"The Curious Men"

 

“The Curious Men”

 

In a 1598 play dramatist Ben Johnson coined the saying, “Curiosity killed the cat”. It’s crept into our English vernacular as a warning that being overly inquisitive may have bad results. The dictionary I use defines curious as “eager to know or learn”; “excessively inquisitive, nosy”. But where’s the line between seeking appropriate information or just plain prying? Not understanding the difference can have a negative impact on our relationships, reputation and other areas. (See “Need to Know” for an example of an outcome of nosiness.)

One of the accounts surrounding Jesus’ birth involves a group of curious men, generally referred to as the “Wise Men” or “Magi”. Where they came from and how many there were has been the subject of discussion for centuries. We know they came “…from the east….” (Matthew 2:1) but anything beyond this is conjectural. One theory scholars have suggested is that they were Persian astrologers who were familiar with the promise of a Jewish Messiah which had been passed down from the Queen of Sheba as shown by the question, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?” (Matthew 2:2). They had noticed an unusual celestial phenomenon which didn’t fit with their knowledge of astronomy and when they saw it move they wanted to know more (i.e. they became curious). Since Google wasn’t yet available for consultation they followed it. It led them to Jerusalem and eventually to “…the place where the child was…and they bowed down and worshiped him.” (Matthew 2:9-11). It’s estimated that their journey took one to two years. And it’s interesting (and tragic) that the religious leaders whom Herod consulted knew the prophecy of the Messiah’s birthplace (Matthew 2:4-6) but showed no interest in pursuing it.

What can we learn from “the curious men”?

*God uses even pagans (rulers and otherwise) to accomplish His purposes (“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it….”—Psalm 24:1, emphasis added).

*God uses unusual circumstances to communicate His purposes (“For my thoughts and not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways….”—Isaiah 55:8, emphasis added).

*We as God’s people who should know better can miss what God’s saying due to indifference, distractions or biases if we get our eyes off Him (“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus….”—Hebrews 12:2, emphasis added).

The Magi’s thirst for knowledge led to their curiosity over a new light in the sky. May we say with the psalmist, “My soul thirsts for God….” (Psalm 42:2) and remember that “…he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.” (Psalm 107:9).

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan