“Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,
which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures,
concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh.”
Romans 1:1-3

There are 322 prophecies in the Hebrew Scriptures that point to the coming and work of the Jewish Messiah. Of these, about 30 point specifically to details about his birth. Jesus fulfilled every single one of these prophesies (The probability of such a phenomenon is statistically impossible to calculate)!  How good of our God—hundreds of years before the Messiah’s arrival—to leave a clear trail for us to identify Jesus of Nazareth as this magnificent gift.

Advent [arrival] season is a perfect time to focus on these prophetic words inspired by the Holy Spirit. In this article, we’ll revisit seven prophecies, each of which was given at least 700 years before “the Word became flesh and dwelt [tabernacled] among us” (John 1:14). From the earliest days, God foretold of his plan to redeem fallen humanity. How good is our God!

7 PROPHECIES!

PROPHECY #1. GENESIS 3:14-15 (God’s words to Satan after our first parents’ rebellion against God).

“I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall crush your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” Genesis 3:14-15 

We conclude that the Messiah will be born of a woman, and he will destroy the power of Satan, the enemy of God’s people. The “he” is Jesus, who defeated Satan at the cross. Read Galatians 4:4 and 1 John 3:8.

PROPHECY #2. GENESIS 22:17-18 (God’s promise after Abraham obeyed God by offering up his son Isaac)

“I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed.” Genesis 22:17-18

We conclude that the Messiah will come from the seed of Abraham, and through him, all people will be blessed. Read Galatians 3:6-9.

PROPHECY #3. GENESIS 49:8-10 (Jacob’s prophesy regarding his son Judah)

“Judah, your brothers shall praise you... Judah is a lion’s cub... The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples.” Genesis 49:8-10

We conclude that the Messiah will come from the tribe of Judah, have the title “the Lion of Judah,” and will rule over all people. This title Jesus will bear forever. Read Hebrews 7:14 and Revelation 5:5.

PROPHECY #4. NUMBERS 24:17 (Balaam’s final prophecy over Israel, written 1,400 years before Jesus’s birth)

“I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near: a star shall come out of Jacob; A scepter shall rise out of Israel... One from Jacob shall exercise dominion...” Numbers 24:17

We conclude that the Messiah will come from the house of Jacob, and a star will point him out. Read Matthew 2:1-2.

PROPHECY #5. 2 SAMUEL 7:12-14. (God’s covenant promise to David that a son of his will always rule)

“When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son.” 2 Samuel 7:12-14

We conclude that the Messiah will be from the house, or dynasty, of King David and his kingdom will have no end. Read Revelation 22:16b.

PROPHECY #6. ISAIAH 7:14 (God’s word to King Ahaz through Isaiah the prophet)

“The LORD himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son and shall call his name Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14

We conclude that the Messiah will be born of a virgin. It will be a miraculous conception by the power of the Spirit. His name will be Immanuel, “With us–God”!  Read the words of the angel to Joseph in Matthew 1:20-23 and the angel Gabriel’s greeting to Mary in Luke 1:26-33.

PROPHECY #7. MICAH 5:2 (A prophetic word spoken 700 years before the birth of Jesus)

“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.” Micah 5:2

We conclude that the Messiah will be born in the town of David, little Bethlehem of Judah. Read Luke 2:4-7.

Final Thoughts:

These are only a few of the prophetic promises written centuries before the appearance of Jesus. Peter reminds us that “no prophesy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:19-21).

As we meditate on these prophecies and their fulfillment, may we be moved to adoration and praise for our Father in heaven. We praise Jesus, who obeyed his Father perfectly and came to ransom us from dark satanic powers—Jesus’ name in Hebrew, Yeshua, literally means “salvation.”  And we praise the Holy Spirit, who dwells within each believer.

“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb 
be blessing and honor and glory
and might forever and ever!” 
Revelation 5:13

  [All Scriptures references are from the ESV.]

Tags: kingdom, advent, holy spirit, prophecy, messiah, birth, star, virgin birth, ruler, throne, arrival, scepter