Following the birth of Jesus, Joseph and Mary remained in Bethlehem. Apart from the shepherds who visited this family, two other groups went to find Jesus in Bethlehem, the Magi (wise men) and Herod’s soldiers.

One group traveled a very long distance; the other traveled a very short distance. One group was armed with gifts; the other was armed with swords. One group came to honor the Christ Child and the other came to eliminate Him. Treasure and terror descended upon the village of Bethlehem for a reason.

We know little about the Magi who journeyed from the east to find Jesus. The most compelling evidence suggests that they came from Persia (the land of Queen Esther).

They came to Bethlehem because they believed that the true King of the Jews had been born. A star had appeared that suggested to them that the prophecy of Numbers 24:17 had come to pass: “A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel.”

But Herod the Great and his soldiers had a very different reason for visiting Bethlehem. Herod had ruthlessly defended his kingship against all threats, even killing his own sons and wives when he felt they were conspiring to remove him from the throne.

When Herod learned from the Magi that his rival may be a child living in Bethlehem, Herod dispatched his soldiers to kill every male less than two years of age in the village.

God had a different plan in mind, however, as Jesus and His family fled to Egypt using the gifts of the Magi as their provision for the next two years.