When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:

 “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
    are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler
    who will shepherd my people Israel.’”  Matthew 2:3-6

            The wise men from the East (probably the Babylon/Persia area) knew about Old Testament prophecies and were looking for the signs in the skies.  Magi or wise men of that area had a variety of expertise: astrology, medicine, history, dreams, etc.  They not only read the scriptures (probably left from the time of the exile and Daniel) but watched the skies too.  When they saw the astrological phenomenon in the sky (Numbers 24:17), they referenced Micah 5:2-6 and found the prophecy about Bethlehem. 

            The wise men were searching for the Messiah, but the not the priests.  The religious community never embraced Jesus who disrupted their power and way of life.  Wise men always seek and find.