Momentum For Monday, December 16th 2024

“When Israel was a youth I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My son.” (Hosea 11:1)

Hosea was another Old Testament prophet that spoke of Jesus long before he was born. His name means salvation in Hebrew, which God most likely used him to signify hope to Israel. It was approximately 750 years b.c. when Hosea wrote the above prophecy.

The book of Hosea contains 3 charges against Israel and the prophecy in chapter 11 occurs towards the end of Hosea's 2nd charge. He addresses the rebellion of Israel not keeping loyalty to the covenant with God. Though he warns them that they would be punished, they will also be preserved because of God's love.

Yes, it is true that this speaks of the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt, but we see here a duality of prophecy coming true. Matthew's use if this verse is another great example of how the New Testament uses the Old Testament to explain overarching themes in the Bible, like that of Christ. But this passage speaks of Joseph and Mary's trek to Egypt due to Herod's order to kill all children two and under in the Bethlehem area.

Hosea proves to be yet another prophet that speaks of Jesus centuries before he was born. These prophecies weren't manufactured creatively to tell a fairytale, God used many people to foretell of Christ's coming in several parts of biblical history. Each one aids in confirming the same message and existence of the son of God.

“‘He stayed there until the death of Herod; this happened so that what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet would be fulfilled: “Out of Egypt I called My Son.”’

(Matthew 2:15)