Frankincense is a symbol of holiness and righteousness. The gift of frankincense to the Christ child was symbolic of His role in fulfilling the redemptive plan of God.
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem the Magi came from the east after they saw a bright star. The reason they searched for the Messiah was because of what the prophets wrote,
“‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” (Matthew 2:6 which is referencing Micah 5:2,4)
When they arrived to find Jesus with his mother Mary, they bowed down and worshipped him. They then offered gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. (Matthew 2:9-11)
What is frankincense?
Frankincense is an aromatic resin used in incense and perfumes, obtained from trees of the genus Boswellia in the family Burseraceae, particularly Boswellia sacra, B. carterii, B. frereana, B. serrata, and B. papyrifera.
What is symbolic about the gift of frankincense to baby Jesus?
First, it will be helpful to understand how frankincense would have been used by the Hebrews during the time of Jesus. On the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), the high priest would enter the innermost part of the temple, the holy holies. During this time incense would be burned that included frankincense. The cloud of incense would cover the mercy seat of the Lord (Lev 16:2, 12-13). A cloud often represents the presence off the Lord and you can see this when the cloud is with the Hebrews during the Exodus (Exodus 13:21, 19:19, 34:5, and Leviticus 16:2)
The purpose of the gift of Frankincense was to acknowledge that Jesus was the high priest. More specifically, it acknowledged that Jesus was God.
What was the recipe of the incense used by the Hebrew Priests?
This can be found in the book of Exodus 30:34-38. The incense represented the prayers that would go
34 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Take fragrant spices—gum resin, onycha and galbanum—and pure frankincense, all in equal amounts, 35 and make a fragrant blend of incense, the work of a perfumer. It is to be salted and pure and sacred.36 Grind some of it to powder and place it in front of the ark of the covenant law in the tent of meeting, where I will meet with you. It shall be most holy to you. 37 Do not make any incense with this formula for yourselves; consider it holy to the Lord. 38 Whoever makes incense like it to enjoy its fragrance must be cut off from their people.”
His research on plant medicine has led to more than 45 publications and abstracts.This research has been presented at international meetings in the USA, France, Turkey, Peru, Israel, Austria, and Italy.
Categories: Essential oils, Plant Medicine