THE GOSPELS – The Magi from the East, Matthew chapter 2:9-12

31 January 2025

We are proceeding with studying Matthew chapter 2:1-12 the VISIT of the MAGI and we will focus today on verses 9-12.

We are mainly reading from the Complete Jewish Study Bible – insight for Jews and Christians with cross references to other Bible versions. As well as the Nelson’s Foundational Bible Dictionary.

As you know we are using the Hebrew names of God the Father, namely YHVH (Yod-Heh-Vav-Heh) where the word LORD in capital letters is used in standard versions of the Bible, and we will also use the description Heavenly Father and Abba Father.  And we also use the Hebrew Name Yeshua the Messiah instead of the English Name Jesus Christ translated from the Greek.

We ended last week with verse 8 with King He-rod summoning the Magi to meet with him privately and asking them exactly WHEN the STAR had appeared and then sending them to Bethlehem with the instructions to search carefully for THE CHILD; and when they find HIM to let him know, so that he too may go and worship HIM. We know however that this was all a lie, and that Herod did not really intent to worship Yeshua the Messiah and NEWBORN KING but rather that he wanted the Magi to return to him and tell him where he could find Yeshua in order to kill Him.

And we further read in Matthew 2:9-11 “After they had listened to the king, they went away; and the STAR which they had seen in the EAST went in front of them until it came and stopped over the place where the CHILD was. When they saw the STAR, they were OVERJOYED. Upon entering the HOUSE (please note a house, not the stable where Yeshua was initially born), they saw the CHILD with His mother MIRYAM (the Hebrew name of which the Greek is MARY); and they prostrated themselves and worshipped Him (involving a physical act of submission and worship that involves lying face down or bowing low with one’s face touching the ground). Then they opened their bags and presented Him GIFTS, GOLD, FRANKINSENCE and MYRRH.”

The AFRIKAANS BIBLE in PRACTISE explains: The Magi gave to Yeshua expensive GIFTS because He is the FURUTE KING. GOLD was a GIFT given to KINGS, INSENCE a DIVINE GIFT and MYRRH for anointing or embalming the body of a KING when he passes away.

We also know from BIBLICAL PROPHECY that one DAY WITH THE RETURN OF YESHUA OUR MESSIAH to REIGN as KING DURING THE THOUSAND YEARS of PEACE EVERY KNEE will bow before Him and every tongue will confess Him (read the prophecy in Isaiah 45:23 as well as Philippians 2:10-11, Romans 14:11 and Revelation 1:7 and 5:13) and ALL nations will bring Him GIFTS and BOW before HIM (read Isaiah 60, please notice ONLY GIFTS of GOLD and FRANCINSENSE, NO MYRRH) and in ETERNITY ALL KINGS and ALL NATIONS will walk in the LIGHT of ABBA FATHER and the LAM, YESHUA THE MESSIAH (Revelation 21:22-26 and Psalm 72).

GOLD was symbolic of KINGSHIP. We also know that all the furniture inside the TABERNACLE were overlaid with GOLD (Exodus 25 and Hebrews 9:4) and later the walls of the HOLY PLACE and HOLLIEST PLACE of the TEMPLE were also covered in GOLD (re 1 Kings 6:21-38 and 2 Chronicles 3:8)

KING – the NELSON’s BIBLE DICTONARY explains: A KING is a head of a KINGDOM. The heathen had kings ruling over them but Israel was intended to be under the rulership of GOD HIMSELF. The ISRAELITES however in the time of the JUDGES wanted to be more like the NATIONS and they demanded a MONARCHY to be established. The KINGS of ISRAEL came to the THRONE in SEVERAL WAYS, both SAUL and DAVID were anointed by Samuel, acting under the DIRECTION of GOD (read 1 Samuel 10:1 and 16:1 and 13). After the first kings were set up, many generations of kings came to the throne by INHERITANCE. In the NOTHERN KINGDOM (the Ten TRIBES under Ephraim), the dynasties (ruling families) were often interrupted by usurpation (taking control of a position of power without having the right to) Read 1 Kings 15:27-28. And during the days of BABYLONIAN DOMINATION, the KING was chosen by Babylon (2 Kings 24:17).

We know the ULTIMATE KING is GOD the FATHER (read Psalm 10:16 and 1 Corinthians 15:28) and YESHUA the MESSIAH, the SON of GOD the FATHER will rule as KING of kings, and Master of masters until He subjected all the enemies of God of which DEATH is the LAST ENEMY and then He will hand the KINGDOM to GOD the FATHER (Read Revelation 19:16, Revelation chapters 20 to 22 and 1 Corinthians 15: 23-28).

The Nelson’s Bible Dictionary explains: THE KINGDOM OF GOD refers to GOD’s RULE of GRACE in the world, a period foretold by the PROPHETS of the OLD TESTAMENT and identified by Yeshua as BEGINNING with HIS MINSITRY (Matthew 3:2 & 4:17). A conquered and downtrodden ISRAEL looked forward to THE DAY when GOD, THE KING, would display His power and establish HIS KINGDOM of PEACE and RIGHTEOUSNESS (Zechariah 9:9 and Isaiah 24:23). His DELIVERANCE was often associated with the COMING of a DAVIDIC KING (Isaiah 9:7). In many striking ways, Yeshua proclaimed that HE WAS THE FULFILLMENT of the Old Testaments’ expectations of God’s DELIVERANCE (Luke 4:17-21). Yeshua also declared that a DAY was coming when the KINGOM of GOD will be manifested in a DIFFERENT WAY, not yet seen, and that ITS COMING WILL BE SOON (Matthew 16:28). Although the GOSPELS focus on the PRESENT ASPECT of THE KINGDOM, it is also clear that THE KINGDOM will be realized PERFECTLY only at THE SECOND COMING of THE MESSIAH. In its SPIRITUAL NATURE, the KINGDOM of GOD is the SALVATION of HIS PEOPLE, and THE KINGDOM is HIS GIFT. It is also a GIFT of FORGIVENESS of SIN. Those who are FORGIVEN must also FORGIVE OTHERS (Mathew 18:35). Participation in the NEW REALITY of the KINGDOM involves the FOLLOWER of YESHUA in a CALL to the HIGHEST RIGHTEOUSNESS (Matthew 5:20).

FRANKINSENCE – is a fragrant GUM or RESIN obtained from the Boswellia tree. We read in Exodus 30:34-38 that God instructed Moses to mix FRANCINSENSE with other spices to create an aromatic incense for the TABERNACLE. Frankincense was therefore an OFERING TO GOD burnt on the INCENSE ALTAR in front of the ARK of the COVENANT (Leviticus 2:2 & 6:15) symbolizing PRAYER – read Psalm 141:2, Luke 1:10 & Revelation 5:8 & 8:3.

So by bringing this GIFT to YESHUA, the Magi affirmed Yeshua was no ordinary man, He was BOTH fully MAN and FULLY GOD.

It was the PRIESTS tasked to burn INCENSE on the INCENSE ALTAR in the TEMPLE, likewise YESHUA our MESSIAH is a PRIEST in the order of MELCHIZEDEK, interceding for believers with PRAYER (read Psalm 110:4, Hebrews 7:15-17 and Romans 8:34). Melchizedek means KING OF RIGHTEOUSNESS. In Genesis 14:18 we read of the KING-PRIEST of Salem (referring to JERUSALEM). His genealogy is not recorded, when he appears in Genesis it is without the usual “son of” added to let people know his background. He simply appears in the story, obviously an important character, but with no credentials. He is described as being without parents in Hebrews 7:1-3. When he met Abraham, he REFRESHED him with BREAD and WINE, received TITHES from him, and BLESSED him (Genesis 14:17-20).

MYRRH – is an aromatic gum resin of brownish color obtained from certain trees of Arabia and East Africa. It was used to perfume beds and clothing according to Psalm 45:8 and Song of Songs 3:6. The ANNOINTING OIL of the PRIESTS contained MYRRH (Exodus 30:23). Mixed with wine it was given to Yeshua when He was on the cross (Mark 15:23) but He refused it but later it was used to ANNOINT His body for burial (John 19:39).

Yeshua is also described as a PROPHET in Deuteronomy 18:15-20, Johannes 1:21 & 25, Matthew 13:57, 21:11 and Luke 7:16 and 13:33 and many more. A prophet was seen as a divinely inspired minister of YHVH, originally called a seer in 1 Samuel 9:9. Abraham, Aaron and others were considered prophets, but it was not until Samuel that prophecy came into its own. In the period from Samuel to Elisha the so-called SCHOOLS OF PROPHETS were established in important commercial centers. Until the PERIOD of THE EXILE the PROPHETS were ADVISORS TO THE KINGS. In this capacity they never hesitated to administer a DESERVED REBUKE to the monarch. In their writings the PROPHETS consistently ATTACKED UNRIGHTEOUSNESS, SELF-INDULGENCES and GREED. They stood for monotheism (the belief that there is only ONE GOD) and sometimes they predicted future events. PROPHECY reached its PEAK with the MESSIANIC PROPHECIES. Prophets and prophecy are mentioned in the NEW TESTAMENT as REDEMPTIVE GIFTS. There is also women named in the Bible serving as PROPHETS such as Miriam, the sister of Moses (Exodus 15:20-21, Numbers 12:2 and Micah 6:4). Deborah Judges 4:4-14, Huldah (2 Kings 22:14-20) and the daughters of Phillip the Evangelist in Acts 21:8-9.

And in Matthew 2:12 we further read: “But they had been warned in a DREAM not to return to Herod, so they took another route back to their country.”

DREAM – a series of images, thoughts and emotions occurring during sleep. Throughout the Bible significance is attached to dreams (like in Genesis 37:6-9, Judges 7:13, Daniel 2:28 & 7:1 as well as Matthew 1:20 and 2:12-19). They were regarded as genuine communications from God (read Job 33:14-17 and Jeremiah 23:28). There are however WARNINGS against FALSE dreamers and their LYING DREAMS in Jeremiah 23:25 & 32 as well as Zechariah 10:2. It is also important to REMEMBER the interpretation of DREAMS belongs to God (Genesis 40:8). In New Testament times God often used DREAMS (when a person is ASLEEP) and VISIONS (when a person is AWAKE) to make HIS WILL KNOWN. The apostle John, exiled on the Island of Patmos, received a series of SEVEN VISIONS from GOD, which he faithfully recorded for FUTURE GENERATIONS in the BOOK of REVELATION. Dreams and visions were also prominently associated with THE BIRTH OF YESHUA and the CONVERSION and MINSITRY of the apostle Paul.