The birth of Jesus Christ was a miraculous occurrence that fulfilled several Old Testament prophecies. These predictions confirmed Jesus’ status as the Messiah, the world’s Savior, and his divine character and mission. This article will examine the Old Testament prophesies about Jesus’ birth and how they came true.
1. Born of a Virgin
As predicted by the prophet Isaiah, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son named Immanuel. The Lord will send a sign (Isaiah 7:14). When Mary, a virgin, gave birth to Jesus. This prophecy was fulfilled (Matthew 1:22-23).
2. Born in Bethlehem
Although Bethlehem Ephrathah is a small clan among the clans of Judah, the prophet Micah predicted that “out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from old, from ancient times” (Micah 5:2). This prophecy was fulfilled when Jesus was born in Bethlehem, David (Luke 2:4-6).
3. Descendant of Abraham
All peoples on earth will be blessed through you, as God promised Abraham, and I will make you a powerful nation (Genesis 12:2–3). Jesus, an ancestor of Abraham, carried out this prophecy (Matthew 1:1).
4. Descendant of David
The prophet Jeremiah wrote, “The days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous branch, a king who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land… He will be called this name: The Lord Our Righteous Savior” (Jeremiah 23:5–6). Jesus fulfilled this prophecy as a descendant of David (Matthew 1:6).
5. Worshiped by Wise Men
Countries and kingdoms would come to your light and your dawn’s brilliance, the prophet Isaiah said (Isaiah 60:3). When the wise men from the east came to adore Jesus and brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, this prophecy was realized (Matthew 2:1–11).
6. Slaughter of Innocent Children
“A cry is heard in Ramah, lamenting and tremendous sobbing, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be consoled since they are no more,” the prophet Jeremiah penned (Jeremiah 31:15). When Herod the Great ordered the killing of all male children in Bethlehem under the age of two to kill Jesus, this prophecy was realized (Matthew 2:16–18).
Significance of the Prophecies
The Old Testament’s predictions concerning Jesus’ birth are very important for Christians. These predictions were made many years before Jesus was born, and their fulfillment revealed Jesus’ divine identity and role as the world’s Messiah and savior. This essay will examine the relevance of Old Testament predictions about Jesus’ birth.
1. Demonstrates God’s Plan
The Old Testament prophecies about Jesus’ birth reveal God’s plan for humanity’s salvation. God intended to send a savior to redeem humankind from sin from the beginning (Genesis 3:15). The prophecies concerning Jesus’ birth demonstrate that God planned for Jesus to be born as the Messiah and Savior of the world.
2. Proves the Divine Inspiration of the Bible
Evidence for the Bible’s divine inspiration comes from the Old Testament’s fulfillment of prophecy regarding the birth of Jesus. The accuracy of these prophecies proves that God, not human intellect, was behind their creation and provided inspiration for them (2 Timothy 3:16–17).
3. Confirms Jesus’ Identity as the Messiah
The Old Testament birth-related prophecies of Jesus validate his status as the promised Messiah. The specifics of Jesus’ birth, including his place of origin, family tree, and miraculous conception, are detailed in these prophecies. These prophecies’ fulfilment demonstrates that Jesus is the world’s Messiah and saviour (John 4:25–26).
4. Fulfills Old Testament Prophecies
The prophecies about Jesus’ birth in the Old Testament fulfil numerous predictions from the Old Testament. The birth of Jesus fulfilled numerous prophecies made in the Old Testament that the Messiah was on the way (Isaiah 9:6-7), demonstrating that Jesus is the prophesied Messiah.
5. Provides Hope for the Future
Hope for the future can be found in the Old Testament’s predictions regarding the birth of Jesus. These prophecies demonstrate that God will carry out his plan for human redemption. The advent of Jesus fulfilled these prophecies, demonstrating that God keeps his word and will carry through on his future promises (Revelation 21:3-5).
Conclusion
The Old Testament prophecies about Jesus’ birth demonstrate God’s divine plan and provide evidence for the truth of Jesus’ claims as Messiah and the savior of the world.