24 Oct Christmas and Astrology
Does the story of the Wise Men in the Matthew’s gospel, validate the idea that astrology is ok?
It seems for some people they think it does, but reading the Bible story a bit closer helps us see it otherwise.
The ‘Magi’ of Matthew 2:1 were wise men, similar type of people as in Daniel 2:1-4. They were people who were definitely into astrology. However the distinction between astronomy and astrology wasn’t so clear at the time, that is a more modern distinction.
These were people who believed that God/or the gods did lead and guide, and were looking to the stars both in a scientific way, AND as a guidance for life. Somehow in that process they discerned (God planned it) that a true king of the Jews was born. They came to understand that they could find this king, and began a journey with the ‘guidance’ of the star. The star didn’t physically guide them, but they discerned, thus they were guided in their thinking. And this explains why once they got to Jerusalem they had to ask for directions.
Once the wise men had come to Jerusalem, at that point they had to ask for directions, and were told to “search for the child” in Bethlehem. Matthew 2:8 The idea of a star that hovered in front of them, and guided them as a human would guide isn’t the sense of the text. Ultimately as they went to Bethlehem (knowing where to go) the star went ahead of them, and they were overjoyed to see it there. This makes sense because going from Jerusalem to Bethlehem, they once again turned to head East, and that was the direction the star has risen from. With the advice in Jerusalem, and then seeing the star again it confirmed to them that they were in the right place… and it made them happy.
To get focused on the astrology side is to miss what God was doing. It’s a remarkable story of how God can speak even to people who didn’t know who God was to begin with.
This is why this story is the highlight in traditional churches each year for Epiphany. It is a key illustration about the gospel going to the Gentiles – those that were not initially chosen, but to whom the King of Israel, the Lord himself, was revealed. The Lord wants to be found by all people, and if we had to be perfect to find him, nobody would find him. But that astrologers found the Lord because He revealed himself, then it is a story about God’s grace and mercy, and not a validation of astrology.
Featured Photo by Troy Olson: https://www.pexels.com/photo/starry-night-sky-reflecting-in-a-lake-25953503/
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