Prophecy Fulfilled

Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him. ”King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem. He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?” “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said, “for this is what the prophet wrote: ‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are not least among the ruling cities of Judah, for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.’” [Matthew 2.1-6] 

Isn't it interesting that God's people (Israel) were not the first ones to recognize that Messiah had been born? It was wise men from the east (somewhere in Asia?) that saw a star that got this all started.

It might be noted here that, if the wise men were in the east (east of Jerusalem), the star they observed would necessarily have been in the west for them to follow it to Jerusalem from Asia.

It might also be food for thought that the star apparently led the wise men westward to Jerusalem first. Why didn't the star lead them westward to Bethlehem (just south of Jerusalem) from the beginning since that is where Jesus was?

Furthermore, it might be considered that the wise men did not go to Herod first, but Herod sought them out. The wise men just showed up in Jerusalem and started asking questions, their presence was made known to Herod, Herod sought counsel with the Jewish leaders, and then, Herod requested a private meeting with the wise men.

In Herod's private meeting with the wise men, it was he who told them to seek the child in Bethlehem. But then:

After this interview the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. [Matthew 2.9]

This is all very interesting. Where did the star go after the wise men showed up in Jerusalem? Had it disappeared? And then, once Herod told them to go to Bethlehem (south of Jerusalem) the star apparently re-appeared (the star they had seen in the east) and would have been south of them to get them to Bethlehem.

Here is a very good question: How can it be that a star, leading so accurately to point the wise men to the very house where Jesus was, landed the wise men north of Bethlehem in Jerusalem first?

And, here is that very good question's answer: 

Herod was furious when he realized that the wise men had outwitted him. He sent soldiers to kill all the boys in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and under, based on the wise men’s report of the star’s first appearance. Herod’s brutal action fulfilled what God had spoken through the prophet Jeremiah: “A cry was heard in Ramah—weeping and great mourning. Rachel weeps for her children, refusing to be comforted, for they are dead.” [Matthew 2.16-18]

Prophecy was undeniably fulfilled! No one but God controls the stars. There is simply no logical explanation for these events except that God was fulfilling prophecy to point (with pinpoint accuracy) to His Son!

Father, thank You for so accurately pointing to Jesus from the very beginning! May we have sense enough to see Him! So be it.