#@magi

-> Magiranger 11

Part I of my December message covers the 1st of the 3 gifts of the Magi in Matthew 2:11 - “...they saw the younger child...and fell down and worshipped him...opened their treasures...they presented unto him gifts; gold.  Gold is known for being a store of true wealth having the chemical properties of scarcity, malleability, inertness, durability, and uniformity (Jim Rickards, The New Case For Gold, p 29-33).   The magi gave three gifts that were a shadow or a type of the child who was to become the Messiah.

First, gold is scarce. The child was himself a gift bestowed by God the Father of great value as the only Begotten son. The child would also bring the gift of eternal life. This gift was of the greatest eternal value, as gold brings a more durable store of wealth in today’s temporal world (Rev 3:16).  

Second, gold is malleable. It can be molded into any shape...rings, jewelry, or coins for example, and yet not be destroyed. Yet, then it can be melted down and reshaped into any other form after that. Perhaps this was the fact that the child was “made flesh” and dwelt among men. He would be “taking shape” as the Word (Greek Logos) made flesh.  (see John 1:1, 14). Later, He would be “changed” from death to a state of resurrection, seemingly being indestructible. 

Third, gold is inert. It is not changeable. It is not likely to “mix” with other elements in nature, or be changed by them chemically. This is just as the Christ would be from eternity, and unchangeable.

Fourth, gold is durable and keeps its store of value when other sources of wealth might be unreliable, such as fiat money today. Through His atonement, the Christ child would through the culmination of His mission, bring about the availability of the everlasting mercy of God (1 Chron 16:34).  It is significant that the mercy seat of the arc of the covenant was constructed of pure gold (Exodus 25:17).  Again, eternal life is also prefigured as being durable in its value (Proverbs 8:18).

Lastly, gold is uniform. Gold is recognized throughout time to be a dependable form of currency in all the world. One day it is said “every knee shall bow and every tongue confess” that Jesus is the Christ.