Actions of the Wise: What the Magi have to teach us

18th in a series on how men and women in the Bible

deal with waiting, disappointment and unemployment

Actions of the Wise

What the Magi have to teach us

What makes a man wise?  Can we tell by what he says or doesn’t say?  A Proverb states, “Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.”

Those ‘Wise Men’ of two thousand years ago.  Were they?  Wise, I mean.  Or was that just another name for Eastern kings or Astrologers?  What can we learn from the first 18 verses of the 2nd chapter of the Gospel according to Matthew that could inform how we should face the workplace?  

We don’t know how many there were…we have assumed three because they brought three gifts, but our Gospel does not declare a number.  From historical records we know that they were men who studied the stars and tried to interpret the times according to the movement of the constellations.  This star that appeared in the east surprised them and beckoned them to follow its tail to a place to which it was pointing.

Upon getting close to its source they came to the capital of the once great Jewish nation - Jerusalem.  It made sense to inquire within about the star for surely they would have already been studying it.  Instead, they seemed to present new information, for Herod, the king and all Jerusalem, were disturbed when foreigners from the east came seeking the newborn king of the Jews.  Proud men and fearful people do not like to be told something that they should already know. 

Herod does his homework by asking the resident theologians about the birth of the Messiah and discovers that it will occur in Bethlehem, the city of David, a small town about 6 miles away.  He then concocts a lie by telling the Wise men to bring him news of this new king, so that he too may go and worship him.  Couldn’t he have traveled there himself?  

When the Magi do not report back, Herod, in a fit of rage orders that all baby boys two and under be murdered.  We should not be surprised considering that this is the same man who killed his two sons so that they would not be a threat to him.  One commentator states, “We cannot expect too little from man, nor too much from God.”  Later in Jesus’ adult life He demonstrates His own distrust in men when they try to forcibly make him king.  John 2:24,25 says, “But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people.  He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person.”

We wonder why God doesn’t intervene.  And why doesn’t he miraculously protect His own son?  Instead he tells Mary and Joseph to flee to Egypt.  For surely He could have called down an army of angels which were at His disposal.  33 years later Jesus tells Pilate, “Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?”

We don’t hear anymore about the Wise Men in any of recorded biblical history.  Was this an unprecedented event in their lives?  I believe they discovered the uniqueness of the good news that was proclaimed could not merely be added to their lives, but would now replace any preconceived beliefs about deity, life’s purpose and supernatural intervention.   I’m sure they never looked at the stars the same again.

How does their behavior in relation to Herod inform us as to how to handle evil and deceitful people?  Certainly, not giving them the benefit of the doubt.  Herod’s pride and the people’s fear were some of the primary reasons Jesus came in the first place.  If we surrender doubt and fear to God in worship, we will discover a new found freedom.

But what principles stand out and what questions remain unanswered?

1. What do you do when an employer lies or asks you to be deceitful?
2. When have you done the right thing but it seemed to still negatively affect others?
3. When is deception good?
4. How much do you tell your coworkers or others about a bad boss?  Is it gossip to warn others?
5. What do you do with suspicions?  Speak what you believe is the truth?  Keep your mouth shut?  
6. When the Wise Men asked about the King of the Jews, no one understood that Jesus came to usher in a heavenly kingdom.  What difference can introducing the kingdom of God in your workplace make?
7. Our opinion on a matter may be so out of line with the predominant opinion that no one will follow.  That doesn’t mean we are wrong.
8. Knowing that cruelty and violence will continue to happen as long as evil exists, how do we stay positive and seek to be an influence for good?

“But wisdom is proved right by all her children.”  Luke 7:35