Miscellaneous Lesson Christmas 2013 Wise Men Still Follow the Star Various Scriptures December 22, 2013

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Reynard Eaton
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1 Miscellaneous Lesson Christmas 2013 Wise Men Still Follow the Star Various Scriptures December 22, 2013 I. Introduction A. Yule log, decking the halls boughs of holly, the hanging of wreathes and garlands 1. These practices are all of Pagan origin 2. Evergreen plants were of great value to many ancient peoples, especially those who believed in a sun god 3. They would adorn their doors and homes with boughs and wreathes to ward off witches, ghosts, evil spirits and the illnesses they bring B. Mistletoe 1. Mistletoe appears to be Saturnalian in origin 2. It would be used to commence certain orgies and related pagan rites C. Santa Claus 1. Some scholars report that the name Santa can be traced to the ancient near east 2. It was considered a common name for Nimrod, a near eastern mystery religious character that had origins in Scripture 3. Origins in that his name was mentioned in the story of the Tower of Babel Page 1 of 10

2 4. Nimrod was considered a god of fire throughout Asia Minor who would enter peoples houses if he had the need, through their chimneys D. The Christmas tree 1. The tree is clearly of pagan origin 2. In Babylonian folklore, a source of many mystery religions, the original Christmas tree was found growing out of a dead tree stump 3. This stump represents the vanquished god, Nimrod, who had now come back to life as a new character named Tammuz, the resurrected one E. Do we celebrate the birth of Jesus on the proper date 1. Probably not 2. The sheep were kept out in the fields, night and day, between March and September 3. The shepherds would stay with them day and night 4. With October came the winter season and the rains 5. The shepherds could no longer stay 24/7 in the fields and the folks were brought in to the home pastures F. Am I telling you to go home and take down your lights and mistletoe, get rid of your tree and be pure? 1. Instead, I want to redirect your attention to one more classic Christmas celebration activity placing the crowning ornament on your tree G. The ornament on top of the tree, what should it be? 1. A Star 2. An Angel Page 2 of 10

3 3. Or something else H. I want to spend a little time focusing on the top of your tree II. Passages of import: A. Matthew 2: magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, 2 "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him." 1. How did these Magi know that a star would appear in the skies and that that star was announcing the birth of the King of the Jews? a. Some scholars believe that they are referring to a prophecy found in the Old Testament (1) I first considered all passages with star or stars in them (2) but then concluded that star must be singular and not plural For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him. [Matthew 2:2] b. In the Old Testament [NASB] there are only three passages containing the word star [NKJV has only 2] (1) Amos 5:26 "You also carried along Sikkuth your king and Kiyyun, your images, the star of your gods which you made for yourselves. (2) Isaiah 14:12 "How you have fallen from heaven, O star of the morning, son of the dawn! You have been cut down to the earth, you who have weakened the nations! (3) Numbers 24:16-17 The oracle of him who hears the words Page 3 of 10

4 of God, And knows the knowledge of the Most High, Who sees the vision of the Almighty, Falling down, yet having his eyes uncovered. 17 "I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near; A star shall come forth from Jacob, A scepter shall rise from Israel, And shall crush through the forehead of Moab, And tear down all the sons of Sheth. (a) this was a prophecy of Balaam, a prophet of God who I do not believe was Jewish (b) he was hired by the king of Moab to curse the Israelites as they traveled from the wilderness to the promised land (c) but instead of cursing them, Balaam pronounced this prophecy (d) as the prophecy continued, it also included victory over Moab, Edom and their allies c. Other scholars conclude that there was either an original or supplemental prophecy that these Magi knew of that is extra Biblical (1) is that possible (2) consider John 21:24-25 This is the disciple who is testifying to these things and wrote these things, and we know that his testimony is true. 25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they were written in Page 4 of 10

5 detail, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books that would be written. 2. Where is east, that is the place of origin of these Magi? a. Some scholars will say Persia b. Others old Babylon, there was still a large community of Jews living there c. Still suggest Parthia, that these magi were high ranking members of the Parthian Kingdom B. Passages about King Herod and the Magi 1. Matthew 2:1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, a. Were there wise men at the nativity scene? b. Consider Luke 2:21-22, c. He leaves out the story of the Magi or the subsequent trip to Egypt taken by Joseph, Mary and Jesus d. Let s consider what Matthew recounts 2. Matthew 2:2 Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? a. Matthew 2:3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. b. Matthew 2:4 Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he [Herod] inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. c. Matthew 2:7 Then Herod secretly called the magi and determined Page 5 of 10

6 from them the exact time the star appeared. d. Evidently Herod tied the time of the star s appearance to the birth of the Child 3. It appears that the Magi were too powerful for him to try and intimidate them 4. They continue on to Bethlehem 5. Matthew 2:9... and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was. a. This is a very unusual star (1) it appears first in the heavens where these magi can see it and recognize it to be new in the heavens (2) then it reappears (3) it moves so as to guide them to Bethlehem (4) then it stands still over the home when Jesus is residing, pointing out to the magi His place of abode b. Can this be a star as we use that word c. The Greek word is avsth,r aster {as-tare'} Meaning: a star d. Same word as in Rev. 1:16 e. Is the word star ever used to refer to angelic beings (1) 2 Corinthians 11:14 No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. (2) Could a similar angel being on a mission from God (a) appear in the night sky as a newly appearing star Page 6 of 10

7 (b) and then reappear to illumine the way from Jerusalem to Bethlehem (c) and then finally stop right at our Lord s dwelling place? (3) Job 39:1-11 (a) Job 38:7 When the morning stars sang together And all the sons of God shouted for joy? 6. Matthew 2:11 11 After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. a. The magi found Him in Bethlehem b. Dwelling in a house c. The word used in the Greek text is now small child, not infant as used in Luke, Chapter 2 d. The magi had thousands of miles to cover in order to make the trip to Israel. 7. Matthew 2:12 And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way. 8. Matthew 2:13-15 Now when they had gone, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Get up! Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is going to search for the Child to destroy Him." 14 So Joseph got up and took the Child and His mother while it was still night, and left for Egypt. 15 He remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had Page 7 of 10

8 been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: "OUT OF EGYPT I CALLED MY SON." 9. Matthew 2:16 Then when Herod saw that he had been tricked by the magi, he became very enraged, and sent and slew all the male children who were in Bethlehem and all its vicinity, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the magi. a. Why would they have stayed in Bethlehem that long? b. Mary is trying to live in a place away from her shame and disgrace? c. Starting a new life together d. God told them to e. God hadn t told them to leave 10. Matthew 2:19-23 But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, and said, 20 "Get up, take the Child and His mother, and go into the land of Israel; for those who sought the Child's life are dead." 21 So Joseph got up, took the Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Then after being warned by God in a dream, he left for the regions of Galilee, 23 and came and lived in a city called Nazareth. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophets: "He shall be called a Nazarene." III. What s real and what s not Page 8 of 10

9 A. Consider Joseph and Mary s life plans 1. Originally they most certainly planned to settle down in Nazareth or close thereto and start a life, Joseph working as a carpenter 2. Then things changed in their lives as a result of several angelic visits and one special visit from the Holy Spirit of God. From there their plans changed and they planned to settle in Bethlehem 3. Matthew 2:13 Now when they had gone, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Get up! Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is going to search for the Child to destroy Him." 4. Now their plans changed again and they settled in Egypt for what to them would be an unknown term of time 5. Then finally they are directed back to Galilee and to Nazareth 6. Why did all of this happen like this? a. Because Mary and Joseph obeyed God b. When you obey, you can expect opposition c. Spiritual assaults and attacks many times will indicate that you are in the very center of God s will for you d. Joseph and Mary were B. God s directs those who belong to Him and who are committed to His plan 1. When this young couple needed direction, whether they knew it or not, God provided it to them 2. When you practice obedience to God, you put yourself in a position to Page 9 of 10

10 hear and understand His guidance C. If God s plan for you requires moving stars around, you can count on Him to do it Page 10 of 10

Then the Jews said, "It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?"

Then the Jews said, It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days? 1. Now this is the genealogy of Esau, who is Edom. 2. Genesis 36:1 Then the Jews said, "It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?" 3. John 2:20 We love