God incarnate, Jesus Christ

 

John 6:35, Jesus declares, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty." 

Prophesies of Jesus in the Hebrew Scriptures

Last summer, during my ladies' Bible study at church, I delivered a presentation on Jesus as depicted in the Old Testament prophecies. To enhance the attendees' learning experience, I prepared a handout summarizing key points and insights related to this topic.

OVERVIEW

The Hebrew scriptures feature between 200 and 400 prophecies that are believed to be fulfilled by Jesus. While scholars have varying opinions on the exact number of these prophecies, the improbability of one individual fulfilling so many of them supports the claim that Jesus is the true Jewish Messiah.

THE FIRST PROPHECY – THE FIRST GOSPEL - PROPHECIES ON THE BIRTH OF JESUS 

And I will put enmity
    between you and the woman,
    and between your offspring and hers;
He will crush your head,
    and you will strike his heel.”

Genesis 3:15

• Genesis 22:18 – All the nations would be blessed through Abraham’s offspring

• Numbers 24:17 – Jesus would be from the line of Jacob

• Isaiah 11:1 – Jesus would be from the line of Jesse

• Jeremiah 23:5-6 – Jesus would be from the line of David

• Micah 5:2 – Jesus would be born in Bethlehem

• Isaiah 7:14 – Jesus would be born of a virgin

• Isaiah 9:6-7 – A child would be born, and the government would be on his shoulders

• Psalm 72:10 – Jesus would be worshipped and given gifts at his birth

• Jeremiah 31:15 – King Herod would murder children in an attempt to kill Jesus

• Hosea 11:1 – Joseph would be warned to take Jesus

to Egypt for a time to protect him.

PROPHECIES ON THE LIFE OF JESUS

• Psalm 40:6-8 – Jesus would be the perfect sacrifice

• Psalm 78:1-2 – Jesus would teach using parables

• 1 Samuel 2:35 – God would raise up a faithful priest

• 2 Samuel 7:12-13 – Jesus’ Kingdom would be eternal

• Isaiah 6:9-10 – Those who heard Jesus’ parables would not understand

• Isaiah 9:1-2 – The ministry of Jesus would begin in Galilee

• Isaiah 40:3-4 – Jesus’ ministry would be preceded by a voice calling in the desert

• Isaiah 42:1-4 – Jesus’ message of salvation would also extend to the Gentiles

• Isaiah 53:3 – Jesus would be despised and rejected  

• Isaiah 61:1 – Jesus would be the anointed on to proclaim good news to the poor

• Zechariah 9:9 – The King would come riding on a donkey

• Zechariah 11:13 – Jesus would be betrayed for 30 pieces of silver

PROPHECIES ON THE DEATH AND RESURRECTION OF JESUS

• Exodus 12:21-23 – Jesus would be the Passover Lamb

• Exodus 12:46, Numbers 9:12 – None of Jesus’ bones would be broken

• Leviticus 17:11 – Jesus would die and pour out his blood for the atonement of sins

• Numbers 21:9 – Jesus would be lifted up

• Psalm 16:10 – Jesus would not be abandoned to the dead

• Psalm 22:1 – Jesus would be forsaken

• Psalm 22:8 – Jesus would be mocked

• Psalm 22:15 – Jesus’ mouth would be dry

• Psalm 22:16 – Jesus’ hands and feet would be pierced

• Psalm 22:18 – Lots would be cast for Jesus’ clothes

• Psalm 31:5 – Jesus would commit his spirit to God

• Psalm 68:18 – Jesus would ascend to heaven

• Psalm 69:21 – Jesus would be given vinegar for his thirst

Jesus Christ fulfilled numerous prophecies about His birth, life, ministry, death, and resurrection. These remarkable fulfillments could only have occurred through the one sovereign over all creation from the very beginning of creation. God incarnate, Jesus Christ. These prophecies inspire trust, hope, security, assurance, faith, encouragement, and joy in all who read and understand them. May these prophecies fulfilled by Jesus fill you with hope and life as you trust Him.