Bible Digging

A monthly Bible study feature

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December 1, 2006

Treasures for the Lord

When [the wise men] had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. — Matthew 2:11

Treasures opened for the Lord! This passage refers to the Magi, oriental wise men who, having discovered by the rising of a remarkable star that the Messiah had been born, came to Jerusalem to worship Him.

They were attracted by the renown of God's King, the Messiah born as King (Matthew 2:2). They came from afar to adore Him. The name "magi" was given by the Babylonians and others to wise men: teachers, priests, physicians, astrologers, seers, interpreters of dreams. The prophet Daniel had at one time been made their chief (Daniel 2:48). Of course, he did not engage in occult practices [as others might have done].

In contrast to these "wise men," the scribes and other Jewish leaders lived in Israel and knew exactly what was written in God's Word concerning the King who would come.

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting.
      - Micah 5:2