Breaking Hell's Economy by Joseph Z

Author:Joseph Z
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781680319453
Publisher: Harrison House

Chapter Thirteen

WORSHIP THE KING

The magi had traveled 750 kilometers, or 466 miles, from the Persian Empire to Roman territory. Accompanied by an army of elite forces, these magi were without fear while passing through Roman territory. They arrived to ask Herod where the King of the Jews was because they were there to worship the Messiah. Herod saw these men with their army and considered their question a major threat to his reign as king. He knew at that moment that he had a contender for the throne, which had been given to him by Caesar Augustus. These magi were not afraid of anything; they were the most elite special force in the world and a force to be reckoned with.

Now, the entourage that came with them had a history in Rome. When you study history, you realize these guys already had run-ins with Rome. Some commentators even suggest that the magi had once temporarily removed Herod from office before and then reinstated him.

The people of Jerusalem probably felt like citizens in the movie Independence Day, when in the movie they woke up to fifteen-mile-wide alien saucers over their significant cities and were highly terrified. They knew who this military entourage was, which possibly numbered in the hundreds or even thousands. I discovered something important about their visitation—the gifts they brought were part of what shook Herod and the whole of Jerusalem at large. Let’s talk about these items they brought for the Messiah.

BEFITTING GIFTS FOR THE KING

Typically, the king’s culture demands that when kingmakers visit a new king, they don’t just go to worship him. They also must come bearing gifts. I want to emphasize something before we proceed. I told you about the ancient world’s Silk Road trade system and the precious commodities they traded. As a rational person, what kind of gifts do you think they would bring to honor and anoint a king whom they believed was the King of the world? Bear in mind, they aimed to impress and stand out like real kingmakers, who came to anoint the greatest king they’ve ever heard of or met. Think about it—do you think they would travel that far from home, pass through military zones with their awestruck army, in order to present a substandard gift to the King of the world? I don’t think so. Remember we said the most valuable commodities on the Silk Road were gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The Bible tells us that this was precisely what the magi, being led by a star, brought to baby Jesus while He was in the manger.

Jesus was given gifts beyond comprehension. Do you realize that these gifts were given directly to Jesus and not His parents? Yes, that was the case. Jesus entered this world rich. It means that He probably had more money than everyone in that region because of the kind of gifts He received as a baby. These gifts presented to Jesus became His royal property as a king.

GIFTS EQUAL TO THE RECIPIENT

The wise men brought gifts that were equivalent to the recipient.

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