Chapter Five
A
lthough less than an hour into this night’s journey, the decision was quickly made to halt the caravan and reassess the approach to the mission. Night had fallen softly upon the countryside. Clouds above reflected light from Jerusalem causing eerie vapors to seem luminescent. Unseen shepherds, one standing solitary, watchful and alone tending sheep in the distance, the others asleep waiting their watch. “We shall abide here until morning.” As the slaves began building a fire, men of science and wisdom conferred together once again.
“This is the land of the Jews. What shall we do here? How shall we approach them? How can we learn why we have come among such a people? How shall we explain ourselves?” The astrologers were not unfamiliar with Jews. Indeed, many Jews lived in their own country, descendants of an ancient captivity.
Flames flickered brightly. Settling themselves upon cushions arranged in a semi-circle by slaves, food was served. Figs, grapes, olives, assorted meats, wine and goat’s milk. Perhaps no feast to these wealthy men, but to the hungry it might appear over-indulgent. This did not concern them.
“I have studied much on Jews,” one of them ventured. “They have been a part of our own culture since the days of Nebuchadnezzar.”
“Have you studied their Book?” asked another.
“You refer of course, to the writings of Moses,” said another, as if the question were absurd.
“They call it their Torah, God’s Law.”
“Do they not have books of poetry also?”
“The writings of David, Solomon and others. Other prophets arose during the time of captivity. Then of course, there was Daniel. Yes, and I have studied their rabbinical writings, Hillel and Shammai as well.”
“And now our star has led us to their land.”
“A king then, is born among them?”
“Exactly. And their God whom Nebuchadnezzar, Darius the Mede, Cyrus the Great and Ahasueras, all acknowledged, has brought us here to honor him.”
“You jest.” Flat. Cynical.
“I do not jest.”
“Merely honor, or worship?” More cynicism.
“We do not know. Perhaps we will find out when we find him.”
“And just how shall we do that? We can’t parade the whole caravan aimlessly through Jerusalem.” This seemed a legitimate, practical consideration. Having come this far, they were now faced with the issue of how to approach dwellers in a land foreign to them. Language was not the problem. Each of them spoke fluent Aramaic. But their dress, the armed guard, the ostentation, the impression they would make would nullify any meaningful intelligence.
“We stay here. We do not bring the caravan into the city just yet. We send slaves among the people. Let them inquire. Surely, the common folk will know. Then we follow.”
It took some arguing and deliberation but at length, they agreed on this procedure and slaves went out among the streets of Jerusalem asking, “Where is he that is born king of the Jews?”
