly put his own son's life in danger. Then send an angel to tell Joseph to flee to Egypt to escape Herod's jealous desire to kill the child. Joseph and his family had to quickly get up and flee to Egypt, where he stayed until Herod died. (Matthew 2:13-15)

Fourthly, when the star lead them to Bethlehem, then they got to see Jesus. But they were told to go and report back to Herod where the child was. However, an angel told the astrologers to flee by another way, so they could not tell Herod where Jesus was. (Matthew 2:7-12) This would give Joseph time to gather his belongings and take his family to Egypt and avoid the slaughter that was to come. (Matthew 2:16-18) What would be the point in sending them to see Herod first, and then telling them not to go and see him afterward.

It becomes clear that there is only one individual who would use a star of the demonic art of astrology, the God dishonoring astrologers, and the clear leading of them to Herod not directly to Jesus, to influence Herod to try to kill Jesus. This was non other than Satan who wanted to kill Jesus. Fortunately, God was watching out for him, and sent an angel to intervene so that they could escape, which shows this star had nothing to do with God.