Day 8: Matthew 4:12-17; Psalm 8 - How Accurately Did God Foretell His Son's Coming?

Today's Reading: Matthew 4:12-17; Psalm 8

Get the Reading Plan Here

How Accurately Did God Foretell His Son's Coming?

And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:

“The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,
    the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—
the people dwelling in darkness
    have seen a great light,
and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death,
    on them a light has dawned.” - Matthew 4:13-16, ESV

The prophets of the Old Testament foretold the coming of the Messiah in three different locations:

1. Micah 5:2 said the king would come from Bethlehem Ephrata, a small town in Judah.

2. Isaiah 9:1-2 said He would be in Galilee, in the territories of Zebulun and Naphtali.

3. Malachi 3:1 said He would suddenly appear in the Temple.

So, which is it, Bethlehem, Galilee or the Temple in Jerusalem?

Well, we know from the Gospels that Jesus fulfilled all three precisely: Born in Bethlehem, He did most of His earthly ministry in Galilee and also appeared in the Temple in Jerusalem multiple times in His life. God wanted to make sure we wouldn't miss our Messiah when He came, so He told us exactly where to expect Him - not just one place, but three different places! 

I had the privilege of preaching on Isaiah 9 this past December, and I covered in more detail the prophecy about Galilee. You can get that sermon here. 

Prayer Based on Psalm 8:

O Lord, our Lord,    how majestic is your name in all the earth!

You have set your glory above the heavens.
 Out of the mouth of babies and infants,
you have established strength because of your foes,
    to still the enemy and the avenger.

O, Lord, You who are glorious far above the heavens and You who are majestic in all the earth, You alone can and do strengthen even the least and weakest among us, to show the greatness of Your power in the face of the enemy. Satan rages and seeks to destroy, but You strengthen and equip Your people to stand in Your power.

When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
    the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
what is man that you are mindful of him,
    and the son of man that you care for him?

Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings
    and crowned him with glory and honor.
 You have given him dominion over the works of your hands;
    you have put all things under his feet,
 all sheep and oxen,
    and also the beasts of the field,
 the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea,
    whatever passes along the paths of the seas.

O Lord, it is truly amazing that You care for us the way You do. You have chosen to honor people made in Your image as the pinnacle of Your creation and the objects of Your special care. We are nothing in and of ourselves, Lord. We cannot give You anything to put You in our debt, but You love us and honor us and care for us in amazing ways, and for that we praise You now and always!

Father, after Adam surrendered his place of dominion over the creation in the Fall in the Garden, You sent forth Your Son to redeem us and to restore us. Christ now has dominion over all things and we stand in Christ as Your redeemed and restored image-bearers over creation under You, for Your glory!

 O Lord, our Lord,
    how majestic is your name in all the earth!