Dream Warning

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In a dream, they were warned not to report back to Herod. So they worked out another route, left the territory without being seen, and returned to their own country. (Matthew 2:12)

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After the discovery of the newborn king, right where they thought he was, I’m trying to imagine how these star-scholars reacted. Now that they had found the one they were looking for, what was their next step?

Scientific discovery is often a long process with twists and turns, joys and disappointments. Hunches that don’t work, and surprises that present themselves, accompanied sometimes by “Why didn’t I think of that?” There is almost a touch of vindication at eventual success. The scholar knows he is right; he is waiting to prove it to all who are inquiring and looking over his shoulder in anticipation to see if his scientific calculation and prediction will come to pass.

For these star-scholars, they were certain they had seen a royal star which was announcing the birth of a king. They were certain that it was leading them, night by night, to the right place. And sure enough, they found him! They were right!

Armed with this success after all their effort, I imagine these star-scholars had thoughts of returning to Jerusalem and presenting themselves to Herod for inclusion in his Royal Academy of Sciences. I mean, they had quite a story to tell, and now this impressive discovery in the land of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob would beef up their resume to international heights. They would no longer be confined to their homeland, but their fame would spread far and wide. They were explorers of international renown. Wait till Herod hears what happened!

We don’t know how long they stayed with Mary and the baby. I guess I’ve always thought they deposited their gifts, worshipped him, and then left. They exited the story, so I figure they exited Bethlehem. Or, as we reflect on the traditions of our nativities and manger scenes, these ‘wise men’ are gathered ‘round the child in all forms of figurines. And they just sort of stand there, and that’s either the end of the story for us, or the last we think of them, recounting their positioning and posture. We aren’t told what happened next and about any further interactions with the family. Nor do we know where they stayed. Was it in the inn that Joseph and Mary had tried to check into, and afterwards rooms opened up? We will never know, but I find it stimulating to think about. The occupancy guest list at the inn is not available for our inspection.

What we do know is that they were prepared to return to Herod and report to him details about their discovery, as he instructed them. These scientific ones were to take news of their success straight to the top, to Herod himself!

Notice that the text never says that these ‘wise men’ were religious men. They weren’t on a religious mission or journey. Their science of the stars told them they were seeking a royal baby, and not necessarily one that was to be a king who they would worship in line with their religion.

Even so, the Scripture says they were warned in a dream not to return to Jerusalem and report back. I have to believe that warning came from God, and of course was tied to the details of the safety of the Christ Child. When I read of this warning, it makes me wonder if they had any thoughts of resisting such a clear word. I mean, it had to be incredibly satisfying that the star they followed was indeed the real deal. And I can only imagine they had significant personal pride in sticking with their plan and announcing the validation of their discovery. Besides, the most powerful man in the land was requesting this information when they returned to him! He was going to receive them and no doubt honor them and laud them before the public.

We aren’t told of any personal dilemma in that kind of decision-making. Instead, “they worked out another route, left the territory without being seen, and returned to their own country.” As they had followed the glorious external marker, the royal birth-announcement star, now they followed the internal marker, the clear instructions of the dream. The details of that dream are lost to history—such as did each of the scholars have the same one? Was it just the leader of their pack who did, and the others had learned to follow him? Or, did each of them wake up and say, “You won’t believe what I dreamed last night!” “Wait, you, too! Let me tell you what happened to me!” “Are you kidding! I dreamed the same thing! Actually, I got this bit, but don’t know what’s next; did anyone else get anything to fill in that blank?” And so on. We don’t know all of that, but the bottom line is recorded for us: the dream warning was clear, don’t go back to Herod. As big a pull as that might have been, they obeyed that instruction.

So, off they trooped, back to where they came from. It’s perhaps easy to think they are lost to history. But we know a different story: their enormous effort gives us all yet another historical marker of the birth of the Messiah.

“Father, thank you for these scholars who traveled so far to find the newborn King of the Jews. We thank you that their effort is recorded in history for us, and that they didn’t just follow the star, but obeyed the dream that you obviously sent regarding their exit from Israel. Perhaps someone we know needs a dream from you this Advent season, and they will listen to you when it comes. Please reveal yourself to those who are waiting for your Good News, whether or not they are aware of their need of you.”