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Why were gold, frankincense and myrrh given to Jesus?


            While the wise men had their own reasons (availability and value), it’s interesting that each of those items are found in the same chapter of the Old Testament – Exodus 30.  These three items had a place in the tabernacle (and later the temple) and the worship rituals.  The wise men worshipped God and their gifts pointed to that worship, Old Testament style.
Make two gold rings for the altar below the molding—two on each of the opposite sides—to hold the poles used to carry it. Exodus 30:4
Take the following fine spices: 500 shekels of liquid myrrh, half as much (that is, 250 shekels) of fragrant cinnamon, 250 shekels of fragrant calamus… Exodus 30:23
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Take fragrant spices—gum resin, onycha and galbanum—and pure frankincense, all in equal amounts…” Exodus 30:34
            Jesus is God so these three items worshipped him appropriately.