THE MAGI: GOD’S PROVISION 

“When [the Magi] had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. ‘Get up,’ he said, ‘take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.’” – Matthew 2:13

The story of the Wise Men is an interesting one. Called the Magi, these wise men from the east saw a star that led them all the way to Bethlehem, where baby Jesus was. They brought along gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh—gifts that were quite costly in their day. Most of us know the biblical account.  When the Magi had had stopped in Jerusalem on their way to Bethlehem, King Herod inquired when it was that they had seen the star, because, he said deceptively, he too wanted to go and worship the baby Jesus. Warned in a dream, the Magi left by another route. Herod then proceeded to murder all the Israelite boys two years old and under, following a decree he made based on when the Magi said they had first seen the star. He wanted to eliminate the possibility of any new king in Israel.

An angel appeared to Joseph and warned him to take Mary and the child to Egypt to spare the baby’s life. But how would they get there? Where would the money come from for them to live on while they were in Egypt? After all, Mary and Joseph were not well to-do. Ah, but there was the gold, frankincense and myrrh that had been brought to Jesus by the Magi! By the provision of God Almighty, they were supported by those gifts for the duration of their time in Egypt!

Isn’t it good to know that whatever God’s plan is for our lives, he’s going to provide what we need for that plan? The important thing is to be led by him. Let’s seek the Lord’s guidance for our lives today. He has “plans to prosper [us] and not to harm [us], plans to give [us] hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11). As he did for Joseph, Mary, and the baby, he will supply all of our needs.