“We Three Kings,” written by John H. Hopkins.
What is this song talking about? Is it Scripturally accurate? In order to find out, let us take a look into the Bible and a bit of a dive into Bible prophecy.
1. We three kings of Orient are;
Bearing gifts we traverse afar,
Field and fountain, moor and mountain,
Following yonder star.
This song is based on the account of the wise men in Matthew chapter two. Verses one and two of this chapter reads, “Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.”
The Star
Before taking a look at the wise men, let us first consider the star. What was this star? Notice that the wise men said, “We have seen his star in the east…” They knew that this was specifically the star of the King of the Jews. Balaam, though not a righteous prophet, did prophesy about the rising of this star. We can read of this in Numbers 24:17, “I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.”
Herod, though a very wicked man, evidently knew something about the study of the stars as well. He also had some knowledge of Jewish prophecy. As soon as the wise men told him that they had seen the star of the King of the Jews, Herod knew who they were talking about. He went immediately to the chief priests and scribes, “And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.” (Matthew 2:4) Herod knew that this King of the Jews was Christ the Messiah. The thought of the coming of the Messiah troubled him greatly. He was afraid that this baby would grow up to be a man and would take his kingdom from him.
We see the star mentioned again in Luke 1:78 and 79 where it is referred to as “the dayspring from on high”. In these verses, Zacharias said, “78) Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, 79) To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
Revelation 22:16 tells us specifically who this star is. Jesus Himself said, “I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.”
Malachi references this appearance as the rising of the Sun of righteousness, “But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.” (Malachi 4:2)
Lord willing, in the next post, we will take a look at the wise men. Who were they? Were they kings? Where did they come from? Where did the star lead them?