Field and fountain, moor and mountain
Following yonder star
Three Prophesies:
Gold, Frankincense, & Myrrh
One of our most familiar Christmas carols tells how the wise men journeyed from the east to worship the young child Jesus (Matt 2:1-6).
In some churches, their visit is commemorated during the Feast of Epiphany (Twelfth Night) on January 6.
From the carol, we know that the Magi honored Christ with three special gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Each gift served an important practical purpose, but the song reveals that each treasure carried prophetic significance as well.
King forever, ceasing never
Over us all to reign
1. Gold—King
The gift of gold has always been symbolic of wealth and royalty, and was an appropriate gift to honor a king. Since the Christ child was also the Son of God and the King of Kings (Rev. 17:14) gold was a fitting gift for the Magi to offer the Lord Jesus as they worshipped him. It's believed that this gift of gold financed Mary and Joseph’s flight to Egypt.
It’s interesting that when God was structuring the nation of Israel in the wilderness under Moses, He told them to build a tabernacle in which He could "dwell among them" (Exodus 25:8). When he gave the pattern that they were to follow in building the tabernacle and its furnishings, many things were either made of gold or overlaid with gold.
When King Solomon built the temple to replace the tabernacle, there was also gold everywhere (1 Kings 6:2-22). However, as beautiful and meaningful as they were, the tabernacle and the temple were only types of God's future home among His people. The heavenly city and its streets, the New Jerusalem, will be completely fashioned of pure gold
(Revelation 21:18-21).
Incense owns a Deity nigh
Pray’r and praising, all men raising
Worship Him, God most high
2. Frankincense—Priest
Frankincense was highly valued in Israel as incense and a perfume (Song of Songs 3:6; 4:6). Made from the dried resin of Boswellia trees...
Please join me over at Susannah's {Kitchen} for the rest of this post. See you very soon! Blessings, e-Mom
Up Next—Brown Crayon Meets 1 Cor. 13
Was any of this information new to you?
5 Comments:
Well where you peeking into my computer yesterday? This is what I was researching...the essential oils given as gifts to Jesus. Also going over when the wise man came and how many came? We are going to do a fun quiz on Christmas...seeing if I can stump my older ones.
Thanks for your research...I will add it to mine.
Great and fun post!
Via Susannah's {Kitchen} Hip-Chick said...
This is very interesting information. Thank you for sharing it. I have always loved this song.
Via Susannah's {Kitchen} GlowinGirl said...
Great article! Several years ago, we began giving our children three gifts to open since Jesus received three gifts at his birth. We give a really special gift, an educational gift and a practical gift. A friend of mine recently sent me this article that I found really interesting . . . makes me think we may tweak out giving a bit.
http://www.crosswalk.com/parenting/11642237/
Via Susannah's {Kitchen} Momma Mindy said...
Beautiful posts, thank you for sharing the spiritual insights. The wood overlaid with gold is a beautiful picture of our salvation. Weak, sinful men covered with salvation from the King of Kings. I love posts like this that remind us of our beautiful Savior.
I will NEVER get over the perfect and detailed purpose of God in ALL things. Everything He does has purpose - He never orchestrates anything for 'no good reason' Makes me want to worship!
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