PROPHECIES AND THE OMNIPOTENCE OF GOD.
The second chapter of Matthew is a profound display of how God orchestrates history to fulfill His word. It serves as a bridge between the ancient promises of the Old Testament and their realization in the person of Jesus Christ.
Prophetic Fulfillments in Matthew 2 (KJV)
Matthew highlights four specific instances where the events surrounding Christ’s birth directly fulfilled ancient scripture.
| Old Testament Prophecy | Scriptural Source | Matthew 2 Fulfillment Verse |
| The Birthplace of the Messiah | Micah 5:2 | Matthew 2:5-6 |
| Called Out of Egypt | Hosea 11:1 | Matthew 2:15 |
| The Lamentation in Ramah | Jeremiah 31:15 | Matthew 2:17-18 |
| To be Called a Nazarene | Various (Isa. 11:1 / Judg. 13:5)* | Matthew 2:23 |
> Note on Matthew 2:23: This refers to “the prophets” (plural), likely pointing to the Hebrew word Netzer (Branch) in Isaiah 11:1 or the humble reputation associated with Nazareth.
5 Ways These Events Demonstrate God’s Omnipotence
The “Omnipotent Power” of God is His ability to do anything that is in harmony with His nature. Matthew 2 displays this through:
* Sovereignty Over Time: God spoke words through prophets hundreds of years apart, yet perfectly synchronized their fulfillment in a single window of time.
* Command of Celestial Bodies: He created and moved a specific “star” (Matt 2:2) to act as a GPS for the Magi, showing His authority over the entire universe.
* Supremacy Over Earthly Rulers: Despite King Herod’s political power and murderous intent, God rendered his plans futile through divine warnings and timing.
* Omniscience through Dreams: God bypassed human logic by communicating directly with Joseph and the Wise Men in dreams, demonstrating His total access to the human mind and future outcomes.
* Geographical Providence: God moved a family across international borders—from Bethlehem to Egypt to Galilee—to ensure every minute detail of prophecy was satisfied.
5 Moral Lessons from Matthew 2:6
> “And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.”
Based on this specific verse, we can derive the following lessons:
* Size Does Not Define Significance: Bethlehem was “least” among the cities, yet it was chosen for the greatest event. Never despise small beginnings or humble backgrounds.
* The Power of Divine Election: God does not choose based on human standards of prestige. He chooses the “lowly things of the world” to confound the mighty.
* True Leadership is Shepherding: The word “rule” in this context implies a shepherd-king. True power is meant to be used for the guidance and care of others, not exploitation.
* God Remembers His Promises: Hundreds of years passed after Micah’s prophecy, but God did not forget. Patience is required because God’s timing is dictated by His faithfulness.
* Redemption from Obscurity: God can take a place or a person that the world overlooks and make them the center of His redemptive plan.
Conclusion and Challenge
Matthew 2 teaches us that God is the Master Architect of history. No decree of a king, no distance of travel, and no passage of time can hinder what He has spoken. If God was meticulous enough to manage the details of Christ’s birth—down to the specific town and the stars in the sky—He is certainly capable of managing the details of your life.
The Challenge:
Identify one “small” or “insignificant” area of your life that you have been discouraged about. This week, consciously hand that area over to God, trusting that He specializes in bringing “Governors” out of “Bethlehems.”
