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By Cheryl Schatz MM Outreach This
message will take the form of a simulated discussion between
a Jehovah's Witness named Joe and a Christian named
Chris. Chris: Joe, can
you tell me why the Watchtower believes that the star of
Bethlehem was Satan's star and that the wise men were led by
Satan? Joe: I have
brought some information from the Watchtower for you to look
at Chris. Look at this article in the July 1, 1985
Watchtower. On pages 16 & 17 it says "Who do you think
provided the star that moved in the sky to guide the
astrologers? Remember, the star did not guide them directly
to Jesus in Bethlehem. Rather, they were led to Jerusalem
where they came in touch with King Herod, who wanted to kill
Jesus. And he would have done so if God had not stepped in
and warned the astrologers not to tell Herod. It was God's
enemy, Satan the Devil, who wanted Jesus killed, and he used
that star to try to accomplish this purpose." You see, Chris
the star that led the magi was Satan's star and it was used
to try to destroy Jesus. Chris: That is
certainly a very interesting premise Joe, but I have never
seen it that way from scripture. I'm wondering if you could
answer some questions I have about the story of the star and
the wise men found in the Bible. Joe: I am always
willing to answer your Bible questions. Chris: Look at
Matthew 2:1 & 2. Joe: In the New
World Translation is says "After Jesus had been born in
Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, look!
Astrologers from eastern parts came to Jerusalem, saying:
"Where is the one born king of the Jews? For we saw his star
(when we were) in the east, and we have come to do him
obeisance." Chris: Joe,
according to Matthew 2:1 & 2, where did the wise men see
the star? Joe: It says they
saw the star when they were in the east. Chris: Does it say
that the star led them to Jerusalem? Joe: Well...no, it
just says that they saw the star in the east. But it had to
lead them to Jerusalem or else how did they get there? Chris: Obviously
they knew something about the Jews and their religion
because the Bible says that they knew that the star was
connected with the long-awaited king of the Jews. If they
were aware of the Jew's belief in a coming king, where do
you think that they would look to find the king? Joe: Jerusalem was
the logical choice as it was the capital city and had the
throne of king Herod. Chris: That's
right, Joe. Logically Jerusalem would be the place to start
their search for the king. But can you find any verse that
says that the star led the wise men to Jerusalem? Joe: Hmmm. Well,
no I guess there isn't any verse. We just assume that the
star led them to Jerusalem because Satan wanted Jesus
killed. Chris: You know
Joe, there is a verse that talks about the star leading the
magi. Have a look at Matt. 2:9. Joe: It says,
"When they had heard the king, they went their way; and,
look! the star they had seen (when they were) in the east
went ahead of them, until it came to a stop above where the
young child was." Chris: Joe, did
the star lead the magi to Jesus? Joe: Yes, it did.
But it was Satan's star. Chris: Look at
verse 12. Who gave the wise men direction in a dream? Joe: It says
"However, because they were given divine warning in a dream
not to return to Herod, they withdrew to their country by
another way." Here Jehovah warned the wise men to stay away
from Herod but he had to do this or else Herod would have
killed Jesus. Chris: If the star of Bethlehem was Satan's star, then Satan goofed! He should have sent the star to direct Herod not the wise men. You see the wise men were obedient to Jehovah, but Herod obviously was not. Joe: The star
couldn't have been Jehovah's star. There is no reason to
send pagan astrologers to Jesus other then to stir up Herod
to try to kill Jesus. Chris: Joe, if the
magi were pawns of Satan and influenced by him, then they
would not have obeyed Jehovah's warning in a dream. The fact
that they obeyed Jehovah proves that they were sent by
him. Joe: So, they
obeyed him that proves nothing. Chris: Jehovah
could easily have stopped the wise men from finding Jesus
just as He stopped Herod from finding Jesus. But the wise
men provided something for his Son that was needed because
of an important prophecy. Joe: What do you
mean? Chris: Matthew
2:15 quotes a prophecy from Jehovah about His Son being in
Egypt. And verse 18 is another prophecy quoted about the
death of the young children that would be killed by Herod.
It was no surprise to Jehovah that Herod would cause the
death of many children in an attempt to kill Jesus. Jehovah
already knew this and gave a prophecy to show that He was
prepared for this event. How would Jehovah provide
protection for Jesus? Joe: He would send
Jesus and his parents into Egypt. Chris: If Jehovah
already knew that his Son would need to go to
Egypt just as Jehovah prophecied, what did He prepare to
provide financially for his Son in Egypt? Joe: I've never
thought of that question before. I don't know. Chris: Just think,
Joe. The wise men brought very expensive gifts to the young
child Jesus. These gifts were worth enough to finance the
stay in Egypt of God's Son. These men brought
Jehovah's financial provision for Jesus and
not until after the magi left were Jesus'
parents instructed to flee to Egypt. Now Joe, whose star do
you think the star of Bethlehem really was? |
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