THE ADVENT – COLOURS OF CHRISTMAS – GOLD

Gold is precious and expensive. It is not an ordinary meatal, nor is it easily found. The process to bring it to the finished form is long and tedious. Yet, every effort is worth it. Such is the value of gold.

In the English language, gold has its own place in the idiomatic usage – “Old is gold; Heart of gold; All that glitters is not gold; Worth its weight in gold; Good as gold; Silence is golden; Go for the gold.”

God placed gold, over every other metal to be found on the earth. All the furniture and items in the holy Tabernacle of God are instructed to be made of gold. Every item in the Holy of Holies are made out of gold or overlaid with pure gold. The Ark of the Covenant is made out of acacia wood, and overlaid with pure gold. The Mercy Seat of God, is of pure gold, as well as the two Cherubims, one on either side, with wings outstretched (Exodus 25:10-21).  The Lampstand is made out of pure gold; the Table of Shewbread; the Altar of Incense are made out of acacia wood, and overlaid with pure gold.

Gold, because of its rarity, preciousness and expensive nature, it has acquired a status of great value. People highly desire to hold it in their possession. It is but natural. Jesus, like gold, is precious and priceless – the ‘Great Pearl’ of the Bible. In fact, Jesus is much more than, not just gold, but also, every other precious and priceless thing, ever to be found…many times over. Therefore, Jesus our Saviour is to be desired highly…highly than anything or anyone else. His value exceeds everything and everyone.

The law of the LORD is also considered gold…may, much more than gold – “8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; 9…The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.” “72 The law of Your mouth is better to me Than thousands of coins of gold and silver.” – Psalm 19:8-10; 119:72

God, though asked gold to be used so extensively, has no desire for gold, nor anything else precious. “8 The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, declares the LORD of hosts.” – Haggai 2:8 The LORD wants our hearts, and our obedience. Our hearts, and our obedience, in God’s sight, are much more precious than gold, and is a sweet smelling sacrifice to Him. May we come before the LORD our God, with a sincere and transparent heart. May we always learn to love the LORD, and obey Him at all times. Even so, the LORD help us.