The Eternal Word; Jesus Before Time Began (An 8 week Study Week 2)

The Promise — Foretold Through the Prophets

This week will reveal how God set His redemption plan in motion long before Jesus’ birth. We’ll show that Christmas wasn’t an accident, but the fulfillment of divine promise.

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Scripture Focus: Isaiah 7:14, Micah 5:2, Isaiah 9:6–7, Genesis 12:3

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Ever since the beginning of time, God has been weaving a story of redemption. This is a story that finds its climax with the birth of Jesus Christ. The manger in Bethlehem wasn’t an afterthought; it was a promise that was fulfilled. It had been foretold through the lips of prophets, sustained through generations of waiting hearts, and delivered in the fullness of God’s perfect timing.

The coming of Jesus is the golden thread that ties all of Scripture together. From Genesis to Malachi, all of the prophets pointed forward to a Savior who would mend what sin had shattered. Every single prophecy whispered hope into dark times. They remind God’s people that no matter how bleak the circumstances, God had not forgotten them.

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God’s Promise in the Beginning

The first promise of the coming Savior appears as early as Genesis 3:15 — spoken in the aftermath of humanity’s first sin. God declared to the serpent:

“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.”

When humanity fell into sin, God already promised a Redeemer who would crush the power of evil. That single verse is known as the Protoevangelium: the “first gospel.” It foretells the coming of Jesus, born of a woman, who would conquer sin and death forever.

As the centuries passed, God continued to expand that promise and reassure His followers. To Abraham He said:

“Through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed” (Genesis 12:3).

That blessing was not a reference to material prosperity, but spiritual redemption! Foretelling of the arrival of the Messiah who would bring salvation to every nation. The promises of God are and will never be forgotten; they simply unfold in His perfect time. “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8

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The Prophets Declare the Coming King

As Israel’s history unfolded through slavery, freedom, kings, and exile. God’s prophets spoke with ever increasing clarity about the coming of the Messiah. Their words, God’s Word, became a light to generations who waited in faith.

In Isaiah 7:14, we read:

“The Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel.”

Immanuel meaning “God with us.” Not distant or far away, not abstract or theoretical, but present and near. God’s promise was not just deliverance from oppression but His very presence among His people.

Then, in Micah 5:2, written 700 years before Jesus’ birth, the prophet revealed the exact birthplace of the Messiah:

“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.”

Think of that there were seven centuries before the first Christmas morning. 700 years before Christ was born God named the small village where His Son would enter the world. Even the humble setting of the manger was part of His eternal plan.

Isaiah painted an even grander picture in Isaiah 9:6–7:

“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.”

These names describe more than a child. They describe the attributes of God Himself stepping into human history. The promised Messiah would not just bring peace; He is Peace.

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The Faithfulness of God in Every Generation

Between the last Old Testament prophet and the birth of Christ, 400 silent years passed. There were no new prophecies, no angelic voices, no visions. However God was still working behind the scenes. His silence didn’t mean absence; it meant preparation.

While Israel waited, there were empires that rose and fell. The Greek and Roman worlds brought common languages and roads that would one day carry the gospel far beyond Jerusalem. God was setting the stage for the arrival of His Son.

When we feel like God is silent, we always have to remember this truth: He never breaks His promises. What seems like delays are usually divine timing. Just as God fulfilled His Word perfectly in Bethlehem, He will fulfill every promise He has spoken to you.

Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 1:20,

“For no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ.”

Every prophecy, every covenant, every hope finds its “Yes” in Jesus. Christmas is the ultimate evidence of God’s faithfulness, a living testimony that what He says, He will do.

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The Promise Still Speaks Today

The prophets didn’t just predict the coming of Christ; their words continue to speak into us guiding us through our “waiting seasons”. We all have areas of life where we are longing for God’s promises to come to pass. We have needs like healing, direction, reconciliation, and breakthroughs physical and spiritual.

The story of Christmas teaches us and is proof that God’s promises are never empty. The same God who orchestrated centuries of prophecy to bring forth the Savior is still faithful to every word He has ever spoken over your life.

Perhaps you are in a “Micah moment” feeling small and unnoticed, wondering if God sees you. Remember Bethlehem: being small, humble, but chosen.

Perhaps you feel like you are in the silence between the Old and New Testaments waiting for a word, a sign, a move. Think and focus on Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth”. Remember: God is preparing something greater than you can see.

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Reflection for the Week

• How does seeing Jesus in the Old Testament strengthen your faith?
• What promise from God are you waiting to see fulfilled?
• How can you use this Advent season to renew your trust in His timing?

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Personal Application

Take time this week to write down one promise from God’s Word that you are believing for. Meditate on Isaiah 9:6 let each title of Jesus remind you of His nature and His power to fulfill what He has spoken.
When you feel discouraged, speak these words aloud:

“God, You are faithful. You fulfilled Your promise in Jesus, and You will fulfill Your promises in me.”

As you wait, worship because the same God who brought light to Bethlehem will bring light to your path. John 8:12

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for everything You have done. Thank you for my life, every breath I take, the health that I have, the list is endless. Thank you for going through the pain and anguish that You did not have to do. But You did and made so even though I am imperfect and do not always get things right You have held out Your hand and said come here it’ll be alright. Thank you lord. In Jesus Name Amen

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