THIRD QUARTER.

LESSON I.--JULY 3.

THE INFANT JESUS.--MATT. 2:1-12.

      GOLDEN TEXT.--Thou shalt call his name Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins.--MATT. 1:21.
      TIME.--About B. C. 4. (It is now conceded that the Savior was born about four years before the date assigned at the time our chronology was adopted.)
      PLACE.--Jerusalem and Bethlehem of Judah.
      RULERS.--Herod the Great, king of Judea; Augustus Cæsar, emperor of Rome.
      HELPFUL READINGS.--Matt. 1:18-25; Luke 2:1-21; John 1:1-5.
      LESSON ANALYSIS.--I. The Wise Men and the King; 2. The Priests and Rulers in Council; 3. The Visit to Bethlehem.

INTRODUCTION.

      Our lessons now come to the central fact in the history of the world. The fulness of time had come. The mighty wars and commotions which had tracked the earth with blood for thousands of years had been temporarily suspended. The temple of Janus in Rome, only shut in time of peace, had its doors closed. After long contests, extending through more than seven hundred years, Rome had become the mistress of the nations. The Roman empire held sway over nearly all the known world. Greece was subject to Rome politically, but ruled still intellectually, the school of literature and art. She was crowded with temples and statues, and her schools of philosophy and rhetoric were flourishing. This was a time of remarkable intellectual activity. Horace and Virgil had died but a few years before. Diodorus Siculus, the Greek historian, Strabo, the Greek geographer (B. C. 54--A. D. 24), Ovid (B. C. 43--A. D. 18), Livy (B. C. 59--A. D. 17), and Seneca, who died A. D. 65, were living during the life of Christ. Though there was intellectual activity, political might and civic splendor, there was utter moral degradation. Herod the Great, a usurper who held his place by the Roman favor, was a bloody tyrant, and under his heavy burdens the faithful ones in Judea were eagerly looking for the deliverer who was the hope of Israel.

      The brief narrative of the visit of the Magi, recorded in the second chapter of Matthew, is of the deepest interest in the history of Christianity. It is, in the first place, the Manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles. It brings the facts of the Gospel history into close connection with Jewish belief, with ancient prophecy, with secular history, and with modern science; and in so doing it furnishes us with new confirmations of our faith, derived incidentally, and therefore in the most unsuspicious manner, from undisputed and unsuspected quarters.--Farrar. [184]

      I. TE WISE MEN AND THE KING-1. When Jesus was born. Though the home of Joseph and Mary was at Nazareth, the sure word of prophecy had declared that Christ should be born at Bethlehem, the native place of his royal father David; and this was accomplished by the agency of the Roman emperor. A decree was issued by Augustus for a census of "all the world" over which his power extended, that is, the Roman empire and its subject kingdoms. The connection of Judea with the province of Syria, first established by Pompey, was not regarded as utterly dissolved by Herod's elevation to the throne; nor was the dying prince, for such was Herod's condition at this time, likely to contest the authority under whose shelter his reign had flourished, even though the census might betray the intention of absorbing his kingdom into the empire. The sacred pride of the Jews In their genealogies would lead them to hasten to the head cities of their tribes and families; thus Mary, though about to become a mother, traversed with her husband the length of the land, from Nazareth to Bethlehem, the royal city of David, to whose house they both belonged. In Bethlehem of Judea. Bethlehem was one of the oldest places in the land of Judea, and had been in existence at least 1500 years before the Savior was born. It was the scene of the events so touchingly related in the Book of Ruth. It was here that the good Boaz abode; and here the foreign damsel (destined to become the foremother of David and of Jesus), gleaned his field. Still earlier, it was here that the beloved wife for whom Jacob had served fourteen years was taken away from him. It was known as the City of David, because it was the birthplace of the greatest of the kings of Israel. The little town has an imposing aspect and commanding site. It stands on the summit of a narrow ridge, which projects eastward from the central mountain chain of Judah, and breaks down abruptly into deep valleys on the north, east and south. The steep slopes beneath the village are carefully terraced, and the terraces--clothed with olives, vines and fig-trees--sweep in graceful curves round the ridge, regular as stairs. Below these slopes, in the bottom of the valleys, are fields whose fertility gave the place its name, "House of Bread." It is about six miles south of Jerusalem, on the road toward Hebron. It contains at the present time about four thousand inhabitants, chiefly Christians of the Greek Church, who obtain much of their sustenance from the sale of relics to pilgrims and visitors. In the days of Herod the king. This statement gives data for ascertaining the time of the birth of Jesus. It has been generally conceded, for reasons that our space excludes, that it took place in the last year of Herod's reign. But it is known that Herod died about three years before the first year of our era. Therefore, if the Savior was born "in the days of king Herod," he must have been born [185]

BETHLEHEM. [186]

about four years earlier than the date assigned. The error is due to the mistake of Dionysius Exiguus in the sixth century, whose reckoning was blindly followed. Herod is called the king to distinguish him from the other Herods, his descendants, who were mostly tetrarchs. He was only partly of Jewish blood, was a man of most bloody and unscrupulous character, a great tyrant, the murderer of even his own wife and sons. There came wise men from the east. The word rendered "wise men" is more correctly Magi, a term which designates an order of priests and philosophers, which belonged originally to Persia and Media, and who were extensively distributed over the region east and west of the Euphrates. Those described in the book of Daniel as wise men, astrologers and magicians, belonged to this order. We can only conjecture where these "wise men" came from, but the probability is that they journeyed from the valley of the Euphrates.

      2. Where is he that is born King of the Jews? Their question shows two things. 1. That they partook of the general expectation that about this time there would appear in the East a Ruler divinely appointed to his mission. The works of profane writers of this period show that this expectation was by no means confined to the Jews. It is mentioned by Virgil, Suetonius, Tacitus, and other writers. It is even related by the Chinese that Confucius predicted the coming of the teacher of mankind about this time, and that within about a generation of the time of Christ's birth they sent a deputation as far west as India to try to find him. There they heard of Buddha, and concluded that it must have been he of whom their sage had spoken. 2. It is plain that the wise men misapprehended the mission of Christ, and expected him to be a secular king, who would revive all the ancient glories of the Jewish kingdom. The conception of a spiritual reign had to be taught to the world by example before it could be comprehended. We have seen his star in the east. No certain conclusion can be reached as to what this appearance in the heavens was which had such an effect on the wise men, and it is useless to enter into the discussions. Whether it was a conjunction of planets, a comet, a meteor, or some other sign, it was understood by them is signifying the birth of the promised King. Their knowledge of the coming King, their location of Judea as the place of his birth, and their choosing the right time to see the Divine Babe, all taken together, can hardly be accounted for otherwise than by conceding that they were of the number of Gentiles to whom was granted a revelation. It seemed a part of God's plan that Gentiles as well as Jews should offer homage to the infant King.

      3. Herod . . . he was troubled. The trouble of Herod is easily accounted [187] for. He was a usurper, not of the royal line, hated by the Jewish nation, near the close of his reign and anxious to continue the royal title in his own dynasty. This news seemed to portend a legitimate king, a rival for the throne, around whom the Jewish nation would rally. All Jerusalem with him. The capital was in commotion. It was the seat of Herod's power, and his staunchest supporters were there. Those who did not favor him foresaw a conflict that would desolate the land.

      II. THE PRIESTS AND RULERS IN COUNCIL.--4. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes together. Literally, "high priests." The high priests and perhaps the heads of the twenty-four courses of priests are included. If there were any ex-high priests, as occurred frequently under the Roman rule, they would be embraced. The "scribes of the people" were the successors of Ezra, the official copyists of the Scriptures, who naturally became its expounders. The priests, as the head of the Jewish religion, and the scribes, as the chief expounders of the Scriptures, were the proper persons to answer Herod's question. Where Christ should be born. This demand concedes: 1. That the Jews demanded a Messiah; 2. That the Scriptures had foretold his coming; 3. That the very place of his birth had been pointed out.

      5. In Bethlehem of Judea; for thus it is written by the prophet. The prophet here referred to is Micah, who lived about seven centuries before Christ. (See Micah 5:1-2.)

      6. And thou Bethlehem. The quotation is made freely from the Septuagint version (Greek) which was in common use, and from which the Savior and his apostles constantly quoted. The Hebrew is literally, "But thou Bethlehem Ephrata, too small to be among the thousands of Judah (i.  e., the towns where the heads of thousands resided, the chief towns in the distribution of the tribes); out of thee shall come forth one who is to be the ruler of Israel." It is not certain whether the quotation as given in our lesson is the explanation of Matthew, or the words of the scribes in answer to Herod. Princes. Put for towns, where the princes or head of thousands lived. [188]

      7. Then Herod privily called the wise men. The crafty and cruel king had gained one point; he now knew where the Christ was to be born. In order to compass his murderous design, and get out of the way one whom he feared might be a rival for his throne, he must learn more. He therefore asks another question of the wise men, by which he hopes to ascertain the age of the royal child. That he asked privately shows his sinister purpose. What time the star appeared. The fact that, as stated below, he slew the children of two years and under, denotes that the star had been seen first about two years before. The great German astronomer, Kepler, first pointed out that in B. C. 7, or within two or three years of the birth of Jesus, there was a remarkable conjunction of the planets Jupiter, Saturn, Mars and an extraordinary star. His astronomical calculations on this subject have been verified at the British royal observatory. Whether or not this was what had excited the wise men, there is no doubt that such an event would produce an extraordinary commotion among all close observers of the heavens.

      III. THE VISIT AT BETHLEHEM.--8. And he sent them to Bethlehem. Herod was not yet satisfied. He had found Bethlehem to be the place and the future king to be a small child, but he desired to have him pointed out. Therefore he deceitfully proposed to have the wise men accomplish his purpose. He commanded them to search out the young child and bring him word, but deliberately lied as to his object, which was the murder of a supposed rival, instead of worship. It was a diplomatic lie, such as kings and diplomats think admissible in overreaching rival powers.

      9. They went their way. They probably departed immediately after their interview with king Herod, and as the appearance of the star as soon as they started indicates that it was night, they probably saw Herod in the evening. Night traveling has always been customary in the East, especially during the warmer season of the year. So the star . . . went before them. This language seems to indicate more than a conjunction of the planets, and implies a miraculous appearance like a star which guided the steps of the [189] wise men. Such a view is no less probable than that a pillar of fire should have guided Israel. This luminous appearance stood over where the young child was, either over Bethlehem, or over the house where the young child was sheltered.

      10. And when they saw the star. This language shows that for some time, at least, they had not seen the star until they left Jerusalem for Bethlehem. Its reappearance caused them great rejoicing, because it showed them that their quest was not in vain. Their joy was not at the standing of the star over a particular spot, but that they saw it again after it was long lost sight of. It is probable that they had not seen the star since they left the East, until now. They said, "We have seen his star in the East," the country they came from, and its appearing again, proved that they had come to the right country.

      11. And they came into the house. Not, probably, the stable where the Lord was born, but a temporary home obtained after the crowd had left Jerusalem. Many commentators suppose that Joseph and Mary remained at Bethlehem until the forty days of purification were passed; that the young child was presented in the temple as recorded in Luke 2:22; that then they returned to Bethlehem, only six miles away; were visited shortly after by the wise men, and thence fled into Egypt. If this is correct, the young child must have been six or seven weeks old at the time of this visit. With Mary his mother. The child was probably in the mother's arms. Joseph is not named, either because he was not present, or because he is less important. They fell down and worshiped him. Observe that no adoration is offered his mother. There is not the slightest ground for Mariolatry anywhere in the New Testament. The worship of the Magi was more than the usual reverence for kings, for they were not Jews. They recognized in him a more than human King. When they had opened their treasures. They had brought these all the way from the East as an offering. They offer to him gifts such as were offered to kings by embassadors or vassals. Gold. A usual offering to kings and to the gods worshiped at Gentile shrines. Frankincense. A costly and fragrant gum distilled from a tree in India and Arabia. Myrrh. An aromatic gum produced from a thorn bush that grew in Arabia and Ethiopia and also in parts of Palestine, used for fumigation, for mingling with wine, and for the manufacture of precious ointment. These gifts were costly, and give no clue to the home of the Magi. The providence of God is seen in these gifts. It [190] provided the means necessary for the flight to Egypt that was to follow at once and to sustain in the holy family in a foreign land.

      12. Being warned of God in a dream. Probably they were suspicious of Herod, for they could not fail to know his character, and asked God to guide them. He did so by a dream, and hence they avoided Jerusalem on their return.

PRACTICAL AND SUGGESTIVE.

      The visit of the Magi is profoundly significant. They were the forerunners of the Gentile converts, and the whole section foreshadows the reception given to the gospel in apostolic times.

      The brief story contained in this lesson has furnished the basis of many curious legends that are received by the superstitious. Faith finds many lessons in it. Heaven and Earth move, as it were, about the holy child as their center. He is so remote; so hidden, so disowned, yet near, discovered, and acknowledged by those who seek him; their search is helped not only by the Scriptures, but by nature and the most imperfect science; the awakening faith of the Gentiles and the slumbering unbelief of the Jews. The Star of Bethlehem is a beautiful symbol of the nobler aspirations of heathenism and of every soul towards the whom it points, and over whom it abides.--Schaff.

      In all the ages since then the world has needed only one thing--love. It was the need of yesterday, it is the need of to-day, it will be the need of to-morrow. The Star of Bethlehem has in it the music that soothes every savage and every sensual heart.

      Where is the center of the world? Bethlehem. Pilgrims traveling through life stop at the inn of Bethlehem and give greeting to the new guest, and find good fare and good company. Let all go, with the wise men, worship and make offerings to the Young Child. He is a King, our King, The King of kings.

      The birth of Jesus, "born king of the Jews," is the great event of time. The spiritual darkness which had covered the earth for four thousand years was about to be rolled away. The way to pardon and peace with God was about to be thrown open to mankind. The head of Satan was about to be bruised. Liberty was about to be proclaimed to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind. The mighty truth was about to be proclaimed that God could be just and yet, for Christ's sake, justify the ungodly. Salvation was no longer to be seen through types and figures, but openly and face to face. The knowledge of God was no longer to be confined to the Jews but to be offered to the whole Gentile world. The days of heathenism were numbered. The first stone of God's kingdom was about to be set up. If this was not "good tidings" there never were tidings that deserved the name.--Ryle. [191]

POINTS FOR TEACHERS.

      1. Seek to give a clear idea of the time when Christ was born;--paganism save in one little spot; the Roman Empire ruling the world; the wicked Herod in Judea. 2. Point to the wise men, strangers from afar, show on the map from whence they probably came; show who they were; their object in coming. 3. Observe their visit to Jerusalem; their inquiry; the reason they asked such a question; why they and the world expected a Christ. 4. Note the answer to their inquiry. The Scriptures point the way to Christ. They always do. "They are they which testify of me." "Of him have all the prophets borne witness." 5. Call out the crafty and diabolical purpose of Herod, his deceit; his ground of hate. 6. Point to the Star, the Star of Bethlehem, the Star that guides to Christ. God still gives beacons to show the way to the arms of safety. 7. See the Magi worshiping the babe; their offsprings. The little babe on mother's lap and gray haired and dignified strangers bowing before him and paying tribute. The significance of all this. 8. Impress on all the importance of following the Star that leads to Bethlehem, of worshiping the Babe, and of the following him in life's journey. 9. Contrast the three classes of character. 1. The Christ-hating Herod. 2. The Skeptical and Indifferent Priests. 3. The Devout Gentiles from the East.

Source: Barton Warren Johnson. The Christian International Lesson Commentary for 1887. Des Moines, IA: