by Curtis Dean
Jesus speaks, but do I listen, Do I listen to His voice?
If I listen do I grasp it? Do I make His will my choice?
When He calls me, will I follow, Follow Him where He demands?
Would I go across the mountains, or the dangerous, desert sands?
Yes, He calls me to be faithful, this I really know for sure;
Am I willing, Lord, to do it and not yield to worldly lure?
Jesus calls me, but not me only, He wants you to join the trip;
And as we walk along life’s journey, we’ll help each other not to slip.
The wise men followed ever onward with the guidance of a star;
May we follow with faith believing, though the journey seems so far.
Have we looked with anticipation to the time when we shall see,
See the King in all His glory, in that land beyond the sea?
It is more than just the city, that we’re traveling there to see,
For we want to meet the Savior, He’s the One Who set us free;
Free to live a life that’s faithful as He gently leads us on,
Knowing that in days of struggle, He can still give us a song.
Yes, we hear, and yes, we listen, Listen as the years roll by;
Knowing that the day is coming when we’ll meet Him in the sky!
That’s our hope, our consolation, as the years pass one by one;
Knowing someday, by His mercy, we’ll hear Him say, “My child, well done!”
© by Curtis Dean, 11/18/2011
(Note: This poem was not planned. I sensed the words “Do I Listen” and felt the urge to start writing.)
Thursday, December 15, 2011
WHO WERE THE WISE MEN & FROM WHERE DID THEY COME?
By Curtis Dean
These are questions that have been debated for centuries! I don’t know where the wise men came from, although some possibilities are known. However, I do know “who” they were, and will try to explain. It all revolves around the prophecy given by Balaam of Moab. He was the puzzling character who knew about God, prayed to Him, and even knew His voice, and whose story occupies three Bible chapters: Numbers 22 to 24. Balak, the king of Moab wanted Balaam to curse Israel, but each time Balaam tried, the Lord spoke through him and blessed Israel, but Balaam loved “the wages of unrighteousness”. (2 Peter 2:15). In Numbers 24:17 this prophecy is in the blessings that Balaam pronounced:
“I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall
come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel…” (1)
FROM WHERE DID THE WISE MEN COME? One author even suggested that maybe from as far away as China.(2) Now that seems a little far-fetched although there is a near-by Biblical reference. (Later please, be patient!) More likely possibilities:
MOAB (NOW PART OF JORDON): The story of Balaam was undoubtedly passed down through the generations. He was famous and was even offered fortunes for his prophecies. People believed him, too, because when he later told King Balak how to bring God’s judgment on the Israelites, they did exactly as he said: “play the harlot” with them and God slew thousands of Israelites. (Num. ch 25.) The Lord Himself explains it:
“But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.” Rev. 2:14.
BABYLON (NOW IRAQ): During the Babylonian captivity, the Jews were usually allowed to practice their beliefs except, of course, without the temple. Some became very prominent in the country, such as Daniel, Mordecai, and King Jehoiachin who became the last ruling Jewish king until the Messiah comes. (2 Kings 25:27-30) The Jews certainly believed in God’s promise, spoken through Balaam, and made it known.
FROM INDIA TO ETHIOPIA (and all points in between)! Under the Assyrian captivity, Jews were scattered over all the then known world including India, a neighbor of China! When Esther persuaded King Ahasuerus to permit the Jews to protect themselves, messengers were sent all the way to India to the east, and Ethiopia to the west. A total of 127 provinces! (Esther 8:9) In Ethiopia there has been a large population who accepted Jewish beliefs and tradition. According to them, the Queen of Sheba spread the message. Incidentally, on May 24, 1991, 14,325 of them were airlifted from Ethiopia to Israel in “Operation Solomon”! (3) Of one thing we can be certain, the Jews recounted the prophecy and astronomers heard it. So, where were the wise men from? Take your choice!
WHO WERE THE WISE MEN? That part is easier to describe:
They were men who had heard the Word. How much they heard the Word of God, we know not, but this is certain: they either read the prophecy or heard it. That we know!
They were men who believed the Word. Hearing is one thing; believing is another. They were waiting and watching for that heavenly sign.
They were men who understood what it meant, and they took action. It’s possible to “believe” but never get around to doing anything about it. These men did! They knew not where the star would lead them, but they knew the significance. The priests in Jerusalem should have, but no, it was these strangers who understood.
They were men who followed God’s direction and listened to His voice. When warned by God to return home another way, they obeyed.
Oh, excuse me! You were expecting their actual names. Sorry, but I can’t do any better than the traditional: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar. (4) But still I know who these men are!
--------------------------
1. Scriptures are from the King James Bible.
2. I’ve read too many books and magazines to remember who said it!
3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Solomon; and Prophecy Update, 6/9/2004.
4. http://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/the-fourfold-gospel/by-sections/eastern-wise-men-or-magi-visit-jesus-the-new-born-king.html. And: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Solomon (Both include other data, details, and theories.)
These are questions that have been debated for centuries! I don’t know where the wise men came from, although some possibilities are known. However, I do know “who” they were, and will try to explain. It all revolves around the prophecy given by Balaam of Moab. He was the puzzling character who knew about God, prayed to Him, and even knew His voice, and whose story occupies three Bible chapters: Numbers 22 to 24. Balak, the king of Moab wanted Balaam to curse Israel, but each time Balaam tried, the Lord spoke through him and blessed Israel, but Balaam loved “the wages of unrighteousness”. (2 Peter 2:15). In Numbers 24:17 this prophecy is in the blessings that Balaam pronounced:
“I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall
come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel…” (1)
FROM WHERE DID THE WISE MEN COME? One author even suggested that maybe from as far away as China.(2) Now that seems a little far-fetched although there is a near-by Biblical reference. (Later please, be patient!) More likely possibilities:
MOAB (NOW PART OF JORDON): The story of Balaam was undoubtedly passed down through the generations. He was famous and was even offered fortunes for his prophecies. People believed him, too, because when he later told King Balak how to bring God’s judgment on the Israelites, they did exactly as he said: “play the harlot” with them and God slew thousands of Israelites. (Num. ch 25.) The Lord Himself explains it:
“But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.” Rev. 2:14.
BABYLON (NOW IRAQ): During the Babylonian captivity, the Jews were usually allowed to practice their beliefs except, of course, without the temple. Some became very prominent in the country, such as Daniel, Mordecai, and King Jehoiachin who became the last ruling Jewish king until the Messiah comes. (2 Kings 25:27-30) The Jews certainly believed in God’s promise, spoken through Balaam, and made it known.
FROM INDIA TO ETHIOPIA (and all points in between)! Under the Assyrian captivity, Jews were scattered over all the then known world including India, a neighbor of China! When Esther persuaded King Ahasuerus to permit the Jews to protect themselves, messengers were sent all the way to India to the east, and Ethiopia to the west. A total of 127 provinces! (Esther 8:9) In Ethiopia there has been a large population who accepted Jewish beliefs and tradition. According to them, the Queen of Sheba spread the message. Incidentally, on May 24, 1991, 14,325 of them were airlifted from Ethiopia to Israel in “Operation Solomon”! (3) Of one thing we can be certain, the Jews recounted the prophecy and astronomers heard it. So, where were the wise men from? Take your choice!
WHO WERE THE WISE MEN? That part is easier to describe:
They were men who had heard the Word. How much they heard the Word of God, we know not, but this is certain: they either read the prophecy or heard it. That we know!
They were men who believed the Word. Hearing is one thing; believing is another. They were waiting and watching for that heavenly sign.
They were men who understood what it meant, and they took action. It’s possible to “believe” but never get around to doing anything about it. These men did! They knew not where the star would lead them, but they knew the significance. The priests in Jerusalem should have, but no, it was these strangers who understood.
They were men who followed God’s direction and listened to His voice. When warned by God to return home another way, they obeyed.
Oh, excuse me! You were expecting their actual names. Sorry, but I can’t do any better than the traditional: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar. (4) But still I know who these men are!
--------------------------
1. Scriptures are from the King James Bible.
2. I’ve read too many books and magazines to remember who said it!
3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Solomon; and Prophecy Update, 6/9/2004.
4. http://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/the-fourfold-gospel/by-sections/eastern-wise-men-or-magi-visit-jesus-the-new-born-king.html. And: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Solomon (Both include other data, details, and theories.)
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