No doubt because Epiphany is nigh, the OPC website this week features an attempt to explain the Star of Bethlehem as a supernatural celestial phenomenon. As I've preached on Matthew 2:1-12 several times without ever feeling any concern over just what was going on in the skies two thousand years ago, I can't fault this explanation. However, I prefer one offered by Allen P. Ross, whose lecture "Matthew and the Magi" was recently featured on the Beeson Divinity School podcast. Ross suggests the "star" may have in fact been the divine Glory-Cloud which led Israel through the Exodus wilderness and was associated with Solomon's Temple. As Matthew is rather vague on the details, one can't say for sure, but that fact has never stopped scholarly speculation in the past.
Ross also argues that the magi probably visited Jesus in Bethlehem shortly after his birth, defending the popular impression they arrived on January 6, just after the twelfth day of Christmas but still in time to appear in manger scenes atop mantels and pianos everywhere. I have a curmudgeonly appreciation for this contrarian position, but was disappointed at the cheap shots Ross takes at "We Three Kings of Orient Are." He's not content to observe the indeterminate number of magi in Matthew's account, but seems to think we believe each magus explained the symbolical meaning of his gift as he presented it. No one thinks they did, and as a professional exegete, I must say the interpreations offered in the classic Christmas hymn are as good as any I've ever found in any commentary. Our ignorance of the number of wise men aside, the ommission of "We Three Kings" from either edition of the Trinity Hymnal is a great tragedy. Much better, I think, to sing at Epiphany and at other times,
Glorious now behold Him arise,
King and God and Sacrifice.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Sounds through the earth and skies.
1 comment:
It was the glory cloud. Cannot prove it from Scripture, but that is what I believe.
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