Open Line program on Moody Radio on December 20, 2025. Hour 2 @6:09
Question from listener:
I have a question about Christmas. A friend asked me the other day, where the wise men came from? It doesn’t specifically say in the bible. But did they come somewhere in the East or has some historian provided more information on them?
Answer from Dr Michael Rydelnik:
https://www.moodyradio.org/radioplayer.aspx?episode=660698&hour=2
Summary of Answer:
Dr Michael Rydelnik says that the wise men were from the East and speculates that they were the same class of astronomer, wise men, king’s counselors that Daniel were part of 5 centuries earlier. And he left them the scripture, he left them the book of Daniel and as they read the scriptures like Numbers 24 about the star rising out of Jacob, Numbers 24:17-19 and when they saw the star, they knew it was the fulfilment of prophecy.
In Dr Michael Rydelnik’s opinion, he thinks the star that the wise men saw was not an actual star in the sky but it was the shekinah glory of God.
Numbers 24
17“I see Him, but not now;
I behold Him, but not near;
A Star shall come out of Jacob;
A Scepter shall rise out of Israel,
And batter the brow of Moab,
And destroy all the sons of tumult.
18“And Edom shall be a possession;
Seir also, his enemies, shall be a possession,
While Israel does valiantly.
19Out of Jacob One shall have dominion,
And destroy the remains of the city.”
-nkjv
17I 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.
18And Edom shall be a possession, Seir also shall be a possession for his enemies; and Israel shall do valiantly.
19Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion, and shall destroy him that remaineth of the city.
-kjv
17I see him, but not now;
I look at him, but not near;
A star shall appear from Jacob,
A scepter shall rise from Israel,
And shall smash the forehead of Moab,
And overcome all the sons of Sheth.
18“And Edom shall be a possession,
Seir, its enemies, also will be a possession,
While Israel performs valiantly.
19“One from Jacob shall rule,
And will eliminate the survivors from the city.”
-nasb
17“I see him, but not now;
I behold him, but not near.
A star will come out of Jacob;
a scepter will rise out of Israel.
He will crush the foreheads of Moab,
the skulls of all the people of Sheth.
18Edom will be conquered;
Seir, his enemy, will be conquered,
but Israel will grow strong.
19A ruler will come out of Jacob
and destroy the survivors of the city.” -niv
Meditations 
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