They Followed The Stars And Found The Tree Of Life: Part 1

Things from afar eventually come into clearer view.

The worship of things created and celestial bodies (sun, moon, stars), was restricted as something to be 'followed' or done by the Hebrews according to their Law.

And when you look up to the sky and see the sun, the moon and the stars 

—all the heavenly array— 

do not be enticed into bowing down to them and worshiping things the Lord your God has apportioned to all the nations under heaven.  

- Deuteronomy 4: 15-20 

It was not that the stars, sun, or moon could not be utilized in telling time or seasons.

This is one manner they served their purpose... and it is not 'worship' to utilize such in telling time or seasons.

Rather, the aim of restriction was refraining from interpreting spiritual things according to or through things created.

This is interesting because it was through astrology, and possibly the worship of such things, that the Magi / wise men found the King of the Jews.

After Yeshua was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi [wise men] from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, 

“Where is the One who has been born King of the Jews? 

We saw His star when it rose and have come to worship Him.” 

When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 

When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the Law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 

“In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:  

“ ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; 

for out of you will come a Ruler who will shepherd My people Israel.’ ”  

- Matthew 2: 1-6

It is a popular notion that the men from the east were from Persia, or had a Zoroastrian influence.

The term 'Magi' is attributed to Persian priests of that religion.

This has yet to be clearly determined, but this notion's popularity has its reasons.

One place in Zoroastrian religion, although recognized as a later development (3rd century AD), is the practice of worshipping a cow's soul and the attribution of celestial beings (stars and moon).

These later ideas have their mention in the earlier mythologies of what became Zoroastrianism.

There is much speculation regarding 'how' these men from the east knew about such a King to be born into the world.

Interesting as to why these men, of a different heritage and having their own views of 'God', were interested in finding the King of the Jews.

When comparing the Hebrews and their many near and distant neighbors - multiple nations within vast empires having their own unique religions and manners of worship - the Hebrews were a seemingly small and insignificant people.

Why would men having kings of their own, identifying with their own legacies in which they likely took pride in (as would any other people), be interested in another people's King?

Why would a seemingly small and fringe people (compared to the empires popular to world history and their religious influences) be of any significance to another people?

We can look at the testimony stemming from the Hebrew perspective and the dates of such.

The earliest concept of 'God' from the eastern perspective (namely Persian) is of Ahura Mazda.

That 'God' concept developed and changed over time according to subsequent interpretations by succeeding kings and personalities.

When a personality known as Zoroaster / Zarathushtra taught 'God' as being an 'uncreated spirit', a change is noticed.

This was a significant development when considering how religions change... or do not change.

Something very significant usually accompanies a 'new' teaching, or clarification, of previous dogmas and doctrines.

Syncretism: the combining and blending of different ideas in developing a more inclusive concept.

If the wise men were in fact from Persia, identifying with Zoroastrian beliefs, then the need to acknowledge a Hebrew King as God (they came to worship Him) must have found its way into Persia at some point in the past and altered their religious beliefs.

Zoroaster kept a flame alight, similar to the Temple practice of the Hebrews with the altar and its offering.

Zoroaster introduced the notion of a messiah, attributed initially as Zoroaster himself, and later pointing to a later figure that will destroy evil.

Is it possible that Zoroaster was originally a Hebrew personality?

Is it possible that Zoroastrianism developed, according to syncretism, notions that originated among the Hebrews?

This is the 'yes' premise of this article series.

To be continued in Part 2.