To understand the question of the Magi, "Where is he that is born King
of the Jews?" a few words of explanation may be useful.
The expectation of a coming Messiah was not confined to the Jews:
through the long captivity of the Jews, the writings of the prophets
had become known throughout many lands, and there was therefore at
this time, in all the countries of the East, a general idea that a
King would shortly be born in Judaea, who should rule over all the
world. Balaam, who was well known in those countries of which we are
speaking, had said, "there shall come a star out of Jacob, and a
sceptre shall arise out of Israel"; hence it was generally believed,
that the appearance of some peculiar star in the Heavens, would inform
mankind of the birth of this mighty King. The Messiah, we must
recollect, was promised to Gentiles as well as to Jews; and therefore
all nations who had heard any of the prophecies concerning Him,
expected some benefit from the birth of this wonderful Being. Under
such circumstances, we can easily imagine that the Magi, who paid
such attention to the stars in general, should eagerly watch for the
appearance of one, which was to announce, that the long-looked-for
King was born in Judaea. Hence, when from their home in the East, they
beheld the glorious light of the Shechinah, shining in the direction
of the land of Judaea, they felt no doubt as to its meaning; and
without hesitation, they at once set off on their long journey, to
worship and do honour to the new-born King. The star had disappeared;
but the prophets had so plainly pointed out the land of Judaea as the
birthplace of the Messiah, that the Magi fearlessly and confidently
journeyed on to that country. When at length they reached it, they
naturally expected that so wonderful an event would be well known to
all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and that they should have no
difficulty in finding the abode of this glorious Child; therefore, as
soon as they arrived in the city, they asked, "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 words he was
troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
The birth of Jesus Christ made known by Angels to the Shepherds, and
by them "made known abroad" among their neighbours and friends, the
humble of the land, does not seem to have been noticed by the rulers
and Priests living at Jerusalem. Their own Scriptures taught them that
the Messiah was to come; and they expected that His birth would be
immediately followed by Revolts and Wars, Earthquakes, Famine and
Plague; therefore they might well be "troubled," when they heard He
was actually come; though, if they had rightly believed and understood
the great blessing He was to bring to mankind, they would have
rejoiced at His coming, and thought all temporal sufferings easy to be
borne for His sake.
Herod was troubled; for though he was now an old man, and not likely
to live till a new-born Infant should grow up, yet he did not like the
idea of another king to interfere with him: he did not understand the
nature of the Messiah's kingdom, and thought only of a king who would
govern the country and the people, make laws, and impose taxes; he had
no idea of a King who was to reign over the hearts of men on earth,
and finally receive them into His kingdom in heaven.
Herod's behaviour on this occasion showed a strange mixture of belief
and unbelief. In common with the Jews in general, he believed that
the Messiah was to come; and he evidently believed that the Child,
whose birth had been made known by the star, was indeed the Christ. He
therefore called together the wise and learned men, well acquainted
with the Scriptures of the Old Testament, and asked them where the
Messiah should be born. The chief priests and Scribes at once declared
that Bethlehem was pointed out by the prophets as the birthplace of
Messiah; thus giving another proof, that the Infant just born in that
place, was the promised Messiah. So far Herod believed; but now his
unbelief was shown by his fancying for one moment, that if this Child
really was the Messiah, he could kill him, and so frustrate the
purpose for which he was sent by God.
It seems strange that any one believing as Herod did, that the Infant
whom the Magi were seeking was really the Messiah, should have thought
it possible to fight against God, and destroy His Anointed: but so it
was. Herod, under pretence of wishing to go himself and worship the
King of the Jews, begged the Magi to come and bring him word when they
had found the young Child; and he also asked them particularly about
the time at which the star had first appeared, that he might know what
would be the age of the Babe, whom he was determined to destroy. The
wise men, or Magi, departed, and though they had received no clear
directions from the inhabitants of Jerusalem, better help was at hand:
the star which they had seen in the East, now appeared to them again,
and even moved on before them: "when they saw the star, they rejoiced
with exceeding great joy," and followed it, until "it came and stood
over" the stable "where the young child was." "And when they were come
into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell
down and worshipped him:" at once they acknowledged him to be something
more than an earthly king--a Being entitled to worship. Then they gave
such presents as were given to kings. It was the custom in the East,
where presents were so much given, to proportion their value to the
rank and station of those to whom the gift was offered. Mary and Joseph
were poor and in a humble rank of life, and to their infant, therefore,
flowers or fruit, or something of little value, would have been a
sufficient gift. But in the Son of Mary, the Magi acknowledged the
long-promised Messiah; and to Him they gave the most valuable gifts,
suitable for a King to receive: "when they had opened their treasures,
they presented unto Him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh."
Thus the Lord provided Joseph with the means for taking proper care of
the young child and his mother. At Bethlehem, the place of his birth,
Jesus had now been worshipped as a King, both by Jews and Gentiles;
thus fulfilling prophecy, and showing that the Messiah was to be the
Saviour of Gentiles, as well as Jews. Our Church has appointed a day,
to be observed in remembrance of this first showing, or manifestation,
of Christ to the Gentiles. In common talk we call this day Twelfth Day,
and the custom of drawing for King and Queen is very old, and is
founded upon the visit of the Magi, or kings of the East to Bethlehem.
The name by which Twelfth Day is distinguished in our Prayer-Book is
the "Epiphany," a word which means "manifestation" or "showing"--the
manifestation of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles.
The wise men, not suspecting Herod's wicked purpose, would no doubt
have gone back to him as he desired, but "being warned of God in a
dream" not to return to Jerusalem, "they departed into their country
another way."
After the departure of the Magi, the Lord, Who knows the secrets of
all hearts, warned Joseph in a dream, that Herod would seek the young
child to destroy him. In obedience to the command then given to him,
Joseph "arose, and took the young child and his mother by night, and
departed into Egypt"; thus fulfilling a prophecy which had spoken of
that country, as the place where the Messiah should for a time dwell.
At this time, a great many Jewish families lived in Egypt, and
supported themselves by their own industry: there were so many of
them, that they divided themselves into companies, according to their
trades or occupations: there was a company of silversmiths, who
manufactured articles of gold and silver, set jewels, and made
ornaments to be worn; there was another company of weavers, who wove
threads of flax and silk, into linen and silk of which garments were
made; and so on. In short, every trade had its own company; so that if
a poor Jew came into any city inhabited by his fellow countrymen, he
always knew where to find those who carried on the trade which he had
learned: then he could join them at once, and so find work, and earn a
maintenance for himself and family.
Perhaps Joseph joined one of these companies of his countrymen; but
the presents given by the Magi, would for a long time supply him with
all that he needed.