And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way. - Matthew 2: 12 (ESV)
We fancy ourselves so smart and sophisticated sometimes. We think that we know more or better than others and even more and better than God. Sure we do. Whenever we find ourselves at odds with Scriptures we must admit that we simply thought we knew better. That is what the world and sin does to us. It blinds us. It lies to us. It convinces us that we know better. That God must have gotten this one wrong. What's the big deal if I sleep with my girlfriend outside of marriage? What's the big deal if I cut these corners in my business deals? What's the big deal if my church doesn't preach the whole Gospel? We can let things slide; can't we?
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. - Proverbs 3: 5-8 (ESV)
No beloved. We cannot let things slide. Slides become slopes and they get awful slippery, awful fast. We are to trust in the Lord with all of our heart. Not just part of it. Not just the hard things or the easy things. We are not supposed to lean to our own on understanding because it has been compromised by an inherently wicked heart and an inherently evil world. If we acknowledge Him then He will make known the paths we ought to take. We cannot be wise in our own eyes and fear the Lord at the same time. It is one or the other. For the fear of the Lord is the very beginning of wisdom.
Let us quickly turn to the Christmas story this season to see God teaching us these principles in a verse most of us just probably pass right over every time. It is our key verse today and it comes from the story of the wise men visiting the new born King of Kings. Let us first deal with who these wise men were. They were learned men of their day. Astrologers. They studied the heavens and were respected for their knowledge. They were wise by the standards of this world. The word of this prophecy coming to pass involving the King of the Jews worried the present King in those days, Herod.
Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him."After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. - Matthew 2: 7-9 (ESV)
One would think that these wise men would have seen right through the ruse of King Herod. They should have known that his declaration to want to worship the child was a ploy. Eventually, Herod would order all male children under the age of two killed in an attempt to eliminate this so called King of the Jews. Yet the text does not reveal that these wisest of wise men knew any of this. God never wastes a word or a verse in His Bible beloved. The key verse today is not a throw away verse at the end of a great story regarding the birth of our Savior. It is a reminder that even the wise need the wisdom of God.
And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way. - Matthew 2: 12 (ESV)
The wise men did not return to Herod and tell him where he could find the baby Jesus. They went back to their own country by another way to avoid him altogether. This great surge of wisdom however did not come from their vast intellect and human prowess. No beloved. God warned them in a dream. They still needed the wisdom of God and so do we today.
So remember this little story the next time you want to go it alone. The next time you think you have it all figured out. Only God is omniscient. Only God has seen all time. God knows what the King Herods in our lives are really up to. Lean not upon your own understanding. Be not wise in your own eyes.
Rev. Anthony
