Gentile astrologers traveled hundreds of miles to worship Jesus, but the Jews seemed to be too lazy to seek Jesus. They told Herod the prophecy about the Messiah’s birthplace,but did nothing else.
Matthew 2: 4 He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?”
5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said, “for this is what the prophet wrote: 6 ‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are not least among the ruling cities of Judah, for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.’ ” [1]
Knowledge but No Action
Jerusalem was only five miles away from Bethlehem. Why didn’t the Jewish scholars at least investigate the wise men’s claims? We can’t be sure, but part of the problem could be that the wise men were Gentiles. Jews, as God’s chosen people, disdained Gentiles and refused to mix with them. God indeed chose the Jewish nation, but it was to show the other nations the way to God. They did not do this; instead, they became prideful and isolated.
The Jewish scholars also knew God had forbidden the use of astrology. Jeremiah 10:1Hear the word that the Lord speaks to you, O Israel! 2 This is what the Lord says: Do not act like the other nations, who try to read their future in the stars. Do not be afraid of their predictions.[2] Perhaps, they didn’t want to hear the story about the star because they thought it was a sin.
But in their haste to obey this Scripture, they forgot another. Balaam prophesied about the nation during the Exodus. Numbers 24: 17 I see him, but not here and now. I perceive him, but far in the distant future. A star will rise from Jacob; a scepter will emerge from Israel. [3]
Was This a Foreshadowing of Reactions to Jesus?
While the nation of Israel had done a poor job of demonstrating God to the World, Jesus, as a remnant of one, demonstrated God to us. The work of Jesus on the cross brings all who believe in Him, both Jew and Gentile, together to become part of God’s Kingdom.
As Jesus ministered on earth, many Jews rejected Him. Just as the Jewish scholars were too lazy to seek Jesus at the time of the wise men, many refused to believe Him during His ministry. In fact, their apathy turned to total rejection as they manipulated to have Him crucified. But, ironically, it was the cross that enables any who are willing to believe, Gentiles included, to receive salvation.
We can see that God can work through anyone He chooses. The Jews rejected the source of the information about the birth of a Jewish king. And in doing so, missed the Messiah. As the saying goes, God works in mysterious ways, His wonders to perform. Let us all be open to how God wants to work today. May we all continue to seek Him. To learn more, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/the-gift-of-seeking
[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.