The Life of Christ

2. Guidance comes in momentary flashes of revelation more often than long sustained beacons of direction.

3. The Star (Spirit) worked in tandem with the prophecy (Word).

Mt. 2:10-11 And when they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And they came into the house and saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell down and worshiped Him; and opening their treasures they presented to Him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh.

The Star led them to a house — not a manger; Jesus is now about two years old.

• Jewish tradition reports how a bright star was noticed at the bottom of a nearby well near the house in the reflection of the water below.

The three gifts given to Him represent three prophetic components of His ministry:

Gold spoke of His Kingship.

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• Frankincense was used in the manufacturing of precious ointments and perfumes, symbolizing our call to His worship. It was also burned as incense in the temple.

• Myrrh was used as an embalming agent, prophetic of His death.

These gifts were probably used to finance the hurried trip to Egypt.

• All three were easily transportable and marketable.

• God can provide the resources before the need as well as after.

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Mt. 2:12-13 And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their own country by another way. Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise and take the Child and His mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is going to search for the Child to destroy Him.”

To travel to Egypt was most difficult.

• It meant crossing the blistering Sinai Desert, considered a long and trying journey.

• Travelers could only traverse about 15 miles per day.

Mt. 2:14-16 And he arose and took the Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt; 15 and was there until the death of Herod, that what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet might be fulfilled, saying, “OUT OF EGYPT DID I CALL MY SON.” Then when Herod saw that he had been tricked by the magi, he became very enraged, and sent and slew all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its environs, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had ascertained from the magi.

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