When Prophecies Diverge: Jesus or Israel?
In this article, you will learn how Matthew 2:15 contradicts Hosea 11:1, Numbers 24:8, Exodus 4:22-23, Jeremiah 31:32 and Deuteronomy 4:34. Find the translations at the bottom of the page..
Matthew 2:15 presents a compelling narrative where Jesus' time in Egypt fulfills an ancient prophecy, yet several Old Testament scriptures seem to paint a different picture when examined closely. This raises intriguing questions about interpretation and fulfillment of prophecy.
In Matthew 2:15, it states that Jesus' stay in Egypt was part of God's divine plan, aligning with prophetic promises. However, this approach involves taking Old Testament scriptures that originally refer to the nation of Israel and applying them to Jesus’ life. For instance, Hosea 11:1 clearly talks about Israel's exodus from Egypt, saying "out of Egypt I called my son." Ancient readers understood this as a collective experience, not the actions of a single individual like Jesus.
Similarly, Numbers 24:8 discusses God's might in bringing Israel out of Egypt, emphasizing national deliverance. This theme of a collective journey continues in Exodus 4:22-23, where Israel is explicitly called God’s firstborn son. Jeremiah 31:32 recalls the covenant formed with Israel during the Exodus from Egypt, reinforcing the national focus. Deuteronomy 4:34 further emphasizes the collective nature of Israel's exodus, describing it as God taking a nation, rather than an individual, out of another.
These Old Testament references create a dynamic tension with Matthew's application to Jesus. It resembles reading an old family recipe said to serve an entire family, then trying to interpret it as serving a single person. The scale and focus shift dramatically. Why did the Gospel of Matthew, then, apply these national themes to a singular prophetic fulfillment in Jesus?
Such reinterpretations highlight the rich tapestry of biblical prophecy and pose questions about the connections between the Old and New Testaments. How can one reconcile these interpretations to better understand the different facets of prophecy? This intersection of texts invites us to ponder the broader meanings and fulfillments of these ancient words.
| # | Verse | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Matthew 2:15 | And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son. |
| 2. | Hosea 11:1 | When Israel [was] a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt. |
| 3. | Numbers 24:8 | God brought him forth out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn: he shall eat up the nations his enemies, and shall break their bones, and pierce [them] through with his arrows. |
| 4. | Exodus 4:22-23 | And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel [is] my son, [even] my firstborn: |
| 5. | Jeremiah 31:32 | Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day [that] I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: [although...: or, should I have continued an husband unto them?] |
| 6. | Deuteronomy 4:34 | Or hath God assayed to go [and] take him a nation from the midst of [another] nation, by temptations, by signs, and by wonders, and by war, and by a mighty hand, and by a stretched out arm, and by great terrors, according to all that the LORD your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes? |