PROPHECIES OF JESUS’ BIRTH: The Messiah Would be a Descendant of Jacob

December 6th, 2023

The Birth of Jesus Christ occurs in the New Testament, but its prophetic origins can be found in several passages of the Old Testament. Through the month of December our Devotional Team will take a look at Old Testament Prophecy and the New Testament Fulfillment of the birth and life of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! Be encouraged as we celebrate our Savior this Christmas Season!

SCRIPTURES:
OLD TESTAMENT PROPHECY: Numbers 24:17
“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, and batter the brow of Moab, and destroy all the sons of tumult."
NEW TESTAMENT FULFILLMENT: Matthew 1:1-17, and 2:2
Matthew 1
The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham:
2 Abraham begot Isaac, Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot Judah and his brothers. 3 Judah begot Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez begot Hezron, and Hezron begot Ram. 4 Ram begot Amminadab, Amminadab begot Nahshon, and Nahshon begot Salmon. 5 Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse, 6 and Jesse begot David the king. David the king begot Solomon by her [b]who had been the wife of Uriah. 7 Solomon begot Rehoboam, Rehoboam begot Abijah, and Abijah begot [c]Asa. 8 Asa begot Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat begot Joram, and Joram begot Uzziah. 9 Uzziah begot Jotham, Jotham begot Ahaz, and Ahaz begot Hezekiah. 10 Hezekiah begot Manasseh, Manasseh begot Amon, and Amon begot Josiah. 11 Josiah begot Jeconiah and his brothers about the time they were carried away to Babylon. 12 And after they were brought to Babylon, Jeconiah begot Shealtiel, and Shealtiel begot Zerubbabel. 13 Zerubbabel begot Abiud, Abiud begot Eliakim, and Eliakim begot Azor. 14 Azor begot Zadok, Zadok begot Achim, and Achim begot Eliud. 15 Eliud begot Eleazar, Eleazar begot Matthan, and Matthan begot Jacob. 16 And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus who is called Christ. 17 So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations, from David until the captivity in Babylon are fourteen generations, and from the captivity in Babylon until the Christ are fourteen generations.

Matthew 2:2
“Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”

Throughout the Holy Bible, are events which should assure believers that God’s plans are perfect. Job 42:2, declares that “No purpose of God can be thwarted”- meaning God’s plans cannot be stopped or prevented by anyone or anything. Nothing that man designs, such as trickery, magic, wickedness, or evil can derail God’s plans. The Lord God cannot be intimidated by a cloak of deception or acts of willful disobedience. God’s plan is also sure. Old Testament Saints have trusted and built their faith on it. God’s reputation is flawless. When He says something will happen, it will happen. God’s plan is perfect right from His masterful creation. For, God makes promises in Scripture, and each will come to pass from Abraham to His descendants, the Israelites of the house of Jacob.

The significance of the Old Testament prophecy, fulfilled in the New Testament shows that God keeps His promises. The coming Messiah is to be a descendant of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob– (Genesis12:3, 17:19; Numbers 24:17); fulfilled (Matthew 1:1). He would be from the tribe of Judah, and the house of David (Genesis 49:10); (Isaiah 9:7). Prophecy fulfillment (Luke 3:33). He was to be heir of the throne of David-prophecy (Isaiah 9:7) and fulfilled (Luke 1:32-33), Confirming Jesus’ identity as the true Messiah. God’s promises reveal the consistency of His Word, and that the Bible is more than a collection of stories. Furthermore, unity between the Old/New Testaments demonstrates interconnectivity and continuity of God’s plan in purpose and message for believers.

There is a message to the Beloved- God keeps His promises. His Word is true, “till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. " (Matthew 5:18). The ultimate plan of God is to accomplish His eternal purpose of saving a people for His name, who will glorify Him and enjoy Him forever.

Prayer: Lord, as I reflect on the significance of the Old Testament prophecies, and the New Testament fulfillment – I stand assured of Your hope and promises to me – and that You have so faithfully and consistently fulfilled. May my faith and understanding be strengthened through Your Word. In Jesus’ name. Amen
By Sis. Novella D Carpenter