“I see him, but not now;
I behold him, but not near.
A star will come out of Jacob;
a scepter will rise out of Israel.”
Numbers 24:17 NIV
I wonder how the journey was for the magi of the east as they made their way across deserts and dunes over many days and nights to see a prophecy they believed had come true. Day and night, they followed a star, “His star” they called it, to come and worship a king that had long ago been promised.
Imagine the wonder and excitement that must have burst from their chests when they saw the star of Jacob. They had studied the signs and wonders of the sky and searched the ancient texts proclaimed by the prophets before them. They must have told each other they would know it when they saw it. And then it happened. As only God can, a miraculous, spectacular star like nothing they had ever seen before.
I picture the preparation and the packing. This could be a very long journey and they will go prepared. The star will lead the way to a king, the newborn King of the Jews. What treasures do you bring a king prophesied to come out of the small village of Bethlehem, who will lead his flock with the LORD’s strength and who will be the source of peace (Micah 5:2-5)? They pack gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
I ponder conversations they might have had around the fire when they camped for the night. How great is God’s wisdom as He spoke through the prophets! How mighty are God’s displays of wonder as He fulfills those prophecies! How deep is His love for humankind to bring the Messiah! How blessed we are that we can make this journey to worship Him.
I have no idea how long the journey took or what obstacles the magi encountered along the way. As most trips go, I’m sure there were many. Perhaps they were weary from the sand and the many nights spent on strange beds. Maybe they hoped for better weather or that their camels would behave. What I do know is that they kept God’s promise fulfilled in the sky in their hearts and carried it all the way to Jerusalem. They traveled with expectancy, hope, and with confidence in God’s faithfulness that He would do what He foretold through the prophets. Above all else, they made the journey full of joy that poured out on Jesus, the king, as they worshipped him.
This advent season, may you be filled with expectancy, hope, and confidence in God’s faithfulness to do all that He says He will do, and may you live with joy overflowing as you worship the King.
“After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”
Matthew 2:9-11 NIV