Matthew’s quotation of Hosea’s prophecy has often confused Christians. How is this faithful exegesis? But what we find in what might seem like almost a casual reference in passing is something that underlines even more of the glory of Christmas.

The Text: “When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt” (Hos. 11:1).

King's Cross Church is a member congregation of the CREC in Moscow, ID. Visit our website at https://kingscrossmoscow.com.

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When the wise men from the east asked where the King of the Jews was to be born, Herod gathered all the priests and scribes and ask them where the Messiah was supposed to be born. They cited Mi-cah’s prophecy that the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem.

It’s remarkable that the Jews knew this prophesy, knew that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, and still many refused (and still refuse) to believe in Him.

The Text: “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yetout of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she which travaileth hath brought forth: then the remnant of his brethren shall return unto the children of Israel. And he shall stand and feed in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God; and they shall abide: for now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth” (Mic. 5:2-4).

King's Cross Church is a member congregation of the CREC in Moscow, ID. Visit our website at https://kingscrossmoscow.com.

Follow us on Facebook: https://facebook.com/kingscrossmoscow.

This great Christmas verse should be understood as connected to the prophecy of the virgin birth and helps to confirm the New Testament’s insistence that Jesus is the child who was born of virgin to save us and our pitiful world.

But this is no mere spiritual reality; it is the ground of our confidence that Christ’s government and peace will increase until all of His enemies have been put beneath His feet. The One who was born in Bethlehem is the King of this world.

The Text: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this” (Is. 9:6-7).

King's Cross Church is a member congregation of the CREC in Moscow, ID. Visit our website at https://kingscrossmoscow.com.

Follow us on Facebook: https://facebook.com/kingscrossmoscow.