MESSIANIC PROPHECIES: BORN OF A VIRGIN IN BETHLEHEM AND WORSHIPPED BY IMPORTANT PEOPLE

MESSIANIC PROPHECIES:

BORN OF A VIRGIN

IN BETHLEHEM

AND WORSHIPPED BY IMPORTANT PEOPLE

Prophecy:

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.

Susie: The Hebrew word for virgin means an unmarried woman which would assume that she had never been with a man. Therefore, the birth of Isaiah’s son would not completely fulfill this prophecy. Note that the child would be called Immanuel meaning “God with us,” a name applied to Jesus even though it was not His given name.

Fulfillment:

Matthew 1:18-2:1 18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 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. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name Jesus.

Susan: Mary and Joseph were engaged when Mary conceived, but they had not had intimate relations yet. The baby was not Joseph’s but was placed in Mary by the Holy Spirit.

Susie: Furthermore, even after Joseph married Mary in obedience to the Lord, they did not consummate the marriage. Joseph refrained from being intimate and Mary remained a virgin until after the birth of Jesus.

Susan: Matthew underscored in his gospel account that the virgin birth was the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophesy in Isaiah 7:14.

Susie: The Lord, through Matthew, made this one abundantly clear for us!

Luke 1:26-35 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

Susan: Luke, in this passage, three times highlights the gospel truth that Mary was indeed a virgin. Mary herself affirmed her virginity when she questioned Gabriel about how this could happen since she had never been intimate with a man.

Susie: Therefore, two gospel accounts show the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy of the virgin birth of the Savior..

Prophecy:

Micah 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

Susan: Micah prophesied that the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem which translated means “house of bread.”

John 6:35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

Fulfillment:

Matthew 2:1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem. . .

Luke 2:4-7 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 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.

Susie: Both Matthew and Luke record that Jesus was born in Bethlehem. In addition, when Herod inquired where the baby king was to be born, his chief priests and scribes quoted Micah’s prophecy concerning Bethlehem.

Prophecy:

Psalm 72:10-11 The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts. Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him.

Susan: The Messiah would be admired and even worshipped by dignitaries and royalty from around the world.

Susie: This was fulfilled when the wise men adored Jesus at His birth but will be further confirmed when He returns and all people bow down before Him.

Fulfillment:

Matthew 2:1-11 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, 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. Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 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.

Susan: The Magi, the wise men, were men from the aristocracy of their country or countries. They were men of prominence and obviously of great wealth to travel from the East and offer such extravagant gifts.

Susie: Another indication of their stature was that they were granted an audience with King Herod the Great.

Susan: They not only admired Jesus, but they were moved to fall down before Him in heartfelt worship.

Susie: The wise men lavished gifts upon Jesus as an emissary would present to a king.