VERSES 1-6 - Verse 1 describes the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem in the time of Herod the King. Bethlehem means "house of bread." Isn't it wonderful that the bread of life was born in a town with such a name? Herod was king at that time where Judea was a part of the Roman Empire. He was also known as Herod the Great, the oldest son of Antepater. Herod was ruthless in his fighting abilities. Herod was a violent king and killed all infants that could inherit the throne. He also killed his wife Mariamne and two of his sons. His family members were in a constant fight for his throne. This is the environment that Jesus was born into. Herod was a king that would have to give way to the KING OF KINGS. Jesus was the opposite of the warlike Herod.

Verse 1 state that wise men came from the east. Notice it does not mention the number of the wise men. We don’t know, it could have been 3 5, 10, 20. They did give three gifts, gold, frankincense and myrrh. The original word for wise men came from the Greek word magoi. This is where we get our word magician. They were actually philosophers, priests, or astronomers.

Verse 2 has the wise men asking "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." During this time there was an expectation of some wonderful person that was about to appear in Judea. The Jews were actually looking for this person because they had computed the time mentioned in Daniel 9:25-27. The Jews knew that this was the approaching time for the coming Messiah. They expected a prince, but what they got was the King of Kings. This expectation would probably have spread to other cultures because the Jewish people had lived in Egypt, Rome, and Greece, and had gone to eastern countries (carrying the Scriptures with them). Just like the Jews expected His coming in this verse, we need to be expecting His second coming. We need to prepare the way in our hearts for His coming. We need to get it right. We need to get our family members and others saved in this last our. We need to go out every day expecting his soon return.

The Star (or comet) was looked at as something special by people in ancient times. The wise men saw the star and it was enough evidence for them that the Prince was born. They came to worship Him. They traveled a long distance to worship Him. We sometimes can’t even get up and go into the next room to worship Him. We need to get back to “the heart of worship” where it’s all about Jesus.

Verse 3 says that when Herod heard these things he was greatly troubled. But not only was Herod troubled, it says all Jerusalem was troubled with him. Isn’t that interesting? The word troubled means the throw into confusion, to unsettle. Herod was disturbed. This is not a surprise. He was paranoid about his power. But the question is why all Jerusalem was troubled. These were probably Herod's friends and supporters who were scared that a new kingdom was coming.

Verse 4 and 5 and 6 - Herod gathers all the chief priests and scribes together and ask them where Christ is to be born. Herod doesn't go to everyday citizens; he goes to the leaders and scholars of that day. This is proof that the Jewish people were keeping track of time. They told him right away, in Bethlehem of Judea: for thus it is written by the Prophet. They then go on to tell Herod what the Prophet actually said (Micah 5:2 - that out of Bethlehem would come a ruler of Israel). This prophecy was given seven centuries earlier (King James Version Study Bible). Isn't that something, seven centuries earlier Micah predicted this. This happens time after time in the Bible. We need to pay attention to God’s prophets.

Verses 7-18 - In verse 7, Herod calls the wise men privately to ask them what time the star appeared. The verse actually says that he inquired of them diligently. This word means that he inquired carefully and accurately. He really wanted to get it right. OF course, then Herod lies in verse 8 by telling the wise men that he wants them to go and search diligently (again accurately and carefully) for the young child so that he could worship him. Look at this truth coming out of the mouth of a liar, church. Remember Pastor Oliver's warning about that. Herod is telling the truth that he wants them to find Jesus, but he is lying about the reason.

Verse 8 and 9 has the wise men leave Herod and the star leads them to Jesus. It stands over where the young child was. The wise men were "astrologers of their day" but this does not necessarily mean that they worshipped or followed the stars like the followers of Jean Dixon or Psychic Hotlines today. Those things are not of God and we need to stay away from that. Remember, God hates witchcraft, divination, and any form of anything supernatural that is not from Him. I especially like what one of you wrote on the fact that Satan is like Herod, trying to deceive Christians. She said the wise men represent people that are leading us to Christ. She further says we must praise and worship our savior, be willing lie prostrate before the Lord which is a sign of humbling and great respect. We must be willing to follow the Holy Spirit. Very well said.

One member said that she would like to shake the wise men's hands (ME TOO). She mentions the wise men had free will, but they chose to seek Jesus. Stacy talks about the obedience of the wise men, Mary, and Joseph that was necessary to carry out God's plan for the birth and protection of Jesus. Could not have said it better myself.

Verse 10 says that when the wise men saw the star they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. Verse 11 says when they came into the house and saw the young child, they fell down, worshipped Him and present unto him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. It was customary to bring royalty gifts in that day. Notice the first thing they do is worship Him. Oh, beloved, how I wish we could get that. We need to worship Him first before we do anything else. We need to rejoice at His presence. Just rejoice that He is here for us and came just for us. We need to worship Him in Spirit and truth. The three gifts have significance. Gold of course is a valuable metal even today. As Stacy put it, it is fit for a king. Frankincense is a resin or gum from Arabia. It was used in worship and very fragrant. One member says it is a symbol of priestship or prayer giving us access to God through Jesus Christ. Right on, Brenda. Myrrh was obtained from an Arabian tree like frankincense and means bitter. Its main use was for embalming the dead. Look at this, the wise men bring "embalming fluid" for a baby gift because this special baby was BORN TO DIE. One of you pointed out that this is the same myrrh which Nicodemus brought to anoint the body of Jesus after He died. That’s right and it is the same myrrh that was mixed with wine that the Romans tried to give Jesus to drink on the cross, but He did not receive it (Mark 15:23). Another member points out that myrrh is symbolic of death and suffering (dying to sin and the old life in Jesus). I love the way you all let the Holy Spirit use you in this Bible Study!

Verse 12 says the wise men were warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod. They went back home another way. I love how God uses dreams and visions. We would be wise to pay attention to the dreams and visions that God sends our way. This continues in verses 13-15 where God warns Joseph in a dream to run to Egypt because Herod would try to kill Jesus.

Verses 16-18 speak of the wrath of Herod in killing all the children from 2 years old and under as prophesied by Jeremiah that there would be great lamentation and weeping for the children.

Verses 19-23 - Verse 19 speaks of the death of Herod. Now we have an angel speaking to Joseph in yet another dream. This angel says in verse 20 that Joseph is to take the young child and his mother and go to Israel because those that sought to kill him were now dead. This tells me that we must pay attention and wait on God's timing. Sometimes we get ahead of God, sometimes we are too far behind Him. God's timing in accomplishing things is always best. He knows the end from the beginning for our lives. Joseph obeyed God, but in verse 22 he found out that Herod’s son was on the throne. He was warned of God in another dream to go to parts of Galilee. Look at how God is leading Joseph. I love this. We can learn from this. We should not move a half of an inch without knowing that God is leading us. In verse 23 the Bible says that he dwelt at Nazareth which is a fulfillment of the prophecy, He shall be called a Nazarene. Nazareth is a small town in Galilee, west of Capernaum and close to Cana. In John 1:46 it is described as a place of wickedness (Nathaniel asked the question "Can anything good come out of Nazareth.") We can say that about many places. Can anything good come out of Caroline? You better believe it. You all are good. Beth-El is good. We are out of Caroline. We are right where we are supposed to be. See, Jesus did not just go to the places where people already had it together. He was in a placed that was wicked. I believe He knew that he could effect change in satan's kingdom wherever he went. That is our philosophy at Beth-El. We wanted the saved and the sinner. We want the Priest and the Prostitute. We want the armour bearer and the addict. We want the sick and the well. We were placed here for this purpose.

Bob shared about another individual in the book that had a dream. He talks about the Apostle Peter in Acts 10:10-17. One brother mentioned that he felt that these Scriptures teach us that when God gives us something to do we should "receive it, act on it, and be obedient without questioning the Lord our God." AMEN, BROTHER!