It is amazing how the Old Testament predicted the advent of the Messiah. Below is a chart of some of the Divine expectations and their New Testament fulfillments:
1. Messiah born of a woman. Genesis 3:15 Matthew 1:20/Galatians 4:4
2. Messiah born in Bethlehem. Micah 5:2 Matthew 2:1/Luke 2:4-6
3. Messiah born of a virgin. Isaiah 7:14 Mat 1:22-23/Luke 1:26-31
4. Messiah from the line of Abraham. Genesis 12:3; 22:18 Matthew 1:1/Romans 9:5
5. Messiah a descendant of Isaac. Genesis 21:12 Luke 3:34
6. Messiah a descendant of Jacob. Numbers 24:17 Matthew 1:2
7. Messiah the tribe of Judah. Genesis 49:10 Luke 3:33/Hebrews 7:14
8. Messiah heir to King David's throne. 2 Sam 7:12-13/Isa 9:7 Luke 1:32-33/Romans 1:3
9. Messiah's throne anointed and eternal. Psa 45:6-7/Dan 2:44 Luke 1:33/Hebrews 1:8-12
10. Messiah called Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14 Matthew 1:23
11. Messiah spends a season in Egypt. Hosea 11:1 Matthew 2:14-15
12. A massacre of children. Jeremiah 31:15 Matthew 2:16-18
13. A messenger prepares the way. Isaiah 40:3-5 Luke 3:3-6
Wow! What do we do with all that? FIRST, we notice how God sees the future: (Isa 46:10) Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure,’ SECONDLY, it points to Jesus as the only Messiah and Savior: (John 14:6) Jesus said . . . “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. THIRDLY, it speaks to the fact that all of God’s promises come true: (Josh 21:45) Not a word failed of any good thing which the Lord had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass. Is there an issue in your life that you are concerned about? God sees ahead, Jesus is your only Savior, and His promises will absolutely come true!
Louie