As by faith Abraham went forth at the call of God, "not knowing whither he went" (Heb. 11:8); as by faith Israel followed the pillar of cloud to the Promised Land, so did these Gentiles go forth to find the promised Saviour. The Eastern country abounded in precious things, and the magi did not set out empty-handed. It was the custom to offer presents as an act of homage to princes or other personages of rank, and the richest gifts the land afforded were borne as an offering to Him in whom all the families of the earth were to be blessed. It was necessary to journey by night in order to keep the star in view; but the travelers beguiled the hours by repeating traditional sayings and prophetic utterances concerning the One they sought. At every pause for rest they searched the prophecies; and the conviction deepened that they were divinely guided. While they had the star before them as an outward sign, they had also the inward evidence of the Holy Spirit, which was impressing their hearts, and inspiring them with hope. The journey, though long, was a happy one to them.

Ligesom Abraham i tro fulgte Guds kald, "skønt han ikke vidste, hvor han kom hen" (Hebr. 11,8); ligesom Israel i tro fulgte efter skystøtten til Det forjættede Land, sådan drog disse hedninger ud for at finde den forjættede Frelser. Der fandtes i Østerland en rigdom af kostbarheder, og vismændene drog ikke tomhændede af sted. Det var skik at komme med gaver som en hyldest til fyrster eller andre rangspersoner, og det allerbedste, som kunne fremskaffes der i landet, blev medbragt som en offergave til ham, i hvem alle jordens slægter skulle velsignes. Man var nødt til at rejse om natten for at holde sig stjernen for øje; men de rejsende fordrev tiden med at gentage overleverede udtalelser og profetiske forudsigelser om ham, som de søgte. Hver gang de holdt rast, granskede de profetierne, og de fik en stadig dybere overbevisning om, at de var under guddommelig ledelse. Så længe de havde stjernen for øje som et synligt tegn, følte de også i deres indre Helligåndens vidnesbyrd, som betog deres sind og indgav dem håb. Skønt rejsen var lang, var den en lykkelig tid for dem.