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Who Were The Wise Men?

Who Were The Wise Men?. The Shrine of the Three Kings Cologne Germany. The Wise Men (Magi) Matthew 2:1-6. Magi is the name of a priestly family or tribe from among the Medes that emerged in the 7th century BC

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Who Were The Wise Men?

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  1. Who Were The Wise Men?

  2. The Shrine of the Three KingsCologne Germany

  3. The Wise Men (Magi)Matthew 2:1-6 • Magi is the name of a priestly family or tribe from among the Medes that emerged in the 7th century BC • The word “Magi” developed into the English word magic and the one involved in the practice became known as a magician • They were the authorities of all of the academic disciplines of science, mathematics, astronomy, history, law and languages • In 602 B.C. the Jewish people were conquered by the Babylonians and soon the entire nation was relocated into Babylon. • Daniel was placed in charge of all of the Magi by King Nebuchadnezzar. (Daniel 2:48)

  4. The Parthian Empire

  5. The Historical Background. • After having conquered Jerusalem, the Roman General Pompey attacked the Parthians in North Syria in 63 BC. • In 55 BC, at the battle of Carrhae, General Crassus led his legions into the heart of the Persia where he lost 30,000 troops and was also killed. • In 40 BC the Parthians launched another campaign against the Romans and once again drove them out of Israel. • Herod was then given an army and the title “King of the Jews” by the Roman Senate in 40 BC.

  6. The Historical Setting • Around 5 BC, a Parthian rebellion had developed in north Syria and Herod sent his troops to help restore Roman rule. • Around 5BC the Parthians had deposed their king, Phraates the 4th, and were looking for another king. • Many historians estimate that they would have been escorted by at least 500 Persian cavalry troops (on Arabian horses, not camels) along with their royal entourage.

  7. Herod was a capable politician • He ruled Israel from 37 BC until his death in 4 BC during a solar eclipse just before Passover. • He built theaters, race courses, amphitheaters, the great Temple in Jerusalem, as well as fortresses, and the royal palace. • To placate the anger of the Jews after he built a temple to Caesar, he gave everyone in Israel a rebate on their taxes. • He lowered the people’s taxes twice during periods of financial difficulty.

  8. Herod was also a ruthless tyrant • Herod executed 45 of the most prominent Jews who had opposed him. • He had his wife Mariamne’s brother who was High Priest killed. • He had his brother in law executed. • He later had his favorite wife Mariamne and her mother Alexandra executed.

  9. Herod was also a ruthless tyrant • He executed his sons Alexander & Aristobulus. • Herod had two Temple officials burned alive as an example to the rest of the people. • He had all of the most notable Jewish leaders arrested and detained at the Hippodrome to be convicted on false charges and executed after his death.

  10. The StarMatthew 2:7-12 • A conjunction of the planets Saturn and Jupiter. • A comet, a meteor, or a supernova. • Some say it may have been an astrological sign.

  11. The StarThe “Shekinah” glory of God The Greek word that is translated as star in Matthew chapter 2 is the word “Astare”. • Rev. 1:16 “…he had in his right hand seven stars.” • Rev. 12:1 “…upon her head a crown of twelve stars.” • Rev. 22: 16Jesus said that he is “… the bright and morning star.”).

  12. The StarThe “Shekinah” glory of God • Exodus 34:29-35, When God showed Moses his receding glory his face shone with a visible light. • Leviticus 9, The glory of God was manifested in the Tabernacle as light. • Luke 2:9 “…and the glory of the Lord shone around them…” • Matthew 17:1-3 Jesus was transformed in the presence of his disciples, his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. • Revelation 21:11 The heavenly city “…shone with the glory of God…”.

  13. Why didn’t everyone see this same spectacular light that the Magi saw? • Exodus 14:19-20The Angel of the Lord appeared as a pillar of fire. To the Jews it appeared as a pillar of fire but to the Egyptians it was a pillar of darkness . • 2nd Kings 6:16-17When God opened his eyes, the servant saw that the hills around them were filled with a whole army of angels. • Luke 24:31On the road to Emmaus, they didn’t know that it was Jesus until he allowed their eyes to be opened. • Acts 9:7When Jesus appeared to Paul on the road to Damascus the men who were with him heard a sound (that sounded like thunder) and saw a light but didn’t see anyone.

  14. When Did They Visit • Luke 2:22-24forty days after Jesus was born Mary offered a sacrifice of two turtledoves instead of a yearling lamb for her ritual purification according to the Law of Moses. (ref. Leviticus 12:2-5) • Matthew 2:11The Magi found Jesus in a house not a stable. • The Greek word that Matthew used for the young child in his gospel is different than the Greek word that Luke used by the inspiration of the Spirit of God to describe the baby Jesus.

  15. The Gifts • Gold is a fitting gift to give to a king. • Frankincense was used in the temple in worship to God. • Myrrh was used to make perfumes and also for embalming.

  16. Contrasting Responses • True worship of God always costs the worshiper something (see 2nd Samuel 24:24). • King Herod responded to the news of Jesus’ birth with hostility. • The religious leaders and the people of Jerusalem responded with indifference. • The Magi and the shepherds responded with worship.

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