God Tells the Future

Modern technology allows doctors to predict when a mother will have her baby. However, technology can only tell a few months in advance. God always has been, and always will be, smarter than man's technology. More than 8,400 months (700 years!) before Jesus was born, God announced His arrival to the world. In fact, God told us how Jesus would be born, where He would be born, and by what name people would call Him.

Why would God announce this news so far in advance? He did this for two important reasons. First, He wanted people to expect Jesus. And second, He wanted people to know that only He could know the future.

How did God tell people about Jesus? Around 730 B.C., God sent a prophet named Isaiah. A prophet was a person who received messages from God and delivered them to people. The "Birth Notice" in Isaiah 9:6 reads:

     For unto us a Child is born,
     Unto us a Son is given;
     And the government will be upon His shoulder.
     And His name will be called
     Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
     Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

This child would be the most important human ever to live on the Earth. His leadership would last forever.

Where was Jesus supposed to be born? Micah, another prophet of God who lived 600 years before Jesus, said: "But you, Bethlehem…out of you shall come forth…the One to be Ruler in Israel" (Micah 5:2). Matthew 2:1 tells us that, indeed, Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Isn't it amazing how God can tell the future with such accuracy?

Sadly, though, some of the people who lived during the time of Jesus were confused about this. They knew that Jesus came from Nazareth, in the region of Galilee. But people thought He was born there, too. They did not think this could be the One prophesied by Micah (John 7:41-42).

God told people about Jesus 700 years before He arrived. He wanted them to know that Jesus was the special Son of God. God wants you to know that He has the power to do everything—even to tell the future!

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