After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

--Parallel verses:
‭‭Daniel‬ ‭9‬:‭25‬-‭27‬
“Know and understand this: From the time the word goes out to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One, the ruler, comes, there will be seven ‘sevens,’ and sixty-two ‘sevens.’ It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of trouble. After the sixty-two ‘sevens,’ the Anointed One will be put to death and will have nothing. The people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood: War will continue until the end, and desolations have been decreed. He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’ In the middle of the ‘seven’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And at the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him.”

‭‭Numbers‬ ‭24‬:‭15‬-‭17‬
Then he spoke his message: “The prophecy of Balaam son of Beor, the prophecy of one whose eye sees clearly, the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who has knowledge from the Most High, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who falls prostrate, and whose eyes are opened: “I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel. He will crush the foreheads of Moab, the skulls of all the people of Sheth.”

The Magi researched the ancient writing of the Jews, and they would have calculated Daniel’s prophesy. A week equaled 7 years. 7 weeks (49 years) + 62 weeks (434 years) =1,420,945 weeks = 483 years. This was exactly the time that Jesus was born.

Add to this the prophesy of a star in the book of Numbers. It is a reference to Jesus and his star. This star did not move like the normal stars, so astronomers like the Magi knew it was special. Knowing the time was roughly right, they followed the star, knowing the Savior King would likely be behind it. When the promised one comes to earth, it is time to drop everything and pay honor to him.

What I find most compelling about the Magi is: 1) They researched the Word of God and sought to find the Messiah, and 2) Once they saw the sign, they dropped everything to follow it to Jesus.

When God gives me a sign, will I see it, because I’ve been looking? Will I drop everything to follow Jesus today?

Lord, thank you for the Magi, who modeled for us intense searching after your Son. They also modeled sacrificial action in following the star to Jesus. May I be curious to find the truth in your Word and quick to act when your signs are displayed or you call me to act.