Apologia! Every word of God is tested… Proverbs 30:5

Prophecy Jesus Couldn’t Control Many of the prophecies about Messiah happened before Jesus could control them. These have to do with His birth, childhood and pre-existence.

Messiah To Be Born In Bethlehem Micah 5:2 -- “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”

Fulfilled Luke 2:1,4-- Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth…. Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David….

Scribes Knew Matthew 2:4-5 -- Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet…

Caused Confusion John 7:41-42 – “Others were saying, “This is the Christ.” Still others were saying, “Surely the Christ is not going to come from Galilee, is He? Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the descendants of David, and from Bethlehem, the village where David was?” Common knowledge that Christ was to come from Bethlehem. They were unaware of His birth particulars.

Presented With Gifts Psalm 72:10 --Let the kings of Tarshish and of the islands bring presents; The kings of Sheba and Seba offer gifts. Isaiah 60:6 -- “A multitude of camels will cover you, The young camels of Midian and Ephah; All those from Sheba will come; They will bring gold and frankincense, And will bear good news of the praises of the Lord.

Gifts Brought Matthew 2:1-2, 11 --Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews…After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Murder Of The Innocents Jeremiah 31:15 --Thus says the Lord, “A voice is heard in Ramah, Lamentation and bitter weeping. Rachel is weeping for her children; She refuses to be comforted for her children, Because they are no more.”

Fulfilled By Wicked Herod Matthew 2:16 --Then when Herod saw that he had been tricked by the magi, he became very enraged, and sent and slew all the male children who were in Bethlehem and all its vicinity, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the magi. (Quoted in v. 17-18)

How Does This Apply? Original context in Jeremiah 31 spoke of the dispersion of the Jews. Why reapply to Jesus? Chapters 30-33 in Jeremiah are clearly Messianic in nature.

Messianic Overtones In Jeremiah 30ff Behold days are coming… Jeremiah 30:3 “But they shall serve the Lord their God and David their king, whom I will raise up for them.” (Obvious reference to Messiah) – Jeremiah 30:9 Jeremiah 31:31ff – time of new covenant through Messiah.

So, As Messianic Prophecy… God was promising comfort to those mothers who suffered the loss of their infant sons for the sake of Jesus the Christ.

Jesus Couldn’t Help His Pre-Existence Micah 5:2 -- “But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity.”

What Do You Mean? Jesus was aware of His pre-existence. He could not have MADE Himself pre-existent. Either He was. Or He was a pretender. If He was a pretender….then why did all the prophecies come true in Him?

Isaiah 9:6-7 For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this.

Colossians 1:17  ”He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” John 8:58 -- Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am.”

After His Resurrection…  Revelation 22:13 --I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”