Alastair's Adversaria - The Gifts of Epiphany

Starting point is 00:00:00 The following reflection is entitled The Gifts of Epiphany. It was first published on the Anchored Argosy. The Feast of Epiphany gives us occasion to think about the visit of the Magi to the infant Jesus. The Gifts of the Magi, gold, frankincense and myrrh, should draw our minds back to several earlier passages in Scripture. In 1 Kings chapter 10 verses 23 to 25 and 2 Chronicles chapter 9 verses 22 to 24, at the height of Solomon's reign, we read of the kings of the earth, bringing gifts to the son of David. Every one of them brought his present, articles of silver and gold, garments, myrrh, spices, horses and mules. Solomon is also connected with imagery of gold, frankincense, and myrrh in the Song of Songs, Chapter 3, verses 6 to 10.

Starting point is 00:00:52 There the palanquin of Solomon also evokes the wilderness tabernacle. What is that coming up from the wilderness, like columns of smoke? perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all the fragrant powders of a merchant. Behold, it is the litter of Solomon. Around it are sixty mighty men, some of the mighty men of Israel, all of them wearing swords and expert in war, each with his sword at his thigh, against terror by night. King Solomon made himself a carriage from the wood of Lebanon. He made its posts of silver, its back of gold, its seat of purple. Its interior was inlaid with light. love by the daughters of Jerusalem. The Song of Songs is also filled with imagery of gold,

Starting point is 00:01:37 frankincense, and myrrh, presenting the lovers as glorious and delightful to each other. Chapter 4 verse 6. Until the day breathes and the shadows flee, I will go away to the mountain of mur and the hill of frankincense. Chapter 4 verses 12 to 15. A garden locked is my sister, my bride, a spring locked, a fountain sealed, your shoots are an orchard of pomegranates, with all choicest fruits, henna with gna with nard, nard and saffron, calumous and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense, myr and aloes, with all choice spices, a garden fountain, a well of living water, and flowing streams from Lebanon. The woman describes her lover as having a head like the finest gold, His arms as rods of gold, his legs as alabaster columns set on bases of gold,

Starting point is 00:02:33 and his lips as lilies dripping liquid myrrh, Song Songs chapter 5 verses 10 to 16. Moving into the prophetic literature, Isaiah chapter 60 verses 1 to 7 describes, with the appearance of a new light in the darkness of the nations, an influx of the treasures of the nations into Israel for the glorification of the Lord's Temple. Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples. But the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you, and nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.

Starting point is 00:03:18 Lift up your eyes all around and see, they all gather together, they come to you, Your sons shall come from afar, and your daughters shall be carried on the hip. Then you shall see and be radiant. Your heart shall thrill and exalt. Because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you. The wealth of the nation shall come to you. A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephor. All those from Sheba shall come.

Starting point is 00:03:46 They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall bring good news, the praises of the Lord. all the flocks of Cadar shall be gathered to you, the Rams of Neviah shall minister to you, they shall come up with acceptance on my altar, and I will beautify my beautiful house. Gold, frankincense and myrrh are first associated with the tabernacle in Exodus chapter 25 to 31. The gold was used for the central treasures of the house,

Starting point is 00:04:16 the ark, mercy seat, table, lampstand, and altar of incense. The myrr was used for the anointing oil, the frankincense was used for the incense. The magi coming from afar with these particular gifts evoke a world of scriptural associations. Jesus is the glorious son of David, the greater than Solomon, the king of kings, to whom the nations will come for wisdom and with tribute. As the gifts of the Egyptians supplied materials for the tabernacle, King Hiram of Tyre gave cedar for sorts. Solomon's temple, King Cyrus of Persia gave gold and other treasures for the rebuilding of the temple.

Starting point is 00:04:57 So the Magi represent a Gentile interest in and concern for the new temple. Jesus is the eschatological light of Isaiah chapter 60, to whom the nations are drawn. He is the new temple or dwelling place of God, God with us, to which all people shall come with gifts to build it up and beautify it. Haggai chapter 2 verses 6 to 9 Jesus is the great high priest anointed with myr, bearing incense in the golden throne room. We might also reflect upon these as sacred treasures belonging to the sanctuary,

Starting point is 00:05:34 perhaps also reflect upon the opening of Christ's centred tomb as the unlocking of a treasure house. Jesus is also the bridegroom, who has come for his bride the answer to all longings, receiving the magnificent and wonderful treasures of rulers of the nations who have earnestly desired his appearing. A blessed epiphany to you all. Thank you very much for listening.

Starting point is 00:06:01 If you'd like to support this and other work like it, here and elsewhere, please consider doing so using my Patreon or PayPal accounts. The links to those are below. If you'd like to read this and other reflections of this kind, you can do so for free on our substack, the Anchored Argosy, Again, the link to that will be below.

Starting point is 00:06:21 God bless.

Alastair's Adversaria - The Gifts of Epiphany

There aren't comments yet for this episode. Click on any sentence in the transcript to leave a comment.