Advent Devotion
December 2nd
Long ago, there was a man named Daniel who lived in Babylon. Taken captive as a young man during the Babylonian captivity, Daniel was trained in the language and literature of the Babylonians in Babylon, specifically being prepared for service in the king's court by learning their customs and practices while also maintaining his Jewish faith; this training included studying Babylonian writing, history, and even astrology, all while being groomed for a position as a court interpreter and advisor to the king
Daniel was a righteous man and by the grace, and through the favor of God, he excelled in all that he did. After interpreting a dream for King Nebuchadnezzar, “the king promoted Daniel and gave him many generous gifts. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and chief governor over all the wise men of Babylon” (Daniel 2:48)
In the 9th chapter of Daniel, we find that Daniel received a word from the Lord. He was given a detailed prophecy from the angel Gabriel that foretold the coming of the Messiah. The prophecy even included a timeline!
As the overseer of the wise men of Babylon, Daniel evidently shared that astounding prophecy with the wise men of his day!
How do we know that?
Because in Matthew 2:9-11 we read of wise men who’d made a 900-plus mile journey from Babylon to Jerusalem just to see the newborn King. Concerning these wise men, the passage says, “After hearing the king, they went on their way. And there it was—the star they had seen at its rising. It led them until it came and stopped above the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overwhelmed with joy. Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and falling to their knees, they worshipped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh”
How did these wise men know about Jewish prophecy at all, and what led them to believe that this particular star was the one that would lead them to a great, newborn king?
I believe the answer is traced all the way back to the prophecy that Daniel would have shared with their ancestors. The wise men of the first century would most certainly have studied the writings of an influential leader in their field, such a Daniel. Having an opportunity to pour into the magi who were under his leadership, I have no doubt that Daniel likely referenced other ancient Biblical writings, such as the book of Isaiah and this wisdom was passed down from generation to generation.
And by the time we get to Matthew, almost six hundred years later, the wise men would have had expected a Jewish king to arrive in in the Holy Land near the end of the first century B.C.
It is most probable that the Magi followed the star based on their study of the prophet Daniel’s writings, along with the leading of the Holy Spirit.
No wonder they were “overwhelmed with joy”!
Personal Reflection:
As we’ve noted in today’s devotion, the story of the wise man in Matthew 2 began more than six centuries before, as Daniel was promoted to chief of the magi. What does that tell us about the connection that exists between the Old and New Testaments?
The wise men certainly weren’t Israelites who were devoted to YAWEH but were Gentiles from a pagan land. Yet, the Lord orchestrated history to ensure they would eventually kneel before King Jesus and worship Him. What does that tell us about the nature of the Kingdom and the Lords desire for all tribes, tongues, and nations to know and worship Him?
What does the journey of the magi teach us about the importance of seeking Jesus with all our heart? How do we prioritize seeking Jesus in our daily lives?
What barriers (both internal and external) might we face when seeking Jesus, and how can we overcome them?
What is one way you can "seek" Jesus more intentionally in your own life after reflecting on this passage?
Prayer Prompt:
Ask the Lord to help you to passionately seek first His Kingdom and righteousness above all else during this Christmas season
Daniel was a righteous man and by the grace, and through the favor of God, he excelled in all that he did. After interpreting a dream for King Nebuchadnezzar, “the king promoted Daniel and gave him many generous gifts. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and chief governor over all the wise men of Babylon” (Daniel 2:48)
In the 9th chapter of Daniel, we find that Daniel received a word from the Lord. He was given a detailed prophecy from the angel Gabriel that foretold the coming of the Messiah. The prophecy even included a timeline!
As the overseer of the wise men of Babylon, Daniel evidently shared that astounding prophecy with the wise men of his day!
How do we know that?
Because in Matthew 2:9-11 we read of wise men who’d made a 900-plus mile journey from Babylon to Jerusalem just to see the newborn King. Concerning these wise men, the passage says, “After hearing the king, they went on their way. And there it was—the star they had seen at its rising. It led them until it came and stopped above the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overwhelmed with joy. Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and falling to their knees, they worshipped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh”
How did these wise men know about Jewish prophecy at all, and what led them to believe that this particular star was the one that would lead them to a great, newborn king?
I believe the answer is traced all the way back to the prophecy that Daniel would have shared with their ancestors. The wise men of the first century would most certainly have studied the writings of an influential leader in their field, such a Daniel. Having an opportunity to pour into the magi who were under his leadership, I have no doubt that Daniel likely referenced other ancient Biblical writings, such as the book of Isaiah and this wisdom was passed down from generation to generation.
And by the time we get to Matthew, almost six hundred years later, the wise men would have had expected a Jewish king to arrive in in the Holy Land near the end of the first century B.C.
It is most probable that the Magi followed the star based on their study of the prophet Daniel’s writings, along with the leading of the Holy Spirit.
No wonder they were “overwhelmed with joy”!
Personal Reflection:
As we’ve noted in today’s devotion, the story of the wise man in Matthew 2 began more than six centuries before, as Daniel was promoted to chief of the magi. What does that tell us about the connection that exists between the Old and New Testaments?
The wise men certainly weren’t Israelites who were devoted to YAWEH but were Gentiles from a pagan land. Yet, the Lord orchestrated history to ensure they would eventually kneel before King Jesus and worship Him. What does that tell us about the nature of the Kingdom and the Lords desire for all tribes, tongues, and nations to know and worship Him?
What does the journey of the magi teach us about the importance of seeking Jesus with all our heart? How do we prioritize seeking Jesus in our daily lives?
What barriers (both internal and external) might we face when seeking Jesus, and how can we overcome them?
What is one way you can "seek" Jesus more intentionally in your own life after reflecting on this passage?
Prayer Prompt:
Ask the Lord to help you to passionately seek first His Kingdom and righteousness above all else during this Christmas season
Recent
Archive
2024
October
November