Have you noticed how many myths there are about the Magi?
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They always say the "three" wise men. No where in the Bible does it say there were only three of them. In fact, historical accounts of the Magi, show they usually traveled in groups of a dozen or more, and always brought a detachment of at least a 100 of their best soldiers, known to be the fiercest in the mid-east.
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One of our songs even says "We Three Kings". The Magi were not Kings, but you may say they were "King Makers". The tribe of Magi, were traditionally called upon to conduct the Coronation Ceremony of a new King in most of the mid-east Countries at the time of Christ's birth.
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The most probable reason for the "three" wise men myth, is they bore three types of gifts: Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh. Now contrary to the myth, these were not "Happy Birthday Gifts", these were the traditional Homage gifts that were brought to every new King."
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Nearly every modern day picture of the wise men, shows them riding camels. Yet another myth, because no where in the Bible does it say they rode camels. In fact, historians tell us that one of the major sources of income for the tribe of Magi, was from the sale of Arabian horses to kingdoms for use a war horses. Now why would a tribe that are big time horse traders, ride camels?
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Our cute Christmas cards picture the Magi at the manger with the Shepherds, yet another myth. Mt. 2:11, makes it clear that by the time the Magi arrived in Bethlehem, Mary and Joseph were living in a house. Most likely Joseph being a carpenter, built the house, after moving to Bethlehem some time after the birth of Jesus. Why would he move there, two reasons? One,he noticed that there was a shortage of housing, which means lots of work for a carpenter. Two,the Romans could call for another census any time they wanted, so why pack up and travel back to Bethlehem every time the Romans called for a new census.
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While the account in the Bible does not put the Magi at the manger, many still think they arrived shortly after the birth. Again Mt 2:11, refers to Him as "young child", not baby. Also in Mt. 2:7, we see Herod asking how long ago they first saw the Star. Then after the Magi tell him and head to Bethlehem, Herod orders his palace guard to go kill every male child two years old and under. That is a clear indication that the Magi told him that they had first saw the star, two years ago. Why did it take them so long to get from northeastern Iraq to Jerusalem? They had to travel from village to village throughout their territory, collecting the Homage for the new king.
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Many people believe that the Magi, because they studied the astrology of their day; "read it in the stars" and thereby knew of the birth of Jesus. Yet another myth. Do you remember the story of Daniel explaining Nebuchadnezzar's dream? What was Daniel's reward for doing what the wise men (Magi) could not? Nebuchadnezzar made Daniel "chief" over all the wise men, Dan. 2:48. Now you know Daniel was not about to teach them astrology, instead Daniel would have been teaching them prophecy, including the prophecies of the Messiah. The Magi remembered and taught what Daniel had taught them, from generation to generation; while Israel forgot.
While most people, cannot understand why Herod over-reacted so much. We need only to look at the scene Herod saw as the Magi rode up. Suddenly outside the palace is the noise of over a hundred horses. When Herod looks out, "Oh NO!" it is the Magi, and at least a hundred of their elite guard, to protect the Homage. The magi are looking for the new King, which makes Herod the old King. "They have the Homage with them, and they are prepared to remove me, and crown Him!" Herod only has his palace guard, as Israel was at war at that time and the army is no where near Jerusalem. The palace guard is no match for a detachment of Magi warriors. "What do I do, what do I do?", runs through Herod's mind. Then he schemes to pretend to want to come worship the new King too, so that the Magi will tell him what they know about the new King. Now we can see it as it was. Herod out of fear of being replaced, orders his palace guard to kill all two year old and below males in and around Bethlehem.
As Paul Harvey would have said on his radio program of the past,
"And Now, you know the rest of the Story."While most people, cannot understand why Herod over-reacted so much. We need only to look at the scene Herod saw as the Magi rode up. Suddenly outside the palace is the noise of over a hundred horses. When Herod looks out, "Oh NO!" it is the Magi, and at least a hundred of their elite guard, to protect the Homage. The magi are looking for the new King, which makes Herod the old King. "They have the Homage with them, and they are prepared to remove me, and crown Him!" Herod only has his palace guard, as Israel was at war at that time and the army is no where near Jerusalem. The palace guard is no match for a detachment of Magi warriors. "What do I do, what do I do?", runs through Herod's mind. Then he schemes to pretend to want to come worship the new King too, so that the Magi will tell him what they know about the new King. Now we can see it as it was. Herod out of fear of being replaced, orders his palace guard to kill all two year old and below males in and around Bethlehem.
As Paul Harvey would have said on his radio program of the past,
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