And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary, His mother, and fell down and worshipped Him” Matthew 2:11 KJV

After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Matthew 2:11 NASB

Their Wisdom

The first and tantalizing question is, “Where did the wise men find out about a star to signal the advent of the King of the Jews?” Many and varied have been the conjectures. As wise men, they studied astronomy, ancient writings, and ancient lore. Applying Occam’s razor and going for the most logical and simplest explanation, I believe it can very likely be attributed to the prophecies of Balaam.

When Judah was carried down into Babylon, they would have brought the Scriptures with them. Men such as the Magi would find interest in a foreign text, especially of a prophet from their region who spoke of Balaam and his prophetic utterances concerning this nation. It was in Numbers 24:17 that a rising star is linked with a sceptre of rule. Taking these two things together, the star announced His birth, and the sceptre foretold His royalty. They wisely surmised that a King of the nation of Israel had been born. Combining the writings in the sacred text and the sign in the sky, they surmised that the Scripture was being fulfilled, and they moved in obedience to the Word of God.

Though erring in making Jerusalem their destination, thinking logically that this is where a king would be born, their wisdom was also evidenced here. They carried with them gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. While not privy to the amounts of these treasures, we can guestimate that the total value was significant. It would be sufficient to fund a journey and stay in Egypt that was at least a year in duration.

But Herod never saw their treasures. They were hidden from him. Their wealth was for another. In his dealings with the wise men, Herod treats them with some disdain, thinking that he can use them as pawns to find and remove this new rival King. Theirs was the wisdom; his was the folly.

Their Wealth

The information gleaned from the scribes and rulers directed the wise men to Bethlehem. But the star reappearing may have redirected them to Nazareth. (I know I am a lonely minority on this, but I think they found Him in a house in Nazareth, not Bethlehem). Reasoning may have taken them to Herod’s court, but revelation will take them to the Child.

Several truths are lovely to notice, as found in the text. This is one of the few, if not the only time, that a material substance on earth is referred to as a “treasure.” It receives that designation because it was being offered to Him. What transmutes anything of material value into a treasure is the measure in which it is yielded to Him.

Additionally, it is evident that they had prepared for worship. Recognizing the “star” and the “sceptre” as indicating not only a royal birth but a unique royal birth, they had prepared in their home country to come as worshippers. They did not come to get from this King; they had come to give. Great expense and effort were entailed in travelling to own Him. But such was God’s delight in His Son that He would commandeer Gentiles from afar to do what Israel close at hand did not do.

Their Worship

We read that when they saw the star, they rejoiced. But when they saw the Child, they worshipped. Circumstances bring joy and can, at times, be a window for worship. But when we see Him, we worship. “They saw the young child with Mary, His mother” (Matt 2:11). How fitting that we read that “they fell down and worshipped Him.”

Consider:

Contrast the visit of shepherds as recounted by Luke (ch 2) and Magi as Matthew details.