B-Side - Matthew 2:1-12

Astrology was a sin in the old testament, but regardless, God knows this is how to reach the wise men from Arabia. God is using the star of Bethlehem to reach out to these gentiles even before Jesus is born!

The wandering star is the Holy Spirit, similar to the glory cloud in the wilderness in Exodus, resting on the tabernacle. At Jesus' birth, the glory cloud has left the temple, is leading to and now rests upon Jesus. Paralleling Exodus, Jesus is the way for God's people out of Egypt and into the promised land. In Exodus, all who followed the glory cloud will gather at the tabernacle; all who follow the Holy Spirit will gather to the Son!

In this passage there are two deceptions:

- Herod pretending to give respects to Jesus, but his true intent was to kill him

- The magi taking an alternate route home to avoid/deceive Herod

In the Old Testament when Pharaoh wanted to kill newborn babies, the Egyptian midwives deceived Pharaoh to protect the babies. In the New testament when Herod wanted to kill the baby Jesus, the magi deceived Herod to protect Jesus.

If we faithfully follow Jesus, we have to accept that the Herods of our lives will hate and oppose us.