MERCHANTS OF SHEBA

Like the merchant ships of old, Merchants of Sheba has sailed the seas of time in search of treasures from afar. She now bears her cargo of exotic spice, precious oils, and the rare essences of Frankincense and Myrrh into the modern world. Sought after since the dawn of time, these unique gifts of nature have enhanced the lives of men and women and are now yours. to enjoy.

THE BEAUTIFICATION OF QUEENS

Beloved Beautification Balm received its name from the biblical account of the Hebrew Queen Esther’s beautification treatment of Oil of Myrrh and spices. The Hebrew meaning of beauty is synonymous with “good”. It symbolized wholesomeness, health, purity, integrity, and well-being. The process of beautification was not only considered to be for attractiveness, but also for body cleanliness and disease prevention. Moses indicated people should care for and guard their bodies as they were a gift from God. The Greeks and Romans also shared this understanding and attitude of viewing the body as a temple. Beloved means to be well-loved. Myrrh was the scent of Solomon’s Beloved in the biblical Song of Solomon, one of most poetic love stories ever written. Myrrh was sought after by some of history’s most noble and beautiful women.

Queen Esther The biblical Book of Esther is thoroughly entrenched in history and documented by specific dates of 485-463 B.C. She is remembered as one of history’s most courageous and beautiful women. This humble Hebrew orphan was chosen from the entire kingdom to be Queen in the court of the Persian King Ahasuerus (Xerxes). Esther completed the twelve months of beauty preparation before entering the court and winning the favor of the King. Her beautification regime is recorded in the Old Testament as using Oil of Myrrh, ointments and spices. Her story is an example of personal sacrifice, bravery and true beauty. Once Queen she sought good for her people and spoke for their welfare. She willingly risked her life in revealing her Hebrew heritage and saved the lives of herself and her people.

…and the days of their Beautification were as follows;
Six months with Oil of Myrrh and six months with spices
and the ointments for women. Book of Esther 2:12

Queen of Sheba The biblical Queen of Sheba controlled the lucrative trade of spice and the precious frankincense and myrrh that the ancient world sought.  This foreign beauty was a brave seeker of truth who traveled thousands of miles to question King Solomon of Israel and test his God and wisdom. She presented him gifts of gold, myrrh and precious spices and returned to her country as a witness to her generation, bearing the good news of the great, one-true, God of Israel. Among the myrrh-bearers of old, she was a magnificent and courageous woman of renown beauty.

Cleopatra Cleopatra's legendary beauty was attributed to her use of aloes and myrrh.  She credited her soft and youthful skin to the using of balms made of these precious ingredients. Nefretiti also was said to have used these same commodities to beautify herself.

Pharaoh Queen Hatshepsut One of the few female Pharaohs of Egypt, Pharaoh Queen Hatshepsut reigned from 1500BC to 1480BC.  Praising the beautifying qualities of myrrh, she expanded her kingdom by sending an expedition to Africa and the "Land of Punt" where myrrh trees were abundant. The mission was successful and the revered myrrh tree was introduced to the Egyptian people. The story of the expedition was depicted on the walls of the temple built to enclose the Queen's tomb. This beautiful Pharaoh Queen gained fame for her interest in the welfare and expansion of her country, more than war and conquest.

True beauty is enhanced
by the sweet perfume of kindness,
the soothing balm of mercy,
and the anointing oils of wisdom and courage.

 

Strength
and Dignity
are her clothing,
and she smiles
at the future.

Proverbs 31:25

A bundle
of Myrrh
is my Beloved
unto me.

Song of
Solomon 1:13

The depth of meaning, symbolism and spirituality of Frankincense and Myrrh runs deep through the veins of history and the bible. The story of their tears has become our story, uniting the people of the present and the past. It is a story of hope, healing and change, as we join them in a common quest for a healing process for the wounds of life. Like the story of frankincense and myrrh, we too must find a way of taking the bitter tears and miraculously transforming them into a sweet balm of healing for both ourselves and others.

Read Spurgeon's Sermon: A Bundle of Myrrh