THE MOST FOOLISH THING WISE PEOPLE CAN DO

TEXT: MATTHEW 2:1-12

Even wise people can do foolish things. Why did the wise men ever stop in their journey and ask the wicked King Herod for advice? First of all these men were so wise because they believed in the God of all creation.

Unlike some scientific community, they never doubted that an intelligent God had designed the universe. They believed that there is no design without a designer and no creation without a creator.

They looked into the heavens and believed that it was the handwork of God. Many who believe themselves to be intelligent, do not believe in the intelligence of God. God calls these men wise because they believed in the wisdom of God.

Second, they believed that the Bible was the inspired word of God.

There is only one verse in the Bible that refers to a “star.” Numbers 24:17 “A star shall come forth from Jacob and a scepter shall rise from Israel …..”

“A star of Jacob and a scepter or righteousness.” That means that there would be a star in Israel when the righteous king was to be born. The wise men were looking for a star. They followed the “little light.” They had to find Christ.

They believed that the Bible is the word of God.

Third, they were willing to take up a cross and followed Jesus.

The shepherd came to the major when they heard about the announcement of the birth of Jesus Christ from the angel. They had seen a host of angels in the sky praising God.

The gentile kings had very little revelation but in great love they moved by faith. They took about two (2) years to travel thousands of miles, they brought their expensive gifts.

But why did these wise men become so foolish? Let us learn:-

THEY BECAME FOOLISH-THEY STOPPED LOOKING UP.

• The star was still in the sky, when they took a detour to Jerusalem they lost it.
• As soon as they were obedient to go to Bethlehem the star reappeared.
• What caused those wise men to stop looking up?
• The beauty of the city of Jerusalem attracted them to go there!!
• You too will get distracted from God when you stop to look up-Heb. 12:1-2.
• How is your daily devotional life with God?

THEY BECAME FOOLISH-THEY THOUGHT THEY HAD ARRIVED, PREMATURELY.

• Many people quit too early in their Christian walk.
• These wise men thought they had arrived the moment they saw Jerusalem.
• They had some miles to walk yet.
• It was too early to take off their sandals.
• Do you think you have arrived, you have finished the task?
• Keep walking! My dear friends, you must get to Bethlehem!!

THEY BECAME FOOLISH-THEY ASSUMED THINGS THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE ASSUMED.

• The Bible tells us in Proverbs 3:5 not to rely on our own understanding “In all ways to acknowledge him.”
• They had assumed that “The King of the Jews” would be welcomed by the Jews-John 1:11-12.
• They had assumed that the king of the Jews would be born in the capital city-Jerusalem.
• All these assumptions would make good human sense and wisdom!!
• But, “God’s ways are not our ways”-Isaiah 55:8-9.
• Let us not assume but pray and ask God for wisdom!!

THEY BECAME FOOLISH-THEY EXPECTED THE WORLD TO ENCOURAGE THEM IN THEIR WALK FOR CHRIST.

• When King Herod and the whole of Jerusalem heard that their Messiah had been born, fear came over them.
• The people of Jerusalem had been blessed with reports from angels, shepherds, the Old Testament scriptures, the covenants, the Law of Moses, the prophets-but they sought not Christ.
• If you are expecting the world to pat you on the back for your Christian walk, you will be discouraged every day.

THE RESULTS OF “GETTING OFF TRACK”

1. Time is lost.

• These kings (wise men) lost precious time.
• Time is not reversible, time cannot be relived.
• You and I cannot get back the time we have it.

2. Babies die.

• If these wise men had not gone to King Herod, the thousands of babies would not have died.
• There are serious consequences with getting “off the track” and backsliding-babies die.

3. Families flee.

• Joseph, Mary and the child (Jesus) had to flee to Egypt. They stayed in Egypt for years!!
• Because of backsliding, we cause families to become dysfunctional, families to be uprooted.

To get back on track we must.

• Get away from the crowd. As soon as the wise men got out of Jerusalem, that star reappeared in the sky.
• Look up again; look unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.
• Renew your faith in the word of God.
• Follow the star-Jesus Christ by faith.
• Don’t look back-after worshipping the Christ child, the wise men went to their country through another way.

CONCLUSION

• A wise person will always yield to the wisdom of God.