Introduction - Epiphany and the Church Year
I. Old Testament Postmillenial Prefigurements of Matthew 2:1-11
A. Micah 5:1-4a Bethlehem and Conquest
B. Numbers 24:15-23 (see also 23:18-25) A Star, A Scepter, and Dominion
C. Isaiah 60:1-14 The Glory of God Draws The Wealth of the Gentiles
II. Correcting Other Misconceptions About Matthew 2:1-11
A. The Timing – Probably About Two Yeas Later (The Slaughter of the Innocents)
B. We Three Kings? – Unnumbered Priests: Not Kings, but King-makers
Zoroastrian God-fearers?
C. Following Yonder Star – A Very Unusual Star! v. 9
A Tabernacle for the Sun; A House for the Son, A Leading Light
Ps. 19:4; Amos 5:26/Acts 7:43; Ex. 40; Ps. 80:1,2; Mal. 4:2; 2 Cor. 4:6
D. Bearing Gifts – King, God, and Sacrifice? Yes but…
Frankincense – Lev. 2
Myrrh - Ex. 30:23; Ps. 45:8; Canticles 4:6,7
Gold – Genesis 2:11,12
III. Some Truths Revealed
A. Constitution of the New Temple of the Lord – Canticles 3:6; Isa. 60:7
Change of priesthood, change of law (Heb. 7:12)
B. The Great Reversal Has Been Effected
Joseph and Myrrh – Gen. 37:25; 43:11,12
C. Our Response is Worship (Tribute, Spirit-consecrated Prayer at the Golden Altar)
Gold – Money/Labor
Frankincense – Prayer
Myrrh – Love (Esther 2:12)
D. Starting with Relationships, Ritual, and Reframing our Lives |
