THEOSISJohn Chrysostom
In His desire to redeem those who had strayed, God permitted a slight alteration in the worship practices observed by the Gentiles in service to idols, guiding them gradually away from their idolatrous ways toward greater understanding. This was evident with the Magi, to whom He revealed a star, elevating them with the highest honor. After leading them to the manger, He no longer used the star for guidance but sent an angel to instruct them, facilitating their ascent to the divine. God acted similarly towards the residents of Ascalon and Gaza. When the five Philistine cities were beset by a deadly plague upon the arrival of the ark and could find no way to escape their affliction, they convened their wise men to seek counsel on how to rid themselves of the divine scourge. The wise men advised that they take two unyoked cows that had just calved, harness them together and let them roam freely, observing whether the plague was truly from God or merely a natural occurrence.