To those who believe the Bible is the Word of God, what was the significance of

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   Faith Reaperposted 11 years ago

   To those who believe the Bible is the Word of God, what was the significance of the three kings ...
   
   What was the significance of the three kings bringing frankincense, myrrh and gold to baby Jesus?
   
   

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   Jackie Lynnleyposted 11 years ago

   Well actually the bible does not give a number but since there are three separate gifts mentions it is assumed there were three wise men. My studies are a little rusty but I think I also read that they did not come when Jesus was in the manger but later on and they read the stars that a great man or king had been born. Hm, well the gold was of value; (maybe that helped them flee) these were rich men and the frankincense and myrrh were perfume or possibly perfumed soap to bath the baby Jesus in, just guessing and maybe for Mary too or for her to anoint him with in oil. I imagine back then those would really be important keeping a baby clean and smelling nice. Just my guess on it.  Which reminds me of later when another Mary perfumed His feet.

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      Faith Reaperposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Hi Jackie, yes ...they did come later following the stars. Those are interesting ideas about the gifts for sure. I think they were appropiate gifts for a king too. God bless.

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      Jackie Lynnleyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Wow, well thank you dear heart!

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      Faith Reaperposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      You're welcome sweetie.  All of the answers were great!  Hugs

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   Sunny Riverposted 11 years ago

   The number of magi is disputable, it could have been anywhere from two to a thousand for all we know.
   But, to your question. Frankincense is used to anoint with, often religiously, and so this was to "anoint" the King. Myrrh is used in embalming, which foreshadows to Jesus' death later on the cross and subsequent burial in a tomb. Also, tombs and embalming were something only the rich and royalty could afford (along with these two oils) and this again points to Jesus being a King. Lastly, the gold, which was something only a King would see in quantity and which Mary and Joseph (being of poorer origins) would not have seen much of. Another fun note is that without that gold, Mary and Joseph wouldn't have had any way of getting to Egypt to get away from Herod who very shortly thereafter was killing all the boys under two years old. The cost to travel there would not have been within their means without the perfectly timed gifts of the magi.
   In short, it points to Jesus being King, saves his life, and foreshadows to his future.

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      Faith Reaperposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thank yo so much, sunny river, for giving such a comprehensive answer and very interesting too! Blessings

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      Jackie Lynnleyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Yes of course you are absolutely right!

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      Faith Reaperposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Hi all..
      Thank you for your wonderful comments...I was trying to further comment and may have inadvertently chosen best answer when I did not mean to fo so. I did not give me an option to "make sure"... all answers are great!

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   grand old ladyposted 11 years ago

   I never thought about it, but I want to thank Sunny River for such a lovely answer to this question. It is very inspirational to know that from the beginning, the story of Jesus life was already foretold in these gifts from the Magi.

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      Sunny Riverposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      That's one of the wonderful things about the Bible. Everything foreshadows and points to Jesus.

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      Faith Reaperposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Yes grand old lady, thank you for your comment.  Blessings

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   Radical Rogposted 11 years ago

   Wise men from the East, the phrase 'from the east' point at astrological practices, as does the term Magi. Also, scripture does say they were looking to the stars for omens, something forbidden under Hebrew Law.
   As for the gifts, gold, frankincense and myrrh, frankincense and myrrh are both forms of incense, but so is gold, a colloquial name, based on its golden colour, for the incense sanderose. Mystics often burn all three together as a method, to put it simply, to get high. 
   So the young Jesus was visited by three hippy stargazers singing the new age anthem, Dawn of Aquarius.

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      Faith Reaperposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Hi Radical Rog, thank you so much for the very interesting answer.

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