The Desire of Ages
by Ellen G. White
Chapter 6: "We Have Seen His Star"
This chapter is based on Matthew 2.
"Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the
days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the East to Jerusalem,
saying, 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." {DA 59.1}
The wise men from the East were philosophers. They belonged
to a large and influential class that included men of noble birth, and
comprised much of the wealth and learning of their nation. Among these were
many who imposed on the credulity of the people. Others were upright men who
studied the indications of Providence in nature, and who were honored for their
integrity and wisdom. Of this character were the wise men who came to Jesus. {DA 59.2}
The light of God is ever shining amid the darkness of
heathenism. As these magi studied the starry heavens, and sought to fathom the
mystery hidden in their bright paths, they beheld the glory of the Creator.
Seeking clearer knowledge, they turned to the Hebrew Scriptures. In their own
land were treasured prophetic writings that predicted the coming of a divine
teacher. Balaam belonged to the magicians, though at one time a prophet of God;
by the Holy Spirit he had foretold the prosperity of Israel and the appearing
of the Messiah; and his prophecies [60] had been handed down
by tradition from century to century. But in the Old Testament the Saviour's
advent was more clearly revealed. The magi learned with joy that His coming was
near, and that the whole world was to be filled with a knowledge of the glory
of the Lord. {DA 59.3}
The wise men had seen a mysterious light in the heavens upon
that night when the glory of God flooded the hills of Bethlehem. As the light
faded, a luminous star appeared, and lingered in the sky. It was not a fixed
star nor a planet, and the phenomenon excited the keenest interest. That star
was a distant company of shining angels, but of this the wise men were
ignorant. Yet they were impressed that the star was of special import to them.
They consulted priests and philosophers, and searched the scrolls of the
ancient records. The prophecy of Balaam had declared, "There shall come a
Star out of Jacob, and a Scepter shall rise out of Israel." Numbers 24:17.
Could this strange star have been sent as a harbinger of the Promised One? The
magi had welcomed the light of heaven-sent truth; now it was shed upon them in
brighter rays. Through dreams they were instructed to go in search of the
newborn Prince. {DA 60.1}
As by faith Abraham went forth at the call of God, "not
knowing whither he went" (Hebrews 11:8); as by faith Israel followed the
pillar of cloud to the Promised Land, so did these Gentiles go forth to find
the promised Saviour. The Eastern country abounded in precious things, and the
magi did not set out empty-handed. It was the custom to offer presents as an
act of homage to princes or other personages of rank, and the richest gifts the
land afforded were borne as an offering to Him in whom all the families of the
earth were to be blessed. It was necessary to journey by night in order to keep
the star in view; but the travelers beguiled the hours by repeating traditional
sayings and prophetic utterances concerning the One they sought. At every pause
for rest they searched the prophecies; and the conviction deepened that they
were divinely guided. While they had the star before them as an outward sign,
they had also the inward evidence of the Holy Spirit, which was impressing their
hearts, and inspiring them with hope. The journey, though long, was a happy one
to them. {DA 60.2}
They have reached the land of Israel, and are descending the
Mount of Olives, with Jerusalem in sight, when, lo, the star that has guided
them all the weary way rests above the temple, and after a season fades from
their view. With eager steps they press onward, confidently expecting the
Messiah's birth to be the joyful burden of every tongue. But their [61]
inquiries are in vain. Entering the holy city, they repair to the temple. To
their amazement they find none who seem to have a knowledge of the newborn
king. Their questions call forth no expressions of joy, but rather of surprise
and fear, not unmingled with contempt. {DA 60.3}
The priests are rehearsing traditions. They extol their
religion and their own piety, while they denounce the Greeks and Romans as
heathen, and sinners above others. The wise men are not idolaters, and in the
sight of God they stand far higher than do these, His professed worshipers; yet
they are looked upon by the Jews as heathen. Even among the appointed guardians
of the Holy Oracles their eager questionings touch no chord of sympathy. {DA 61.1}
The arrival of the magi was quickly noised throughout
Jerusalem. Their strange errand created an excitement among the people, which
penetrated to the palace of King Herod. The wily Edomite was aroused at the
intimation of a possible rival. Countless murders had stained his pathway to
the throne. Being of alien blood, he was hated by the people over whom he
ruled. His only security was the favor of Rome. But this new Prince had a
higher claim. He was born to the kingdom. {DA 61.2}
Herod suspected the priests of plotting with the strangers
to excite a popular tumult and unseat him from the throne. He concealed his
mistrust, however, determined to thwart their schemes by superior cunning.
Summoning the chief priests and the scribes, he questioned [62] them as
to the teaching of their sacred books in regard to the place of the Messiah's
birth. {DA 61.3}
This inquiry from the usurper of the throne, and made at the
request of strangers, stung the pride of the Jewish teachers. The indifference
with which they turned to the rolls of prophecy enraged the jealous tyrant. He
thought them trying to conceal their knowledge of the matter. With an authority
they dared not disregard, he commanded them to make close search, and to
declare the birthplace of their expected King. "And they said unto him, In
Bethlehem of Judea: for thus it is written by the prophet,
"And thou Bethlehem, land of Judah,
Art in nowise least among the princes of Judah:
For out of thee shall come forth a governor,
Which shall be shepherd of My people Israel."
R. V. {DA 62.1}
Herod now invited the magi to a private interview. A tempest
of wrath and fear was raging in his heart, but he preserved a calm exterior,
and received the strangers courteously. He inquired at what time the star had
appeared, and professed to hail with joy the intimation of the birth of Christ.
He bade his visitors, "Search diligently for the young child; and when ye
have found Him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship Him
also." So saying, he dismissed them to go on their way to Bethlehem. {DA 62.2}
The priests and elders of Jerusalem were not as ignorant
concerning the birth of Christ as they pretended. The report of the angels'
visit to the shepherds had been brought to Jerusalem, but the rabbis had treated
it as unworthy of their notice. They themselves might have found Jesus, and
might have been ready to lead the magi to His birthplace; but instead of this,
the wise men came to call their attention to the birth of the Messiah.
"Where is He that is born King of the Jews?" they said; "for we
have seen His star in the East, and are come to worship Him." {DA 62.3}
Now pride and envy closed the door against the light. If the
reports brought by the shepherds and the wise men were credited, they would
place the priests and rabbis in a most unenviable position, disproving their
claim to be the exponents of the truth of God. These learned teachers would not
stoop to be instructed by those whom they termed heathen. It could not be, they
said, that God had passed them by, to communicate [63] with
ignorant shepherds or uncircumcised Gentiles. They determined to show their
contempt for the reports that were exciting King Herod and all Jerusalem. They
would not even go to Bethlehem to see whether these things were so. And they
led the people to regard the interest in Jesus as a fanatical excitement. Here
began the rejection of Christ by the priests and rabbis. From this point their
pride and stubbornness grew into a settled hatred of the Saviour. While God was
opening the door to the Gentiles, the Jewish leaders were closing the door to
themselves. {DA 62.4}
The wise men departed alone from Jerusalem. The shadows of
night were falling as they left the gates, but to their great joy they again
saw the star, and were directed to Bethlehem. They had received no such
intimation of the lowly estate of Jesus as was given to the shepherds. After
the long journey they had been disappointed by the indifference of the Jewish
leaders, and had left Jerusalem less confident than when they entered the city.
At Bethlehem they found no royal guard stationed to protect the newborn King.
None of the world's honored men were in attendance. Jesus was cradled in a
manger. His parents, uneducated peasants, were His only guardians. Could this
be He of whom it was written, that He should "raise up the tribes of
Jacob," and "restore the preserved of Israel;" that He should be
"a light to the Gentiles," and for "salvation unto the end of
the earth"? Isaiah 49:6. {DA 63.1}
"When they were come into the house, they saw the young
child with Mary His mother, and fell down, and worshiped Him." Beneath the
lowly guise of Jesus, they recognized the presence of Divinity. They gave their
hearts to Him as their Saviour, and then poured out their gifts,—"gold,
and frankincense, and myrrh." What a faith was theirs! [64]
It might have been said of the wise men from the East, as afterward of the
Roman centurion, "I have not found so great faith, no, not in
Israel." Matthew 8:10. {DA
63.2}
The wise men had not penetrated Herod's design toward Jesus.
When the object of their journey was accomplished, they prepared to return to
Jerusalem, intending to acquaint him with their success. But in a dream they
received a divine message to hold no further communication with him. Avoiding
Jerusalem, they set out for their own country by another route. {DA 64.1}
In like manner Joseph received warning to flee into Egypt
with Mary and the child. And the angel said, "Be thou there until I bring
thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy Him." Joseph
obeyed without delay, setting out on the journey by night for greater security.
{DA 64.2}
Through the wise men, God had called the attention of the
Jewish nation to the birth of His Son. Their inquiries in Jerusalem, the popular
interest excited, and even the jealousy of Herod, which compelled the attention
of the priests and rabbis, directed minds to the prophecies concerning the
Messiah, and to the great event that had just taken place. [65] {DA 64.3}
Satan was bent on shutting out the divine light from the
world, and he used his utmost cunning to destroy the Saviour. But He who never
slumbers nor sleeps was watching over His beloved Son. He who had rained manna
from heaven for Israel and had fed Elijah in the time of famine provided in a
heathen land a refuge for Mary and the child Jesus. And through the gifts of
the magi from a heathen country, the Lord supplied the means for the journey
into Egypt and the sojourn in a land of strangers. {DA 65.1}
The magi had been among the first to welcome the Redeemer.
Their gift was the first that was laid at His feet. And through that gift, what
privilege of ministry was theirs! The offering from the heart that loves, God
delights to honor, giving it highest efficiency in service for Him. If we have
given our hearts to Jesus, we also shall bring our gifts to Him. Our gold and
silver, our most precious earthly possessions, our highest mental and spiritual
endowments, will be freely devoted to Him who loved us, and gave Himself for us.
{DA 65.2}
Herod in Jerusalem impatiently awaited the return of the
wise men. As time passed, and they did not appear, his suspicions were roused.
The unwillingness of the rabbis to point out the Messiah's birthplace seemed to
indicate that they had penetrated his design, and that the magi had purposely
avoided him. He was maddened at the thought. Craft had failed, but there was
left the resort to force. He would make an example of this child-king. Those
haughty Jews should see what they might expect in their attempts to place a
monarch on the throne. {DA
65.3}
Soldiers were at once sent to Bethlehem, with orders to put
to death all the children of two years and under. The quiet homes of the city
of David witnessed those scenes of horror that, six hundred years before, had
been opened to the prophet. "In Ramah was there a voice heard,
lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children,
and would not be comforted, because they are not." {DA 65.4}
This calamity the Jews had brought upon themselves. If they
had been walking in faithfulness and humility before God, He would in a signal
manner have made the wrath of the king harmless to them. But they had separated
themselves from God by their sins, and had rejected the Holy Spirit, which was
their only shield. They had not studied the Scriptures with a desire to conform
to the will of God. They had searched for prophecies which could be interpreted
to exalt themselves, and to show how God despised all other nations. It was
their proud boast that the [66] Messiah was to come as a king,
conquering His enemies, and treading down the heathen in His wrath. Thus they
had excited the hatred of their rulers. Through their misrepresentation of
Christ's mission, Satan had purposed to compass the destruction of the Saviour;
but instead of this, it returned upon their own heads. {DA 65.5}
This act of cruelty was one of the last that darkened the
reign of Herod. Soon after the slaughter of the innocents, he was himself
compelled to yield to that doom which none can turn aside. He died a fearful
death. {DA 66.1}
Joseph, who was still in Egypt, was now bidden by an angel
of God to return to the land of Israel. Regarding Jesus as the heir of David's
throne, Joseph desired to make his home in Bethlehem; but learning that
Archelaus reigned in Judea in his father's stead, he feared that the father's
designs against Christ might be carried out by the son. Of all the sons of
Herod, Archelaus most resembled him in character. Already his succession to the
government had been marked by a tumult in Jerusalem, and the slaughter of
thousands of Jews by the Roman guards. {DA 66.2}
Again Joseph was directed to a place of safety. He returned
to Nazareth, his former home, and here for nearly thirty years Jesus dwelt,
"that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be
called a Nazarene." Galilee was under the control of a son of Herod, but
it had a much larger admixture of foreign inhabitants than Judea. [67]
Thus there was less interest in matters relating especially to the Jews, and
the claims of Jesus would be less likely to excite the jealousy of those in
power. {DA 66.3}
Such was the Saviour's reception when He came to the earth.
There seemed to be no place of rest or safety for the infant Redeemer. God
could not trust His beloved Son with men, even while carrying forward His work
for their salvation. He commissioned angels to attend Jesus and protect Him
till He should accomplish His mission on earth, and die by the hands of those
whom He came to save. {DA
67.1}
Click here to read the next chapter:
"As a Child"
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