Camels
When the nations bring their treasures to Zion (Isaiah 60:6), they come with camels. It’s an unusual site. The patriarchs have camels (the word is used 18x in Genesis 24 alone, 25x in Genesis). After that, camels are typically the mounts for Gentile visitors or invaders.
Midianites riding camels swarm over the land like locusts (Judges 6), and later the queen of Sheba’s entourage visits Solomon on camels (1 Kings 10:2; 2 Chronicles 9:1).
For Isaiah, the pilgrimage of the nations reverses the invasions of the book of Judges. Midianites on camels appear again, but this time bringing gifts rather than pillaging. Sheba returns to Zion bearing gold and frankinsence because Zion has been restored to Solomon-like radiance and splendor.
Christian artists knew what they were about when they gave the magi camels. Camels don’t make an appearance in Matthew, but, when we read Matthew through Isaiah, we know that the camels belong in the creche.
Peter Leithart
Peter J. Leithart is President of Theopolis Institute. He is the author of numerous books on theology, literature, and culture, including Theopolitan, Defending Constantine, and Baptized Body.
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