The light of God is ever shining amid the darkness of heathenism. As these magi studied the starry heavens, and sought to fathom the mystery hidden in their bright paths, they beheld the glory of the Creator. Seeking clearer knowledge, they turned to the Hebrew Scriptures. In their own land were treasured prophetic writings that predicted the coming of a divine teacher. Balaam belonged to the magicians, though at one time a prophet of God; by the Holy Spirit he had foretold the prosperity of Israel and the appearing of the Messiah; and his prophecies 60 had been handed down by tradition from century to century. But in the Old Testament the Saviour's advent was more clearly revealed. The magi learned with joy that His coming was near, and that the whole world was to be filled with a knowledge of the glory of the Lord.

Lyset fra Gud skinner altid midt i hedenskabets mørke. Da disse vise mænd granskede den stjerneklare himmel og forsøgte at udforske de hemmeligheder, der skjulte sig i stjernernes strålende baner, så de Skaberens herlighed. Da de søgte en klarere forståelse, henvendte de sig til de hebraiske skrifter. I deres eget land var der bevaret profetiske Skrifter, som forudsagde en guddommelig lærers komme. Bileam hørte til magerne, skønt han en tid var en af Guds profeter. Ved Helligånden forudsagde han Israels lykkelige fremtid og Messias' komme; og hans profetier var gennem overleveringerne nået fra slægt til slægt. Men i Det gamle Testamente var Frelserens komme blevet klarere åbenbaret. Vismændene erfarede med glæde, at hans komme var nært forestående, og at hele verden skulle fyldes med kendskab til Herrens herlighed.