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Follow The Star · Bible in a Year with Jack Graham

• 0:00
  Speaker 1: Where is he who was born King of the Jews?
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  Speaker 1: For we saw his star when it rose and have
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  Speaker 1: come to worship him. Matthew 2.2 Dear Lord Jesus, lead us,
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  Speaker 1: like the wise men, to seek you with eager hearts.
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  Speaker 1: May we be drawn to your light, following the guidance
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  Speaker 1: of your Spirit, and be filled with a longing to
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  Speaker 1: worship you in spirit and in truth. in this season
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  Speaker 1: and always, help us to focus our hearts on you,
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  Speaker 1: the King of Kings, the one who came to bring salvation, love,
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  Speaker 1: and eternal life. May we approach you with reverence, humility,
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  Speaker 1: and joy, recognizing the immense gift of your presence in
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  Speaker 1: our lives. Thank you for the example of the wise
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  Speaker 1: men who teach us to seek, to follow, and to
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  Speaker 1: adore you with unwavering devotion. In the precious name of Jesus,
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  Speaker 1: the bright and morning star, we pray.
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  Speaker 2: Amen.
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  Speaker 3: After dedicating Jesus in the temple, Mary and Joseph departed
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  Speaker 3: back to Bethlehem.
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  Speaker 2: They remained there.
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  Speaker 3: In a small home near the very inn that showed
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  Speaker 3: them mercy. It was a sanctuary where they could nurture
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  Speaker 3: their child and build a place of love, tenderness and honour.
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  Speaker 2: Towards the Lord.
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  Speaker 3: Joseph worked in town, thriving despite his family's rejection. They
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  Speaker 3: remained there while Mary recovered, awaiting God's next prompting. In
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  Speaker 3: the quiet bliss of Bethlehem, with its green rolling hills
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  Speaker 3: and lush open fields, they found solace and strength, their
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  Speaker 3: hearts filled with the knowledge that they were a part
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  Speaker 3: of something greater than themselves. They were the guardians of
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  Speaker 3: a promise, the bearers of a hope that would ignite
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  Speaker 3: the world. And in the soft cooing of their baby,
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  Speaker 3: they saw the.
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  Speaker 2: Reflection of eternity.
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  Speaker 3: As night draped over the horizon, Joseph and Mary cradled
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  Speaker 3: the babe in their arms as they looked out at
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  Speaker 3: the stars. A peculiar star fixed above them like a
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  Speaker 3: guardian angel. Its light was radiating brighter than the others,
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  Speaker 3: pulsing with light like a beating heart. Little did they know.
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  Speaker 3: This star was a signal beckoning a group of noblemen
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  Speaker 3: from the East. They were masters of astronomy and prophecy.
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  Speaker 3: Some called them alchemists. Others called them kings. Legends would
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  Speaker 3: herald them as magi.
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  Speaker 4: Hello, I'm Jack Graham with today's episode of the Bible
• 2:47
  Speaker 4: in a Year podcast.
• 2:49
  Speaker 5: But before we begin.
• 2:50
  Speaker 4: I want to let you know about a unique e-book
• 2:53
  Speaker 4: that's yours to download absolutely free today. It's called Breaking
• 2:58
  Speaker 4: Free from Stress. And my prayer is that it will
• 3:01
  Speaker 4: help you conquer the daily tasks and pressures and burdens
• 3:04
  Speaker 4: that bring stress in your life. Download your free copy
• 3:08
  Speaker 4: of Breaking Free from Stress today by visiting jackgram.org slash stress.
• 3:14
  Speaker 4: That's jackgram.org slash stress. This episode introduces us to the Magi.
• 3:21
  Speaker 4: Many movies and dramatizations have been made around these mysterious
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  Speaker 4: biblical figures. Who were they? And how did they come
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  Speaker 4: to discover Jesus? While none of us can be certain,
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  Speaker 4: many historical and biblical arrows point us in the right direction.
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  Speaker 4: The term magi, magoi, in ancient Greek, has been the
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  Speaker 4: source of misconceptions and myths. These travelers were not kings,
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  Speaker 4: but wise men, astronomers, possibly part of a larger company,
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  Speaker 4: and arriving likely months or even years after Jesus' birth.
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  Speaker 4: In ancient times, the term encompassed a wide range of
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  Speaker 4: individuals interested in dreams, astrology, alchemy, magic, and prophecies. The
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  Speaker 4: Magi's connection with astronomy and their pursuit of knowledge transcending
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  Speaker 4: earthly wisdom uniquely positions them in the biblical narrative. Being
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  Speaker 4: from the East, the Magi may have been among Jews
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  Speaker 4: exiled centuries earlier, or at least influenced by them. Their
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  Speaker 4: understanding of the Messiah's promise indicates an alignment with Jewish
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  Speaker 4: traditions and prophecies. Some have surmised that these wise men
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  Speaker 4: were part of a similar order to Daniel when he
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  Speaker 4: was captive in Babylon. The blend of worldly wisdom and
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  Speaker 4: spiritual expectation made them perfect seekers for the Christ child.
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  Speaker 4: Historical accounts tell us that the expectation of a Messiah
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  Speaker 4: or great ruler from Judea was widespread during this time.
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  Speaker 4: Roman historians Suetonius and Tacitus noted the prevailing belief that
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  Speaker 4: rulers from Judea were destined to rise up against Rome.
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  Speaker 4: This expectation set the stage for the Magi's journey. Though
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  Speaker 4: the Magi were most likely not kings, the tradition that
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  Speaker 4: portrays them as such can be traced back to early
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  Speaker 4: Christian thinkers like Tertullian. Influenced by Old Testament passages predicting
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  Speaker 4: that kings would worship the Messiah, the myth evolved, even
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  Speaker 4: assigning them names, Melchior, Caspar, and Balthasar. Today's episode will
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  Speaker 4: follow that tradition, focusing on three wise men instead of dozens.
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  Speaker 4: Today's story highlights the star hovering above Bethlehem. The star
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  Speaker 4: the wise men followed to find Jesus. Many theories about
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  Speaker 4: the star's nature exist, ranging from planetary conjunctions to supernovas
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  Speaker 4: or comets. Regardless of its origin, the star was a
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  Speaker 4: divine guide, meeting the astronomers in their medium. God has
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  Speaker 4: a beautiful way of meeting people where they are. Some
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  Speaker 4: even believe this star fulfilled an obscure prophecy in Numbers 24,
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  Speaker 4: verse 17. A star shall come out of Jacob. Regardless,
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  Speaker 4: the star was Christ's star, a moving sign pointing others
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  Speaker 4: to him. Let's follow that star together. Afterward, we'll unpack
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  Speaker 4: deep truths from the story.
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  Speaker 3: Past the vast deserts of the Far East, tucked between
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  Speaker 3: ancient kingdoms and new empires, was a place untouched by time.
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  Speaker 2: There, in a palace hewn.
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  Speaker 3: From ivory and cedar, lived three noble scholars known.
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  Speaker 2: As the Magi.
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  Speaker 3: They were rulers over a secret order, descendants of the
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  Speaker 3: exiled Jews who remained in the Babylonian Empire. Their names
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  Speaker 3: were Kaspar, Melchior, and Belshazzar. Kaspar, the eldest, was an
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  Speaker 3: ancient astronomer whose wisdom was sought by kings and queens.
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  Speaker 3: Weathered by age, his eyes held a spark that transcended
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  Speaker 3: his years. Melchior was a philosopher and a mathematician. His mind,
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  Speaker 3: sharp and unerring, was always searching for the elusive truth
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  Speaker 3: behind all things. Belshazzar was an alchemist, a master of transformations.
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  Speaker 3: and a keeper of secrets that danced at.
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  Speaker 2: The edge of the mystical.
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  Speaker 3: Together they were masters of the stars, scholars knowledgeable of
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  Speaker 3: ancient prophecies, and men of science and intrigue. Their days
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  Speaker 3: were filled with steadying the skies, unraveling mysteries, and pursuing
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  Speaker 3: knowledge that had slipped through the fingers of time. The
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  Speaker 3: order of the Magi was mysterious, wealthy, and independent of
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  Speaker 3: any ruling nation or cultural creed. They were diverse, and
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  Speaker 3: their only loyalty was to the relentless pursuit of wisdom, truth,
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  Speaker 3: and knowledge. Nights were often a time of reflection and
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  Speaker 3: debate for the three wise men. In the heart of
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  Speaker 3: their observatory, surrounded by scrolls, maps, and ancient texts, they
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  Speaker 3: would gather around a flickering fire to discuss life's most
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  Speaker 3: profound quandaries. Together, they cut the silence of the night
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  Speaker 3: with their rigorous debate and inspired rhetoric.
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  Speaker 5: On one such night, as the Magi.
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  Speaker 3: Debated the nature of existence and destiny, the universe unveiled
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  Speaker 3: its most profound secret. Melchior's voice, musical and resonant, filled
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  Speaker 3: the room. What is fate, if not the tapestry woven
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  Speaker 3: by our choices? Are we not the authors of fate?
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  Speaker 3: Does not every decision we make add another thread to
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  Speaker 3: our destiny?
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  Speaker 2: Mmm, fate, Casper mused.
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  Speaker 5: Fate is the path we walk, guided by the stars.
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  Speaker 5: It is a predestined path that we choose to walk in.
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  Speaker 5: Fate is like a mighty current that pulls us. We
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  Speaker 5: can swim against it, or allow its pull to lead
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  Speaker 5: us towards our destiny.
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  Speaker 2: Belshazzar's eyes twinkled.
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  Speaker 5: You say fate is a path that's set for us
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  Speaker 5: by the stars themselves, and yet the stars themselves are
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  Speaker 5: guided by something greater. Is there not something or someone
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  Speaker 5: greater than the stars? Perhaps it is God their maker,
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  Speaker 5: and therefore the author of fate.
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  Speaker 3: Their eyes turned skyward where the stars held court, each
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  Speaker 3: a story in the grand saga of existence. Their philosophical
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  Speaker 3: meandering was a nightly occurrence. Together, they searched the stars
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  Speaker 3: and scrolls, unraveling the secrets of the universe. Their gaze
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  Speaker 3: was always upward, not just at the stars, but at the.
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  Speaker 2: One who created them.
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  Speaker 3: Although they were worlds apart, men, indoctrinated by ancient mysticism
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  Speaker 3: and alchemy, they had always maintained ties to their lineage,
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  Speaker 3: the Hebrew exiles taken from Babylon. In fact, the three
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  Speaker 3: men were believed to be direct descendants of Daniel himself.
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  Speaker 3: The three scholars gazed at the stars, recording anomalies and
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  Speaker 3: mapping constellations. It was then that it appeared. A mysterious
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  Speaker 3: star hovered in the distance. Its light was vibrant with
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  Speaker 3: a silvery-blue hue. It was unlike anything they had seen before.
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  Speaker 3: The room fell into a hushed silence. The fires crackled.
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  Speaker 2: Now at distant murmur.
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  Speaker 5: Do you see it?
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  Speaker 3: Kaspar whispered, his voice tinged with awe. Belshazzar nodded, his
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  Speaker 3: eyes wide.
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  Speaker 2: Yes, it seems to be fixed in one space.
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  Speaker 3: How strange.
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  Speaker 2: It is hovering over the region of Judea. Belshazzar's heart pounded.
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  Speaker 5: Could it be?
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  Speaker 3: His hands shook as he ran down the coiled staircase
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  Speaker 3: to the library. The library was vast and filled with
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  Speaker 3: members of the Order. His students were awake. 'steadying at
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  Speaker 3: their respective desks.' Bring me the Law of Moses!
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  Speaker 2: Belshazzar commanded.' Bring me the scroll!
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  Speaker 3: A student handed him the scroll of Moses,' and he
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  Speaker 3: darted back up the stairs.' Here we are!' Belshazzar said
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  Speaker 3: with laboured breath, 'spreading the scroll on the table.
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  Speaker 5: Look!
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  Speaker 3: He traced his fingers to the Book of Numbers,' where
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  Speaker 3: an obscure passage came to light.
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  Speaker 6: A star shall come out of Jacob.' A scepter shall
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  Speaker 6: rise out of Israel.'' Melchior read aloud.' Many believed that
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  Speaker 6: the coming of the Messiah would be heralded by a
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  Speaker 6: star over Israel. The three of them looked towards the horizon.
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  Speaker 6: A profound understanding settled over them. They were being called
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  Speaker 6: upon to bear witness to something greater than themselves.
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  Speaker 2: We must go, Melchior said with glee. The king of
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  Speaker 2: the Jews has come.
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  Speaker 5: What did I tell you?
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  Speaker 2: Caspar exclaimed.
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  Speaker 5: Perhaps fate can be found in the stars after all.
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  Speaker 3: The room fell into a deep and contemplative silence, each
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  Speaker 3: man lost in his thoughts, feeling the weight of destiny
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  Speaker 3: upon them. The following days were a flurry of activity.
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  Speaker 3: They informed their students, servants, and fellow magi, all equally
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  Speaker 3: captivated by the significance of the star. The assembly of
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  Speaker 3: the caravan was a task that required meticulous planning and preparation.
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  Speaker 3: Treasures were gathered, gifts fit for a king, packed with
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  Speaker 3: great care and purpose. Gold stored in chests of cypress
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  Speaker 3: and bronze, frankincense held in jars of glass blown by
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  Speaker 3: Egyptian craftsmen, and myrrh held in linen bags. Camels were
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  Speaker 3: laden with supplies, tents were rolled, and.
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  Speaker 2: Scrolls were carefully stowed.
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  Speaker 3: The scholars, servants, and students worked in unison their actions
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  Speaker 3: guided by a sense of higher purpose. As the day
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  Speaker 3: of departure arrived, the three magi stood overlooking their assembled caravan,
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  Speaker 3: a procession that stretched and wound like a.
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  Speaker 2: River through the desert. Caspar's voice was thick with emotion.
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  Speaker 5: We don't even know what we're looking for.
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  Speaker 3: Melchior nodded. Yes, we are leaving with many questions. My
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  Speaker 3: aim is to return with answers. Belshazzar looked to the west,
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  Speaker 3: where the star beckoned.
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  Speaker 5: The road will be long, my brothers. We will have
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  Speaker 5: plenty of time to ask questions.
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  Speaker 3: With a final look at their home, they mounted their
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  Speaker 3: camels and signaled the caravan to move. As they ventured
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  Speaker 3: into the desert, the star, their constant guide, they knew
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  Speaker 3: that their journey was about more than miles and landscapes.
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  Speaker 3: They were traveling into the heart of a mystery, guided
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  Speaker 3: by faith and bound by destiny.
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  Speaker 4: The Magi's journey is a profound metaphor for our spiritual journeys.
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  Speaker 4: They were seekers guided by the world's wisdom, but attuned
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  Speaker 4: to the whispers of the divine. Wisdom without faith can
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  Speaker 4: be empty and faith without wisdom can be blind. The
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  Speaker 4: Magi's wisdom led them to the star, but their faith
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  Speaker 4: guided them to the Messiah. Like them, We are called
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  Speaker 4: to blend our knowledge and understanding with a deep faith
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  Speaker 4: in God. God has this wonderful way of using what's
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  Speaker 4: around us to draw us to himself. For Mary, it
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  Speaker 4: was a visitation from Gabriel. For Joseph, it was a dream.
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  Speaker 4: For the shepherds, it was an angelic choir. For these magi,
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  Speaker 4: it was an anomaly in the constellations. God is not
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  Speaker 4: confined to one method of divine intervention. Romans 1, verse
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  Speaker 4: 20 tells us that God's divine nature is revealed through creation.
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  Speaker 4: Although outside the Jewish bubble of Israel, these magi were
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  Speaker 4: met by God and responded to his prompting. The magi's
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  Speaker 4: response was immediate and decisive when they discovered the star.
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  Speaker 4: They embarked on a difficult journey, guided by a star,
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  Speaker 4: not fully comprehending what awaited them. This teaches us the
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  Speaker 4: value of obedience and trust in God's calling, even when
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  Speaker 4: the path is uncertain. May the star that guided the
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  Speaker 4: Magi also light our way, leading us to the one
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  Speaker 4: who is wisdom incarnate, the Word made flesh, and love personified.
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  Speaker 4: May we, with them, proclaim, We have seen this star
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  Speaker 4: in the east and have come to worship you. Join
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  Speaker 4: us for our next episode as the Magi arrive in
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  Speaker 4: Judea to meet King Herod, the Tetrarch and ruler of
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  Speaker 4: the region. Unbeknownst to these Magi, their arrival will be
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  Speaker 4: the first event in a chain of unfortunate and evil acts.
• 15:54
  Speaker 4: Thank you for listening to today's Bible in a Year podcast.
• 15:58
  Speaker 4: Before we go, I want to let you know about
• 16:00
  Speaker 4: a unique e-book that's yours to download absolutely free today.
• 16:05
  Speaker 4: It's called Breaking Free from Stress. And my prayer is
• 16:09
  Speaker 4: that it will help you conquer the daily tasks and
• 16:11
  Speaker 4: pressures and burdens that bring stress into your life. Download
• 16:15
  Speaker 4: your free copy of Breaking Free from Stress today by
• 16:19
  Speaker 4: visiting jackgram.org slash stress. That's jackgram.org slash stress.