THE MYSTERIOUS MAGI

 

Magi existed in Persia as early as the sixth century BC.  They were a priestly group among the Medes who performed religious ceremonies and interpreted signs and portents. Persia (now Iran) conquered neighboring Mesopotamia (now Iraq) and from the fourth century BC onward, Magi were increasingly associated with astronomy and astrology, the observation and the ‘interpretation’ of the stars being closely related in ancient times and Babylon became the center of ancient astronomy and astrology. 

I've always been fascinated with astronomy, especially the planets doing their heavenly ballet with grace and precision, in fact, I wanted to be an astronomer until I learned that it was a hard and fast requirement to have math skills above a fifth grade level. 

In 586 BC the Babylonians conquered Jerusalem and took the Jews into exile. From the time of the exile onward, Babylon contained a strong Jewish presence and the knowledge of the Jewish prophecies of a Savior–King, the Messiah, may have been well-known to the Babylonians and to the Magi.

In the Hellenistic age, some of the Magi left Babylon and traveled to neighboring countries to teach and practice astronomy/astrology, which was a core educational subject in the ancient world. Thus, the first century AD Jewish scholar Philo of Alexandria stated that the student of astronomy perceived "timely signs of coming events’ since ‘the stars were made for signs."

It's important to realize that there are many references in ancient literature to Magi visiting kings and emperors in other countries. For example, Tiridates, the King of Armenia, led a procession of Magi to pay homage to Nero in Rome in AD 66.

The Magi who saw the star of Bethlehem were astronomers/astrologers, who may have been familiar with the Jewish prophecies of a Savior–King, and who probably came from Arabia or Mesopotamia, countries to the east of Palestine. Thus a visit by the Magi to pay homage to Jesus, the new King of the Jews, would not have appeared as particularly unusual to readers of Matthew’s gospel. However, the Magi must have had an unmistakably clear astronomical/astrological message to start them on their journey.

 How long did their trip take? Lawrence of Arabia stated that in 24 hours a fully loaded camel can cover 100 miles if hard–pressed and 50 miles comfortably. The furthest the Magi are likely to have traveled is from Babylon to Jerusalem, a distance of about 550 miles going directly across the Arabian desert and about 900 miles traveling via the Fertile Crescent. One or two months for the journey within reason.

When they arrived in Jerusalem, the went to the court of Herod to inquire where they might find "He who has been born King of the Jews?" This question conveyed what Herod considered to be treasonous information, so he asked the Jewish scribes and priests where this King was to be born. 

These religious scholars quoted Micah from their Old Testament scrolls, rightly saying, "Bethlehem." With Herod's instructions (satanically inspired) to return to him and let him know if the new king was indeed there. The Wise Men left to travel the last 6 miles of their trip to worship the King.

Wait! What? the Jewish scholars didn't bother to go with them to worship their own King? No. Only 6 miles to Bethlehem, but they had no interest. So here we have Gentile scholars traveling at least over 500 miles in what had to have been an arduous trip in a camel caravan to find and worship Jesus.  

This reminds us of what that Baby would say some 30 years later about such indifference: "He that is not with Me is against Me."