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Sunday, December 26, 2004
A Word to the Wise
Well, there's wise men and there's wise men. (See Matthew 2:1-9)
King Herod had some on his staff, it seems. Steeped in Bible knowledge, they could cross-refer all over the Book. Tracking down some remote prophecy or other, they wasted no time answering the king's latest question.
"What's it say about a new king? A wandering star? Mysterious foreigners bringing special gifts?"
Sure enough, the wise scholars found an obscure reference to Bethlehem -- King David's home town a thousand years ago. (It's Micah 5:2, if you're curious.)
But Herod's palace was in Jerusalem -- the capital city, the royal city ever since David's day. That's the knot at the heart of the wise men's puzzle.
The other wise men, that is. Three pilgrims from the east, who'd brought presents for the prophesied newborn king of the Jews. They came to the royal palace in the royal city.
Knock, knock. "We're here to honor the royal baby. May we come in?"
Herod was stunned. No baby here! What's going on? Get the scholars on the job.
So they found the prophecy, gave the visiting wise men directions, and sent them off on their mission.
Now I'm the puzzled one: Why in the world didn't Herod's hired wise men go out there with the other ones?
I mean, if this baby's birth was a prophecy fulfilled, wouldn't they jump at the chance to be be there? Weren't they at least curious about it all?
Apparently not. They simply re-rolled the scrolls, locked them up, and -- What? Went back to bed? Played a couple rounds of Bible Jeopardy?
Whatever they did, it proved once and for all that they were anything but wise.
There's a world of difference between knowing what the Bible says and letting its wisdom transform your life.
The letter of James promises that God wants all of us to be wise. "If any of you lack wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you." (James 1:5)
But God's words of wisdom aren't intended for mental storage. God gives us insight for action. James says, "Be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves." (James 1:22)
The palace wise men really were fools. Ironically, they became an important part of the prophetic story after all.
Their lesson is simple: Wise up! When the Bible speaks, listen; when you understand its message, put it to work.
Short of that, you're simply playing church.
posted by Jack Buckley at
1:20 PM
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