In the third part of the Series on Christmas-related prophecies, today we focus on two more aspects of the same…
Semitic
Let’s go from macro to micro…if the Almighty had given a special promise to Abraham (Abram at that time-Genesis 12:7/13:15/Gal 3:16-24) that through his “Child,” He would impute righteousness (read Salvation-as an inspired Apostle Paul reasoned) to all who receive Him (2000 years before the birth of Jesus), then Balaam, Son of Beor whilst prophesying (Numbers 24:17) on the Semitic roots of Jesus, proclaimed (1500 years before the birth of Christ) that out of several descendants of Abraham, “a star would rise of Jacob” (Abrahams grandson). Then again, from twelve sons of Jacob, who are founding fathers of 12 tribes of Israel, the exact tribe from which the Messiah would come was pointed out (some 1800 years before the First advent of Jesus) by this death-bed Prophecy of Patriarch Jacob (talk of dying declarations laden with truth and nothing but the truth…): “The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from his descendants…” (Genesis 49:10); and from the numerous families of Judah’s tribe only to the family of David was given an everlasting Divine covenant in 1000 BC… “Your house and your kingdom will continue before me for all time, and your throne will be secure forever.” (2 Sam 7:16). No wonder the other name of Messiah is “Son of David” (Matt 15:22/Mark 10:47).
“Through the Jews would come Salvation…” words of Jesus recorded in John 4:22. Period. In the last two thousand years this Semitic Salvation (the only salvation available to Mankind — See John 14:6) has been doing more than “an antiseptic work” in a sinner’s soul, eliminating all the “inherent poison” therein.
Saved to Save
Now Moses had prophesied about the coming Messiah in approximately 1500 BC… “I will raise up a prophet like you from among their fellow Israelites. I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell the people everything I command him.” (Deuteronomy 18:18).
This Prophecy was referred to by the Early Apostles whilst proclaiming the Gospel to the Jews that Jesus is indeed the Messiah they had been long looking for for so long (Acts 3:22). Now, no denial of some similarities between Moses the redeemer of the people of Israel from the Egyptian bondage and Jesus the Saviour of people from the clutches of sin, though Jesus is far greater (Heb 3:3). Both were saved miraculously (Ex 1-2:1-10/Matt 2:13-14) in their infancy from cruel baby slaughter in order that their main Divine purpose in life be achieved. Both were rejected in their “First Coming” (Ex 2:14/John 1:11) by their own fraternity (Jews). Moses was accepted only in his 2nd coming (Exodus 4:29-31), so would be Jesus (Romans 11:26) . Coming to the brutal massacre of babies…it was foretold in 550 BC (approx) by Jeremiah the Prophet. Consider this Scripture:
“A cry was heard in Ramah–weeping and great mourning. Rachel weeps for her children, refusing to be comforted, for they are dead.” (Jeremiah 31:15).
Now why Rachel, specifically, should be weeping for Jewish children of Bethlehem, and not Leah (another mother of the Nation — see Ruth 4:11)…most likely because Bethlehem and Rachel are inseparable. Her grave lies at the entrance of that Sacred city.
At this stage, even at the cost of sounding repetitive, I would like to reiterate that no man of God can die until the Divine goal in his life is achieved (John 7:30/8:20). That brings us to last but not the least sub-topic: the main purpose behind the First advent of the Messiah. We shall focus on it on the concluding part of this 4-part series.
Prayer: Father, we thank Thee making all prophecies come true. We worship You for Your Divine character of always keeping Your Word. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Suresh Manoharan
An Unprofitable Servant
J and SM Ministries
(To access the entire “Christmas Prophecies” mini-series, please click here.)