12/8/11- Prophecy that the Messiah Would Be Presented with Gifts

12/8- Day 12- Light the first two candles. Presented with gifts- Psalm 72:10; Mathew 2:1,11

⁸He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth. 
⁹They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him, and his enemies shall lick the dust.
¹⁰The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents; the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts. (Psalm 72:8-10)

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the East to Jerusalem, ²saying, "Where is He that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him."… ¹¹And when they 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 unto Him gifts: gold and frankincense and myrrh. (Matthew 2:1,2,11)

(Byzantine Mosaic-early depiction of Magi 565 Ravenna Italy)

Thoughts: This was applied to Solomon- but also to the Messiah.  The ones who lived in Seba and Sheba the Sabeans, lived in Arabia (Nezikin, JM).  The wise men were considered “men of the east” by most scholars noted for their soothsaying (Is. 2:6).  Arabia was also called the land of the east (Gen. 25:6), and the presents they gave were products of that area.   (JM p. 174). 
     This indicates to us the kingship of Christ and that He is worthy of our worship and our gifts.  Wise men still seek Him. That is a saying we should not forget.  Christ is worthy of all that we are, because He sacrificially came and sacrificially died for our behalf- for our good.  In gratitude to God and inspired by the Spirit, we should come and worship and give to Him.

Prayer: Lord you are worthy of our time, talents, and gifts.  Help us not to take you for granted.

(Sarcophagi stone work in Rome 4^th cent depicting magi bearing gifts)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHf1p3C8iVw