Good morning,
This week we celebrate Christmas. This is the most important and unique birth of all time. The Old Testament makes several prophecies about the birth of Jesus. This is what I would like to look at today. Tomorrow, we will look at the story of Jesus birth.
Prophecies
1) Virgin birth and name
Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, And shall call his name Immanuel.
Matthew 1:21-23
And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
2) Place of birth
Micah 5:2
But you, Bethlehem Ephratah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.
Matthew 2:6
And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, art not the least among the princes of Judah: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
John 7:42
Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?
3) Birth and reign
Isaiah 9:6
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Luke 2:7, 11
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.
1 Corinthians 15:25
For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
4) Worshipped and Presented gifts by Kings
Psalm 72:10
The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.
Matthew 2:11
And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.
5) Worshipped by Shepherds
Psalm 72:9
They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust.
Luke 2:8, 9, 20
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
Application
The birth of Jesus Christ was not a random event. God knew this from before the creation. Prophecies were written so all would know that God was sending a Savior, King, Redeemer, for fallen man.
Each of us should be eternally grateful to God for His provision for us. Wicked, vile, and lost, God sent Jesus to redeem our wicked souls. Praise the Lord.
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001
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