Drawing near to God

Matthew 2:1-12

Wise Men from the East

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem

of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold,

wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying,

“Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?

For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”

When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 
And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes
of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.
So they said to him,


“In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet:

But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
Are not the least among the rulers of Judah.
For out of you shall come a Ruler
Who will shepherd My people Israel.’”

Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men,

determined from them what time the star appeared.  

And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “

Go and search carefully for the young Child,

and when you have found Him, bring back word to me,

that I may come and worship Him also.”

When they heard the king, they departed,
and behold, the star which they had seen
in the East went before them,
till it came and stood over where the young Child was. 

When they saw the star,
they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 
And when they had come into the house,
they saw the young Child with Mary His mother,
and fell down and worshiped Him.
And when they had opened their treasures,
they presented gifts to Him.
gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they
should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.

~~~Reflections~~~

The Wise men followed the Star to the One who has been born King of the Jews.

We here of the 3 gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. So we assume 3 wise men. 
We should know better to assume God's word. 
All of my life, I was taught 3 wise men. All the books, movies, and plays,
always had the shepherd and 3 wise men.
Lets take a look at the old testament speaking of the coming of King of Jews, the Messiah.
The wise men, or otherwise known as Magi or Kings are linked to Old Testament prophesies, that talk about the Messiah being worshipped by kings, and Bringing gifts. And where they

traveled from Midian Ephah, Sheba, Seba, Kedar, Nebaioth, Tarshish, and Lebonon.
Never does it mention the  actual number of wise men. Gives you an idea of how they traveled. Ships, possibly caravans.

Here are scriptures you can find  Isaiah 11  Isaiah 60,  Psalm 72,  Psalm 68:29,  and Micah 5:2