The Wealth of Nations Will Come

“…the wealth of the nations will come to you…the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba will come; they will bring gold and frankincense, and proclaim good news of the praises of the Lord.” Isaiah 60:5-6 (NASB)

The visit of the Magi, learned men who travelled from eastern lands, may have occurred up to two years after Christ’s birth. Their visit fulfills a couple of less direct Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah.

First, there was the mysterious prophecy of Balaam, son of Beor, in Numbers 24:17: "A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel." Though Balaam was an unlikely prophet, God used him to foretell the coming of one who would be associated with both a star and a royal scepter (a king's staff). As religious astrologers from the same general region as Balaam in the East, the Magi may have been familiar with this prophecy. This could explain why they understood that an unusual star would lead them to a newborn king.

Second, Isaiah 60 paints a vivid picture of light breaking through darkness covering the earth - a light so compelling it would draw nations and kings from afar. The prophet mentions travelers from eastern regions like Midian, Ephah, and Sheba, bearing gifts of gold and frankincense. This prophecy found fulfillment in the Magi, who journeyed from the East precisely with these treasures.

When these Magi arrived in Jerusalem, they demonstrated remarkable spiritual discernment. They recognized that the paranoid pretender-king Herod was not the one they sought. Instead, when they finally found Jesus with Mary, they responded with profound reverence - worshipping him and presenting to him their prophetically significant gifts: gold fitting for a king (1 Kings 10:2, Psalm 72:15), frankincense appropriate for deity (Exodus 30:34-38), and myrrh foreshadowing his sacrificial death (Mark 15:23, John 19:39).