House Church Talk - Re: Baptisms and Administrations: Star of Bethlehem

[Ross J Purdy]

Blessed Resurrection Sunday Everyone! I am home this AM just off a 12 hour
work night and will spend 12 hours alone while the rest of my family
celebrates together and then I will begin another 12 hour work night. Have
to do my weekend rotation once in a while. Really, that is the best I can do
to find anything to complain about. Praise God for His many wonderful
blessings since I am able to rest in Christ Jesus' redemptive work.

In order to keep it short, I will just answer Bruce on the Star question and
send the rest tomorrow.

Bruce wrote:
> Dear Ross,
>
> In spite of all the historical data you've given about the POSSIBILITIES
of
> contact between the magi and Jews in countries to the east, there is
nothing
> mentioned in the record of Mat thew 2 that suggests that any revelation
they
> had received prior to their journey was received FROM JEWS!!!  This is
what
> I've been maintaining, i.e. that God never restricted Himself to revealing
> Himself ONLY THROUGH ISRAELITES!

Possibilities to one are probabilities to another! The text of Mat 2 does in
fact indicate that the info originated with the Jews. The immediate reaction
of Herod and his court to search the OT prophets for further information
about the promised child-king indicates beyond a shadow of a doubt that it
was from that source that the Magi had derived their information.

Ephesians 2:11-12 WEB

(11) Therefore remember that once you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are
called "uncircumcision" by that which is called "circumcision," (in the
flesh, made by hands);

(12) that you were at that time separate from Christ, alienated from the
commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of the promise,
having no hope and without God in the world.

The above seems to plainly say that if you were not a part of the covenant
with Israel, you were indeed apart from God. It seems that the very words of
scripture are in direct contradiction to your assertion.

>
> Do you know anything in the old testament scriptures that would have
> indicated that a special star was an indication of the coming of a Jewish
> king who was to be worshipped?? If there is such information which Jewish
> people could have shown the magi, you might have a case. But if not, must
> you not concede that God had revealed this to the magi apart from contact
> with Israelites?

Numbers 24:17 WEB

(17) I see him, but not now; I see him, but not near: There shall come forth
a star out of Jacob, A scepter shall rise out of Israel, Shall strike
through the corners of Moab, Break down all the sons of tumult.

Two standard symbols in the ancient Near East:

a Star: (divinity)

Luke 1:78 WEB

(78) Because of the tender mercy of our God, Whereby the dawn from on high
will visit us,

2 Peter 1:19 WEB

(19) We have the more sure word of prophecy; whereunto you do well that you
take heed, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns, and
the day star arises in your hearts:

Revelation 22:16 WEB

(16) I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify these things to you for the
assemblies. I am the root and the offspring of David; the Bright and Morning
Star."

a Sceptre: (Ruler/King)

Genesis 49:10 WEB

(10) The scepter will not depart from Judah, Nor the ruler's staff from
between his feet, Until he comes to whom it belongs. To him will the
obedience of the peoples be.



cf. Isaiah 60:1-3 WEB

(1) Arise, shine; for your light is come, and the glory of Yahweh is risen
on you.

(2) For, behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the
peoples; but Yahweh will arise on you, and his glory shall be seen on you.

(3) Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your
rising.

In Christ,

Ross Purdy