Isa.60:1- 3,5 – Arise, shine;
For your light has come!
And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you.
For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth,
And deep darkness the people;
But the LORD will arise over you,
And His glory will be seen upon you.
The Gentiles shall come to your light,
And kings to the brightness of your rising….
Because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you,
The wealth of the Gentiles shall come to you.
I think many of the people at the time of Christ missed the supernatural because they had preconceived ideas of what the Messiah would do and were looking for the spectacular. Jesus was often more subtle; He was born in a manger, met with one woman at a well, performed miracles and told the people to tell no one; He was different from what everyone expected.
Today’s passage describes a transfer of wealth from the secular world to the church but maybe it will also be more subtle and not so spectacular. It all started when the wise men from the east came bringing gifts to worship Jesus at His birth. Here is how Erasmus described this.
“The magi, who had not worshiped Herod, a man who exalted himself with royal pomp as he sat on his throne, prostrated themselves at the cradle of the crying child, and bending low worshiped one who could not yet speak. Not satisfied with this act of piety, they took from their bags the gifts intended for the child, from things the region of Persia was especially rich in: gold, frankincense, and myrrh, so that the one who was soon going to flee would not be without provisions. With these firstfruits of faith the nations that were far off preceded the Jews, who seemed nearest to God, and they consecrated Christ as theirs and dedicated themselves in turn to him, offering a new sacrifice in three kinds of things, already as though through a riddle professing that ineffable Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Ghost—and at the same time recognizing in one man mortality, priesthood, and kingship.”
Erasmus thought these gifts from the wise men were the first fruits of the transfer of wealth from the nations to God’s people. I think that is happening right under our noses. It may not be spectacular at first but it is supernatural. How can you participate? Worship the Lord at your church with the tithe and offerings. As you look back in time you will see the hand of God on you and your wealth. He is transferring the resources of the world to His children.
