Camels, Gifts, and You

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

What’s your favorite zoo animal? Everyone has a favorite zoo animal, so what’s yours? Is it the gigantic elephant, the long necked giraffe, the kingly lion, the slightly awkward hippopotamus, or the comical orangutang? I have to admit, while they aren’t my favorite, camels intrigue me. They even intrigue me enough that I care about the difference between the one-humped dromedary camels and the two-humped Bactarian camels. In those humps, camels reserve fat stores that also provide water for the camel. Camels can go for 10 days without water, and can loose up to 30% of its bodyweight due to dehydration without harm. But when they do drink, camels can drink up to 140 liters at once - that’s 37 gallons, for us Americans. They withstand hot temperatures and temperature change better than most other animals and certainly better than people, and they have wide hooves that keep their feet and legs from sinking into the desert sand. In other words, these creatures are wonderfully made as desert dwellers, and have been used by mankind as the “ships of the desert” for thousands of years.

For us Bible readers, there is one other notable thing about camels. In the Old Testament law, camels are not ceremonially clean, or “kosher.” For God’s people, camels couldn’t be used for food, milk, or sacrifice. While Scripture says that Job had camels, most of the places that camels are mentioned in the Old Testament says that they are used by non-Jewish people, by Gentiles. The enemies of God’s people used camels. When the people of Israel were carried off into exile, the prophets said that the camels would move in to their homeland. Even when God’s people used camels, they were pack animals, like big, desert-resilient donkeys.

That’s why it’s odd that Isaiah prophesied that Israel would be covered with camels like it was a good thing! Those camels would come from Midian and Ephah and Sheba - Gentile countries. The Gentiles would come to Israel on their camels, not with soldiers, but with gifts! The Gentiles attack God’s people, but join them with good news and with the praise of the Lord. Across the desert, the Gentiles would be added to God’s people.

Because today is January 6 and the celebration of the Epiphany when the magi came to Jesus with their gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh, it’s easy to think that the prophecy of Isaiah 60 is about the magi and Bethlehem. It is, kind of. But there’s more to come. The magi who came to Bethlehem and worshipped Jesus and gave Him gold, frankincense, and myrrh are the first wave of the gentiles who come to worship Jesus, but they aren’t the only ones.

Tonight, we also come to the Lord, bowing before Him and recognizing that Jesus isn’t only a Savior for the physical children of Abraham, but is a Savior for us too - since most of us are Gentiles by birth. But we aren’t the completion of this prophecy either. Isaiah 60, like the chapters around it, isn’t only about the way that God would bless His people when they returned to the Promised Land after their exile in Babylon, but is about the grace of God in the eternal, last day. Isaiah isn’t only the Christmas prophet who talked about the virgin conceiving and bearing a son who is Immanuel - God with us. Isaiah isn’t only the the Good Friday prophet who talked about the Savior being stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. Isaiah is also the Second Coming prophet who said that the Lord will make all things new! On that eternal day of the Lord making all things right, the Gentiles with their camels and their gift would come streaming to Jerusalem. The Light of God’s people will be seen, and God’s glory will be on His people, and even the Gentiles will come to faith in the Lord and join the people of Israel in praising the Lord.

So, Isaiah prophesied the magi with their gold and frankincense and myrrh, and presumably with their camels. Isaiah also prophesied the great and glorious day when the King of kings will come with His glory and all people will come to worship Him, not just the magi. Tonight, we awkwardly say that Jesus has come, worshipped by the magi, and is coming again to be worshipped by all who believe in Him. It’s not one or the other, but both. The Epiphany (or “revelation”) of Jesus is bigger than the trip of the magi from the East to Bethlehem. The Epiphany and revelation of Jesus is personal to you. The Catechism says it well: I believe that Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, and also true man, born of the Virgin Mary, is my Lord, who has redeemed me, a lost and condemned person, purchased and won me from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil; not with gold or silver, but with His holy, precious blood and with His innocent suffering and death, that I may be His own and live under Him in His kingdom and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness, just as He is risen from the dead, lives and reigns to all eternity. Jesus has come, the Word made flesh, not so that you can make Him your personal Savior, but that He can personally grab hold of you, a sinner, and forgive you all your sins. He is your Lord and God. He comes to you, not with gold and silver, frankincense and myrrh, but with a body laid in a manger and then broken on a cross for you. He has become your sin so that you have the righteousness of God. The grace of God is shown to you on the cross by your Savior. This Epiphany, this revelation, is incredibly personal.

But it’s more than personal. The Epiphany and revelation of our Lord Jesus is cosmic. It’s for all who believe in Him and for all creation. The magi were the first wave. In the present, baptized Church of God’s saints, we see the Lord revealed to us and for us. And more is yet to come. When Jesus comes again, all who believe from all around the world and throughout all time will come. What will it look like? Well, let’s compare notes when we see it. Will there be camels? Maybe. Will there be Jews and Gentiles? Certainly! The fullness of the Epiphany of Jesus isn’t magi and gifts, nor is it us Gentiles tonight, but it is the wonderful truth that Jesus is the Savior who is coming again, and His final Epiphany will be a great and glorious day for us to look forward to as we all praise the Lamb who will rule eternally from His throne in the resurrection. From the Epiphany in Bethlehem to the magi and Epiphany 2026 to the last and final Epiphany of the resurrection, God be praised for all His goodness! Come, worship Him! You don’t need camels or gold, frankincense, or myrrh, but only a faith that clings to Jesus your Savior. Believe in Jesus, cling to Him, worship Him, and recognize that He has come to forgive your sins and give you eternal life. Amen.