Yesterday, I wrote about the number of Magi who attended Jesus a year or so after he was born. I mentioned the fact that their visit was a fulfillment of prophecy, but also prophetic.
I showed where they were prophetic fulfillment, but not how they were prophetic. Let’s consider that today.
We know that the magi (not kings) brought gifts. We don’t know how many gifts they brought, but the Scriptures tell us of three.
Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary, his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way. Matthew 2:7-12 ESV
At a minimum, these distinguished visitors brought an offering of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Each of these gifts tells us something about the Christ.
Gold was costly and was generally not given to commoners. God was often a symbol for deity, and pagans covered their idols with it. Even the Ark of the Covenant was covered in gold (Exodus 25:10-17). God was a gift for the gods. Jesus is God.
One source says of the frankincense, “Frankincense is a white resin or gum. It is obtained from a tree by making incisions in the bark and allowing the gum to flow out. It is highly fragrant when burned and was therefore used in worship, where it was burned as a pleasant offering to God (Exodus 30:34).”
Frankincense symbolizes holiness and righteousness. In a few short years, Christ would give himself up as an offering for sin.
Myrrh is a spice similar to frankincense that was often used as an embalming spice. That drink was given to Christ on the cross (Mark 15:23, Matthew 27:34). It symbolizes affliction and suffering. Our Lord was afflicted and suffered on the cross when he was crucified.
The gifts of the wise men acknowledged his kingship and pointed to his death and suffering.
They may not have been believers, but God used the astrologers/astronomers from the east to reveal who His Son is.
Hallelu Yah (Praise God)
Be blessed,
Kevin
