Christmas Prophecy 6

The Messiah had to come out of Egypt.

Prophecy -

Hosea 11:1

“When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My son."

Now this one seems to be a stretch, right? This is clearly talking of the Israelites being brought out of Egypt, out of their slavery, when they crossed the Red Sea, into their Promised Land. Right? So, are we taking it out of context? We don't have to wonder. Matthew, a disciple of Jesus, took this verse and tells us that Jesus was fulfilling it. I believe that the Holy Spirit is the true author of every single word of our Bible. If He allowed this in, then it is God's Word.

Fulfillment -

Matthew 2:13-15
Now when they had departed [the wise men], behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.” When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt, and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, “Out of Egypt I called My Son.”

Herod gave an edict (see verse 16) to put to death all male children two and under, for this was the time range that Jesus could have been born in, according to the information he had from the wise men. Mary and Joseph and Jesus stayed in Egypt until Herod was dead, then they came back to Israel (see verses 19 through 21). So we can see how Jesus could both be born in Bethlehem, but come out of Egypt, fulfilling two different prophecies.

This is a continuation of our Christmas Prophecy series. To read part one and two, click here:
Christmas Prophecy 1
Christmas Prophecy 2
Christmas Prophecy 3
Christmas Prophecy 4

Christmas Prophecy 5