The Road To Bethlehem: God With us

Today we continue on the Road to Bethlehem and we continue in Isaiah 7:14.

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

Isaiah 7:14

• God with us... Why is it that the Messiah would be God With Us?
• Sin Romans 3:23 tells us that "...all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." In other words, our sin separates us from God.
• Remember yesterday how we talked about how Jesus had to be born of a virgin so that He would not inherit sin? Our sin is still the central issue why the Messiah is coming to be God With Us.
• Who walked and talked with God in the Garden of Eden? Adam and Eve
• What happened when they sinned? They got thrown out of the garden. Their sin separated them from God physically and spiritually.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.

Ephesians 2:8-9

• This passage in Ephesians reminds us that our salvation is only by grace and not by works
• In other words, our works - no matter how good they may be - cannot save us.
• If we can do nothing to save ourselves, then we can do nothing on our own to bring ourselves back to God.
• We can read (like in Romans 3:11) that nobody seeks God.
• So, if God wanted to have a relationship with us, He would have to come to us.
• So, if God was sending a Messiah who would be called "God With Us" do you think He wants a relationship with us?

The Road To Bethlehem: A Virgin Shall Be With Child

Today we continue on the Road to Bethlehem and we come back to Isaiah. This time we come to chapter 7.

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

Isaiah 7:14

• A few weeks back, we looked at Genesis 3:15 and saw (among other things) that the Messiah was to be born to a virgin. In other words, He was going to have an earthly mother but not an earthly father.
• We had looked in Matthew 1:18 and read about how that part of the Genesis prophecy was filled in Jesus.
• Have you ever wondered why (other than this prophecy) the Messiah had to be born to a virgin?

Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned

Romans 5:12

• Sin. That's why the Messiah had to be born of a virgin. Because of Adam's sin, we have all inherited sin and the death that is the result of sin.
• Many wise men, believe that sin is passed down through the father and since everybody has an earthly father, everybody has inherited sin.
• The father, as you might recall from last week when we studied "Everlasting Father" represents the first of it's kind. In other words, If the father sinned, all of his descendents like him sin.
• But Jesus, the Messiah, did not have an earthly father. Therefore, He did not inherit the sin of Adam.
• Another aspect of the Messiah being born to a virgin is that, well, it would be a miracle since normally there needs to be a mother and a father to make a baby.
• But remember we're talking about a Messiah whose name would be "Wonderful" and that Hebrew word means miraculous!

The Road To Bethlehem: Bethlehem

Today as we continue on the road to Bethlehem, I want to read a little bit about Bethlehem and who is associated with it. Bethlehem means "house of bread." It is also known as Ephrath which means "place of fruitfulness." Several well known Old Testament people are associated with Bethlehem.

• Rachel (wife of Jacob) was buried near Bethlehem (Genesis 35:19)
• Elimelech was from Bethlehem. He was the husband of Naomi who went and died in Moab. Naomi returned to Bethlehem with her daughter-in-law Ruth.
• Boaz, who married Ruth, was from Bethlehem, as was their son Obed and their grandson Jesse.
• Jesse was the father of David, the second King of Israel, writer of many Psalms, "a man after God's own heart," and one through whom the Messiah was promised.

Another well know prophecy of the Messiah focuses on Bethlehem.

"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

• Although many significant people came from Bethlehem, it was a city for one of the smallest tribes of Israel.
• This verse says talks about a "ruler over Israel." How does this remind you of Isaiah 9:7?
• The government shall be on his shoulders
• wonderful counselor
• Prince of Peace
• This verse also mentions "whose origins are from old, from ancient times." How does that remind you of Isaiah 9:7?
• Everlasting Father
• Jesus was born in Bethlehem and He is King of Kings and He has existed forver. Do you think Jesus fulfills this prophecy?

The Road To Bethlehem: Prince of Peace

Today, we finish up our journey through Isaiah 9:6 (but not the road to Bethlehem) as we come to "Prince of Peace."

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.

Isaiah 9:6

• The Hebrew words here are sar shalowm.

• Sar means prince or commander. It is used in the Old Testament of both nobility (princes) and commanders of armies.
• Shalowm is a word that today is used of peace. It can refer to completeness (in number), safety, soundness (in body), welfare, health, prosperity, peace, quiet, tranquillity, contentment, peace in friendship
• We know that the Messiah will be
• ruler of everything (the governement will be on his shoulders)
• a master strategist (wonderful counselor)
• a mighty warrior (mighty God)
• forever (everlasting father)
• So what will he rule over?
• a complete kingdom - not one of His children will be left out
• a safe kingdom where we will be free from harm
• a healthy kingdom where no one will get sick again
• a peaceful kingdom where there will be no more war
• If that sounds like Heaven, it is!
• From all that we've learned by looking at Isaiah 9:6, can you see how the Israelites would be looking forward excitedly for the Messiah?
• Aren't you glad that we know the Messiah is Jesus?
• Are you glad that Jesus is the fulfillment of this prophecy?

The Road To Bethlehem: Everlasting Father

As we continue on the road to Bethlehem, we come now to "Everlasting Father."

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.

Isaiah 9:6

• The Hebrew words we see here are `ad 'ab.
• `ad means "perpetuity, for ever, continuing future." and both means ancient (from forever ago) and lasting for all times (until forever in the future)
• 'ab means "father" or "head or founder of a household," or "ancestor," or "originator or patron of a class, profession, or art (i.e., first of it's kind)"
• So, how long has the child who was to be born existed?
• How long will He exist?
• How long has Jesus existed?


• How long will Jesus exist?

He [God] predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—

Ephesians 1:5

• This verse says we were adopted through Jesus. Would this confirm the Messiah as father or head of household?

For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

Romans 8:29

• This verse talks of Jesus being the firstborn among many brothers. Does this sound like the Messiah is originator or patron of a class, profession, or art (i.e., first of it's kind)
• Does it sound to you like Jesus fulfills the "Everlasting Father" part of this prophecy?

The Road To Bethlehem: Mighty God

As we continue on the road to Bethlehem, we come to "Mighty God."

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.

Isaiah 9:6

• The Hebrew word gibbowr means strong and mighty. It is often used to describe mighty warriors, fighting men, or heroes.
• How would you define mighty?
• What are some ways that God is mighty?
• What are some things that God battles against?
• What are some ways that God is a hero?
• The Hebrew word el which is translated here as God means god or mighty one.
• So, in effect, we could translate gibbowr el as "Mighty, mighty God" further emphasizing God's mightiness!
• Isn't it good to know that the Messiah, who will be running the world and will be a master strategist, is called mighty mighty?
• If the Messiah is Mighty God, do you think he'll be able to carry out his plans?

The Road To Bethlehem: Counsleor

As we continue on the road to Bethlehem, we continue with our examination of the prophecy of the Messiah in Isaiah 9:6. Thus far, we've read about how the Messiah will

• Be born a baby
• Will be a son
• Will be ruler over all, and
• Will be wonderful

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.

Isaiah 9:6

• In the Old Testament, a counsellor was someone who gave you advice and helped you plan. The Hebrew word here was often used of a king's top helpers, the people who helped the most in running his kingdom.
• We know that the Messiah would be the King of Kings. Here we see him referred to as Counselor. To me, this says that as King of Kings, he doesn't need anyone's advice. He already knows what is best.
• As I mentioned when we looked at "wonderful" most translations treat this as one phrase: "Wonderful Counselor." The New English Translation of the Bible translates this phrase as "Extraordinary Strategist."
• We often think of strategy when we're playing chess. We think a move may be a good move because it causes our oppponent to not have any good moves or to lose.
• The Messiah, the prophecy says, will be a master strategist. He will always know what the best move will be. He will always know how to acheive victory.
• Do you think that Jesus knows what is best for you?
• Can you follow Jesus' advice?
• Do you think that you should do what Jesus says to do?

The Road to Bethlehem: Wonderful

Yesterday, we read about how it was prophesied that the Messiah would run the world. Today, we'll look at the word in the prophecy: "wonderful."

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.

Isaiah 9:6

Looking at some of the comments on this verse in the Bible there are some people who put a comma in between "wonderful" and "counselor" and some who don't. From reading "Eats Shoots and Leaves," we know things read differently if we punctuate them differently. For purposes of today's Bible study, I am going to treat it as if there is a comma there. Today we will be looking at the Messiah being called Wonderful.

• Dictionary.com defines wonderful as "excellent; great; marvelous" or "of a sort that causes or arouses wonder; amazing; astonishing:" How would you define wonderful?
• What is something that you would describe as "wonderful"?
• The Hebrew word here is pele' which is often used in describing miracles or marvelous deeds. Can you think of some miracles God did in the Old Testament?
• Other times that this Hebrew word is used, it is translated as astonishing which is how you would describe something that was so amazing that it surprised you. Can you think of something that is wonderful in this way?
• Jesus did many miracles when He was here on earth. What are some that you can remember?
• Do you think the people who saw these miracles would describe Jesus as wonderful?
• Would you say Jesus is wonderful?

The Road to Bethlehem: The Government On His Shoulders

Yesterday, we read about how it was prophesied that the Messiah would be a son. Today, we'll look at the next phrase in the prophecy: "the government will be on his shoulders."

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.

Isaiah 9:6

Here in Virginia, the governor is the one person of whom it can be said that the government is on his shoulders. There is no higher authority in Virgina than the governor. In the United States, the President holds that distinction. There is no one person who has greater authority for the running of the United States than does the President. In Isaiah 9, we read that the Messiah has the government on his shoulders.

• What are some of the implications of the government being on the Messiah's shoulders?
• He has authority. You can't run a government if you don't have any authority. Jesus says in Matthew 28:18 "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me." Jesus has authority. He is in charge.
• He is over all the earth. Jesus doesn't just have the government of one part of the earth on His shoulders, he has it all. As we just saw "all authority in heaven and on earth" was given to Jesus. There is nowhere on Earth where He is not in charge.
• He is involved with our daily lives. The world is not like a wind-up toy that you wind up and let go and then watch what it does. The world is more like our electric Polar Express train. It only runs when you are running it. As Jesus is running the world, He is daily running it. Every day, He is a part of it. If He weren't, the world wouldn't run.
• He has our best interests at heart. In America, if the country didn't feel that the President had their best interests at heart, he wouldn't get reelected. We know that Jesus has our best interests at heart because we know that He came to save us from our sin and to bring us close to God.
• In Pinky and the Brain, the Brain is always trying to take over the world. Does it ever work for him? No
• Is the Brain truly capable of running the world? No
• Is Jesus capable of running the world? Yes, of course He is
• Who would you rather run the world? The Brain or Jesus? Why?

The Road to Bethlehem: A Son Is Given

Yesterday, we read about how it was prophesied that the Messiah would be given as a baby. Today, I want to look at the next phrase in the prophecy: "a son is given."

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.

Isaiah 9:6

To us a son is given. In Bible times, having a son was important. The son would be the heir, the one who would take over when the father died. The son would inherit the father's possessions and take over as the leader of the family. The son of a king would become the next king. Sons were important to carry on the family line. Though daughters were important too, when married they would become part of their husbands families. Today in America, sons aren't quite as distinctive as they were in Bible times. But in other places around the world, like China where families are encouraged to only have one child, parents prize sons and if a daughter is born they might give the daughter up for adoption hoping that they will subsequently have a son to carry on their family.

• Why do you think that it was important that the Messiah would be a son?
• He would be a prophet. Most of the prophets who brought God's word to His people were men. Yes, there were some prophets who were women, but most of them were men. Jesus brought God's word to His people.
• He would be a priest. All of the priests in the old testament who would make sacrifices on behalf of God's people were men. Jesus is our great priest who intercedes on our behalf before God. He also was the ultimate sacrifice for our sin.
• He would be the King of Kings. Yes, women can be queens, but as the great ruler over all of Heaven and earth, Jesus would be King of Kings.
• Why is it important that the Messiah is a son given to us?
• It shows that we are family and not separated from God. Jesus isn't just some stranger doing something good for us, we are family.
• It shows God's love specifically for us. Jesus isn't like a great toy given to a friend that we get the benefit of playing with whenever we're at that friends how. Jesus was given to us and we get the benefit of knowing him all the time.
• It shows we have a continuing relationship with Jesus. I will always be your father and you will always be my sons no matter what happens. No matter what happens, we will always have a relationship with Jesus.

The Road to Bethlehem: A Child Is Born

Yesterday, we read about how Jesus was prophesied as a great light coming into the darkness. Today, we get into some of the richness that is in Isaiah 9:6 where we read a lot about who the Messiah is going to be and what He is going to do.

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.

Isaiah 9:6

Waiting can be hard, can't it? Yesterday, we also heard a little about how God's people were on the verge of being invaded by enemies. Through Isaiah, the Messiah was prophesied, but they would have to wait for the Messiah to come. And when the Messiah finally came, they would still have to wait a little bit longer. Why? "For to us a child is born." How many babies do you know that are great leaders? How many babies do you know that are great warriors? How many babies do you know that can defeat their enemies? Babies are good at eating, drinking, sleeping, pooping and peeing. Sure they will be able to do other things, but you have to wait for them to be able to do those things.

• What is significant about Jesus the Messiah coming as a baby?
• He was vulnerable. King Herod was so threatened by the birth of the Messiah that he had all of the young boys who were born around when Jesus was killed. (Matthew 2:16) An angel warned Joseph of this and he, Mary and baby Jesus fled to Egypt keeping Jesus safe.
• He was dependent on others. Babies can't feed or dress themselves. Babies need their parents to take care of them. Jesus, even though He was God, still needed Mary and Joseph to take care of him.
• He was able to experience all of human life live a sinless life.

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.

Hebrews 4:15

I can recall holding each of you when you were just babies. It was truly an incredible feeling you in my arms and feeling the overwhelming love I had for you. At the same time I knew of your weakness and vulnerability I also had dreams of the future and of watching you grow up and become Godly men. Since you both were born after Christmas, I was also amazed that God would send His Son into our world as a little baby. That helped to even better appreciate the love that He has for us.

The Road to Bethlehem: A Great Light

This week as we continue on the road to Bethlehem, we are going to spend a lot of time looking at one verse. This one prophecy has a lot to say about who Jesus is and what He came to earth for. Isaiah chapter 9 has a great prophecy of the Messiah. Verse 6 alone provides much rich description of the Messiah. But we're not going to get there today. Today we're going to look at the beginning of the prophecy. But first, let's read the whole thing.

¹ Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan-

² The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.

³ You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice when dividing the plunder.

⁴ For as in the day of Midian's defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor.

⁵ Every warrior's boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire.

⁶ 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.

7 Of the increase 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.

Isaiah 9:1-7

Today I want to focus on verse 2. Let's read that again...

The people who are now living in darkness will see a great light. They are now living in a very dark land. But a light will shine on them.

Isaiah 9:2 (NIrV)

When Isaiah made this prophecy, God's people were on the verge of being invaded by the Assyrians. This would be terrible for the Jewish people, especially in the Northern part of the promised land where the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali lived (they were mentioned in verse 1). The Northern part of the promised land was the hardest hit by the Assyrian invasion when it happened, but here, Isaiah talks of a great light in the darkness. Darkness can be scary. Especially when enemies are out to get you. We've read Psalm 23 before out of your little Bibles. Let's look at what that says about walking in darkness.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid. You are with me. Your shepherd's rod and staff comfort me.

Psalm 23:4 (NIrV)

We also read about the darkness in our study of Psalm 119. Let's look back on a little of that.

Your word is like a lamp that shows me the way. It is like a light that guides me.

Psalm 119:105 (NIrV)

When we read the Creation account, what was the first thing that God said "Let there be..."

God said, "Let there be light." And there was light.

Genesis 1:3 (NIrV)

• We discussed three purposes for light the other night while looking at Christmas lights. Who remembers them?
1. To help you see
2. To help you be seen
3. To communicate a message
• Considering those three purposes, how do you think this prophecy of Jesus the Messiah is represented?
1. Like God's Word (and as you recall in John 1, we see Jesus referred to as "the Word"), Jesus helps us to see where we should be going? He is the example of the sinless human and we are to strive to be like Him.
2. In Psalm 23 we read "you are with me." To me, this implies that God is close enough that He can see us, to the point that we are comforted. He knows where we are. Since it is through Jesus that our relationship with God is restored, Jesus helps us to be seen.
3. Also through Psalm 23, we realize that we can have hope and we don't have to be scared. God's shepherd's rod and staff comfort us. Jesus is the good shepherd and he communicates a message of love, protection, and comfort to us.
• Last, but not least, do you recall what God said about light after He created it? He said it was good.
• If light is good, what must this "great light" be? great, very good
• Do you believe Jesus is the "great light" spoke of here in Isaiah?

Let's close by looking at the first chapter of John and read about how Jesus IS the light.

The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.

John 1:9

The Road to Bethlehem: The Lamb of God

As we continue on the road the Bethlehem, today we look at another story from the life of Abraham that foretells of Jesus. In this passage in Genesis 22, we see how God is testing Abraham.

¹ Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, "Abraham!" "Here I am," he replied. ² Then God said, "Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about."

Genesis 22:1-2

God has told Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac as an offering God. Normally, one would sacrifice a lamb or a goat or some other animal, but God is telling Abraham to sacrifice his son. A burnt offering represents complete submission to God's will, the entire offering is given to God (i.e., it cannot be used after it is burnt) (http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/qorbanot.html#Olah). Of course, we know that ultimately God is the one who sacrifices His son Jesus. But in Abraham's time that hadn't happened yet. Abraham immediately obeys God and takes Isaac off to the place where the sacrifice will be made.

⁶ Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, ⁷ Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, "Father?" "Yes, my son?" Abraham replied. "The fire and wood are here," Isaac said, "but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?" ⁸ Abraham answered, "God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son." And the two of them went on together.

Genesis 22:6-8

Abraham and Isaac show up at the spot for the sacrifice and Isaac notices that something is missing (God didn't tell Isaac that he was to be sacrificed). Abraham knew that God would provide the lamb because Abraham knew that God had provided Isaac. Although Abraham may have been struggling trying to understand why God told him to sacrifice the son that God had given him when he was old - the son that was his first descendent in the line that would ultimately lead to Jesus, the son that God's promise would come through - he still obeyed God without hesitation!

⁹ When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. ¹⁰ Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. ¹¹ But the angel of the LORD called out to him from heaven, "Abraham! Abraham!" "Here I am," he replied. ¹² "Do not lay a hand on the boy," he said. "Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son." ¹³ Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son.

Genesis 22:9-13

God here provides the physical substitute for Isaac in the offering. In this case it is a ram (mountain goat). In the eternal scheme of things, the lamb He provides is His own son, Jesus. Though Jesus wasn't offered as a burnt offering and God didn't need to show complete submission to Himself, God knew that we needed to be cleansed of our sin and sacrificed Jesus for us.

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

John 1:29

Here we can see that Jesus is the Lamb provided to take away our sin. Turning back to Genesis 22, as the story ends, we can see the same promise we saw yesterday repeated.

and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me."

Genesis 22:18

All nations will be blessed through Abraham's offspring, his descendent. He will be a Lamb that God offers to take away the sin of the world. What greater blessing could we want?

The Road to Bethlehem: Abram's Promise

Our next stop on the road to Bethlehem is in Genesis 12. In this chapter, God is making a promise to Abram (who is later known as Abraham). Let's read.

¹ The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you.

² "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.

³ I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you."

Genesis 12:1-3

• This passage is where God tells Abram to move and go to the promised land. God promises him that he will have many descendents, though he was old and did not have any children. The promise ends with "all peoples on earth will be blessed through you."
• What do you think is meant by this?
• This gets mentioned a little later in the Bible.

⁸The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: "All nations will be blessed through you." ⁹So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.

Galatians 3:8-9

• Here, the Apostle Paul tells us that the promise in Genesis is referring to Jesus.
• Who does Paul say will be blessed? those who have faith
• Who does that include? Us
• Abraham lived almost 2,000 years before Jesus was born and yet God told him about Jesus. Like Adam and Eve before him, he may not have understood it fully, but we know that he had faith. We again have the advantage of having seen this promise fulfilled in Jesus.

The Road To Bethlehem: A First Prophecy

As we continue on the road to Bethlehem, I want to look at what I think to be the first prophecy concerning Jesus. This can be found in the third chapter of Genesis.

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

• This part of Genesis 3 deals with the curses that God has made after Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit and fell into sin.
• Specifically, here we are reading from the curse on the serpent (representing Satan)
• We can infer three things about Jesus from this prophecy.
1. He will be born to a virgin
2. He will destroy the power of Satan in our lives
3. He will suffer in saving us
• God says He will put enmity between the woman and the serpent. What is enmity? Hate
• Who's offspring (descendent) will have strike against the serpents? the woman's
• This indicates that a descendent of Eve will do this. In other words, the person who does this will have to be born rather than just created like Adam and Eve were.
• Furthermore, if you notice, instead of saying their (Adam's and Eve's) offspring it says hers. Some people who have written Bible commentaries (and have probably done a whole lot more study of this than I have) interpret this as indicating that this person referred to here will have an earthly mother but not a father. How can this happen?

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 1:18

• Jesus was conceived in Mary through the Holy Spirit! He had an earthly mother but not a father (although Joseph took care of him as if he were).
• The serpent represents Satan - the devil. The head refers to authority or power.
• This prophecy says Jesus will crush the serpent's head? What do you think that will do to the serpents power? end his power
• What did the serpent lead Adam and Eve to do? sin
• Do you recall what the wages of sin are? death
• If Jesus has died for our sins and we have accepted him as lord and savior, does the serpent still have power over us? no
• This verse ends with "you will strike his heel." The Hebrew word for strike can mean to bruise or to break or crush. The word for heel may also be translated footstep or footprint. Though I am not a Hebrew scholar, I might translate this as "You will break him where He walks."
• Where was Jesus broken? the cross
• Aren't you glad that when Jesus died on the cross that he rose from the dead and wasn't defeated after all?
• From this one verse here, we can sense God foretelling (prophesying) Jesus' birth, purpose (to crush the power of sin) and death. I don't know if Adam and Eve understood all of this at the time, but I'm glad that from looking at all of the Bible we can understand this!

The Road To Bethlehem: Jesus, Creator

As we begin the month of December and look forward to Christmas, I want to work our way through the Old Testament (with some journeys into the New Testament) and see what it has to say about Jesus. We'll be looking at prophecies about the coming Messiah that were fulfilled by Jesus as well as passages that - thanks to what we read in the New Testament - are about Jesus. Today, we'll begin at the beginning: Genesis 1.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Genesis 1:1

Now of course, we read that "God created," it doesn't say "Jesus created." Why is it that we can read this and think of Jesus?

¹In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ²He was with God in the beginning. ³Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

John 1:1-3

• Here in John, "the Word" refers to Jesus. Thus, we could read this passage as:
1. In the beginning was Jesus, and Jesus was with God and Jesus was God.
2. Jesus was with God in the beginning.
3. Through Jesus all things were made, without Jesus nothing was made that has been made.
• Based on what we read in John, would you agree that Jesus was involved in Genesis 1:1?
• Though Jesus had not come into the world, the world was created through him. Let's read a little bit more in John 1.

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.

John 1:14a

• What is this verse talking about?
• Though Jesus was there in the beginning, he did not become flesh until that first Christmas!
• Now that we've seen Jesus in the very first verse in the Bible, we'll be looking out for him in other places in the Old Testament as we go through the month of December.