Through The Word, God reveals Himself and communicates to humanity.
The Bible consists of sixty-six individual books. Thirty-nine books in the Old Testament, originally written mostly in Hebrew and some parts in Aramaic. The New Testament contains twenty-seven books and was first written in Greek.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
The time span for writing the Bible’s individual books, written by approximately forty different authors, is over a period of 1,500 years. Each book is written as God’s Word, and was recognized as such by God’s people of Israel. The Old Testament writings were finished approximately 400 years before the birth of Christ and Israel’s kings referred to the books as Scripture.
Although 1,500 years is a long span of time, the Bible is unwavering from Genesis – the first book in the Old Testament, to Revelation – the last book in the New Testament. The Old Testament was written by a unique list of many writers. A partial list includes:
- Moses, a shepherd who became the greatest Jewish leader and spoke with God face-to-face.
- Joshua, a mighty warrior and God chosen successor of Moses.
- Nehemiah, a faithful king’s cupbearer who became a respected governor.
- David, a shepherd boy who killed a giant and became a mighty king.
- Solomon, son of David and king by birthright.
- Daniel, a captive prisoner turned king’s chosen advisor.
Prophets of the Old Testament shared prophecies inspired by God. Jesus was prophesied about throughout the Old Testament. One of these prophecies is 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.”
Micah 5:2 prophesied Jesus would be born in the city of Bethlehem, and that was affirmed in the New Testament book of Matthew 2:1, After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem
Jesus was indeed born in Bethlehem.
Another Old Testament prophecy, Isaiah 9:6-7, tells us Jesus would descend from the house of David: For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.
Romans 1:3 confirms Jesus’ earthly life as a descendant of David: regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life was a descendant of David,
Old Testament Zechariah 12:10, tells us Jesus’ body will be pierced. In New Testament John 20:25-27, we read Jesus’ disciple Thomas at first doubted the resurrected Jesus, until Jesus stood before him and told Thomas to touch the pierced marks from the Cross on His body. After touching Jesus’ wounds, Thomas believed in the risen Lord.
The Bible tells us about Jesus long before His birth in a manger. Other prophesies include some will cast lots for His garments, as revealed in Psalm 22:18, and proved true in Matthew 27:35.
Isaiah 53:5-12 states Jesus will be the sacrifice for our sins. This prophecy was acknowledged in a letter written by the apostle Paul. It is in Romans 5:6-8 where Paul writes to the Romans explaining how God demonstrated His love for us by having Christ die for the ungodly.
What God predicts, will eventually come true. All of these prophecies were fulfilled in Jesus Christ, confirming Him as the Son of God. Let us remember the history of the name Jesus. Let us remember to lift Him up as the true prophesied king.
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How wonderful to be known and loved by a big God!
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