May 25, 2025 • 13 mins
Welcome to the Christmas series! Amid defeat, oppression, and captivity, a prophetic chorus of hope was uttered from the darkness. The message to the hurting and broken is this: a hero is coming!
Sign up for special devotionals at StoriesoftheMessiah.com.
As we dive deeply into iconic Bible heroes' enthralling narratives, we find more than just stories of faith and miracles. We discover a recurrent theme, a spiritual undertone that connects each tale to the grandeur of the Gospel.
They're not just standalone legends; they're threads in a divine tapestry, weaving a story that foreshadows Jesus Christ, the ultimate hero, the promised Messiah who brings light to the darkest corners of history.
For more Bible stories download the Pray.com app.
To learn more about Rabbi Schneider visit https://discoveringthejewishjesus.com/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
For a child is born to us, a son is
given to us, and the government will be on his shoulders.
This name will be called Wonderful counselor Mighty God, Everlasting Father,
Prince of Peace. Isaiah nine six. Dear Heavenly Father, we
(00:23):
stand in awe and wonder at your birth. You are
the wonderful counselor Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.
The promise foretold so long ago has become our living hope,
our anchor hard joy Lord. In the midst of the festivities,
(00:48):
may we not lose sight of the true reason for
our celebration. Help us to reflect on the miraculous gift
of grace, to share your love and peace with those
around us, than to live in gratitude for the salvation
you offer. May our hearts be filled with the warmth
(01:10):
of your love, our holmes with the joy of your presence.
In the precious and holy name of Jesus, we pray, Amen,
Thank you for praying with me today. Continue your journey
with Jesus Christ on our next episode of Stories of
(01:33):
the Messiah with Rabbi Schneider.
Speaker 2 (01:41):
All humanity had will whisper us. The ancient world had
distant memories of Eden, but the image of paradise with
God became fuzzy at times. Yet, even though humanity had
strayed from him, the Lord had not to abandon them.
(02:01):
He was determined to restore the world and rid people
of their shame. The promise of a son who had
crushed the head of the serpent was not void. God
was still on the moon. God was about to orchestrate
a symphony of men and women into an anthem of
salvation from the ashes of dysfunction, disobedience, and disarray. God
(02:23):
would raise voices to herald his redemption and remind people
that hope is not dead. The whispers would soon rise
into a chorus. The Savior will come, The promised Son
will be born.
Speaker 3 (02:38):
Hello, and welcome to another Christmas episode of stories of
the Messiah. I'm Rabbi Schneider. From discovering the Jewish sees Us.
Before we immerse ourselves in the narrative of angels, wise
men and shepherds, we will set the stage. Christ's birth
was not a random event. It was a culmination of
hundreds of foreshadowings and proper consider the Old Testament books
(03:03):
like instruments in an orchestra. Each has different sounds and tunes,
but they all symphonize into one beautiful song. The Old
Testament books are all instruments contributing to the glorious anthem
of Jesus Christ. Our story today is less of a
story and more of a song. It will weave together
(03:24):
Old Testament events and prophecies like notes in a piece,
reminding us that Christ's birth is the crescendo of God's
glorious symphony. Let's immerse ourselves in the song now. Afterward
we will mine its depths for rich truths and Christmas themes.
Speaker 2 (03:45):
The tale began with Adam and Eve in the God
when God promised that a son would rise to defeat Eden.
Then generations later, God chose a man named Abraham to
embark on a journey of faith. God promised Abraham that
his lineage would bless the entire world. I will make
you into a great nation. Kings will come from you.
(04:09):
Your offspring will be as numerous as the stars. God
told him. Through his lineage, the seed was sown for
the coming of the Messiah. Abraham believed in God's goodness,
which was accounted to him as righteousness, but that faith
was tested when God told Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac,
but Isaac was spared by an angel in the final moments.
(04:32):
Isaac's story carried the echo of this promise. He symbolized
the future Christ child, who would willingly give himself for
the world. Generations passed, and the lineage of Abraham carried
on through Isaac, Jacob, and the twelve tribes of Israel
that came forth from him. Their descendants became enslaved and
oppressed under the brute of Egypt, but God's promise remained alive.
(04:55):
He delivered them using a boy who escaped an evil
decree to kill ChIL. He grew up to be Moses,
God's servant. It was he who prophesied of a greater
leader than him. God will raise up a prophet from
the midst of you. He declared, you will be like me,
only greater. It is unto him you will obey. For years,
(05:18):
God's people pined after this promised prophet, and years later,
on the grassy plains of Bethlehem, a boy was chosen
to carry that promise. He was the new thread woven
too the tapestry of redemption. David the Shepherd turned king
received God's promise. His throne, God declared, would be established forever,
(05:39):
paving the way for the Messiah, the everlasting King, from
the line of David. In the dusty streets of ancient Bethlehem,
as described by the prophet Micah, a prophecy was whispered
on the wind, out of you will become a ruler
over Israel, whose origins are from old from ancient times. Bethlehem,
(06:00):
a small town with humble shepherds, was set to cradle
a king. The prophet Isiah offered his prophetic voice, declaring
that a virgin would conceive and bear a son named Emmanuel,
or God with us. This child would be a wonderful
counselor Mighty God, everlasting Father, and Prince of peace. His
(06:21):
government and peace would never end. Reigning on David's throne
with justice and righteousness. With words strummed together like a
harmonious harp, Hoseiah illustrated a powerful image of God's love,
describing his people as a child he had taught to walk,
held by the hands healed, and bent down to feed.
This same compassionate paternal image foreshadowed the loving relationship God
(06:46):
would extend to humanity through Christ. Jeremiah added another melody,
prophesying the new covenant God would make with his people.
He would put his law in their minds, righted on
their hearts, and forget their wickedness. This covenant of love, mercy,
and intimacy foretold the error of the Messiah. Yet before
(07:08):
this promised hero would come, a voice would cry out
in the wilderness, a man with the voice of Elijah himself,
declaring the coming kingdom of God. He would make a
way for Messiah to come. His voice would be the
sounding trumpet, awakening God's people to look in awe at
his redemptive plan. The glory of the Lord is being revealed.
(07:30):
Yet amid these joyous declarations, the prophecy of Isaiah also
foretold a suffering servant, one who would be despised, rejected,
and carry our sorrows, one who would be pierced for
our transgressions, a symbol of divine love and sacrifice. Little
could any of these prophets know that this suffering servant
would be a carpenter from Nazareth, hanging from a rugged cross.
(07:53):
But before we can speak of his death, we must
look towards his birth. The prophecies of old woven through
sennes converged in a humble manger where a child was born.
The echoes of Abraham, Isaiah, Micah, Joseiah, Jeremiah, Malachi, and
Samuel resounded in his birth. The Christmas miracle fulfilled their words,
(08:16):
bringing hope, redemption, and proof that God was indeed with us.
Speaker 3 (08:22):
This story paints us a breakthrough picture of the prophecies
foretold in the Old Testament, culminating in the birth of Christ.
This adaptation is a vivid reminder that God's plans are intricate, detailed,
and perfect in their timing. Let's now explore the three
main themes that further deep on our understanding of this
(08:45):
beautiful story. First, we must consider that Christ's birth was
not an accident. The birth of Jesus was no random event.
It was foreseen and foretold throughout the various hints spread
across the Old Testament. Genesis three point fifteen was God's
first hint. The promise to Eve that her offspring would
(09:06):
crush the serpent's head pointed to Jesus' work on the cross.
Isaiah seven fourteen prophesied a virgin birth, signaling something divine
and unprecedented. Micah five two points to Bethlehem is the
birthplace of a ruler descended from David, Jeremiah's prophecy, and
Jeremiah thirty one spoke of a new covenant and God's
(09:29):
eternal plan to establish a closer relationship with this people.
These examples, along with others from Abraham, Moses, and David,
show the intentional unfolding of God's plan of salvation intricately
woven through centuries. If you are ever curious about the
Messianic prophecies, you can visit our ministry website Discovering the
(09:53):
Jewish Jesus dot com. It has been my passion to
showcase just how interwoven the Old and New test It's
our The New Testament Gospel finds its roots, context, and
richness in the Old Testament stories and prophecies. Understanding the
fullness of God's love and the enormity of Christ's sacrifice
(10:14):
requires a deep appreciation for the narrative unfolding across the Bible.
The commandments given to Moses and the prophetic writings build
the foundation for understanding our need for redemption. In our
first season of Stories of the Messiah, we showcased how
different characters foreshadowed Christ. From Abraham's near sacrifice of Isaac
(10:36):
to the passover Lamb, these Old Testament events symbolize Christ's
ultimate sacrifice. The Gospel is not an isolated story, but
part of a grand narrative that spans across the whole Bible.
This perspective illuminates the richness and complexity of God's love
and salvation. Christmas is not just a moment in time,
(11:00):
but a climax and a grand divine symphony that played
out over thousands of years. This story underscores severally central
lessons for us today. God's promises given to Adam, Abraham, David,
and Drew the prophets were all fulfilled in Jesus. He
keeps his word even across generations. While humanity often grows impatient,
(11:25):
God's timing is perfect. The waiting led to the perfect
moment for Christ's birth, demonstrating that his plans, though they
may seem slow, turn out beautiful in the end. The
birth of Christ is a profound event, not merely for
what happened in that manger, but for everything that led
to it. From whispers in the garden of Eden to
(11:48):
a growing chorus across centuries, the Old Testament prophecies build
a majestic symphony culminating in Christ's birth. This Christmas, as
we celebrate the birth of our seine behavior, Let's remember
Christ's birth was carefully planned, fore told, and executed by
a loving God. Let's remember the Gospel's full beauty shines
(12:11):
through understanding the entire biblical narrative. And finally, let's learn
to rely on God's timing. Though slow by our standards,
God's promises always led to a beautiful culmination. Reflecting on
these truths can infuse our Christmas celebrations with a deeper
sense of awe, gratitude, and joy. As we hear the
(12:35):
familiar Christmas carols and chaer and the festivities, may we
also hear the ancient whispers of God's love and redemption,
now sung by a joyful chorus declaring the Savior is born.
In our next episode, we will witness the birth of
a special child. Many would consider him to be a God.
(12:57):
I know what you might be thinking, but we are
You're quite ready to meet Jesus. First, we'll meet a
boy by the name of Octavian history knows him by
a different name, Caesar Augustus. Are you interested in further
exploring the presence of Jesus in the Old Testament. If so,
head over to our website, Discoveringthejewish Jesus dot com. If
(13:20):
you enjoy today's podcast, leave us a review and share
with a friend. We want the story of the Bible
and the hope of Jesus to be spread worldwide. To
make prayer a priority and hear more stories to inspire hope,
visit pray dot com.
For a child is born to us, a son is
given to us, and the government will be on his shoulders.
This name will be called Wonderful counselor Mighty God, Everlasting Father,
Prince of Peace. Isaiah nine six. Dear Heavenly Father, we
(00:23):
stand in awe and wonder at your birth. You are
the wonderful counselor Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.
The promise foretold so long ago has become our living hope,
our anchor hard joy Lord. In the midst of the festivities,
(00:48):
may we not lose sight of the true reason for
our celebration. Help us to reflect on the miraculous gift
of grace, to share your love and peace with those
around us, than to live in gratitude for the salvation
you offer. May our hearts be filled with the warmth
(01:10):
of your love, our holmes with the joy of your presence.
In the precious and holy name of Jesus, we pray, Amen,
Thank you for praying with me today. Continue your journey
with Jesus Christ on our next episode of Stories of
(01:33):
the Messiah with Rabbi Schneider.
Speaker 2 (01:41):
All humanity had will whisper us. The ancient world had
distant memories of Eden, but the image of paradise with
God became fuzzy at times. Yet, even though humanity had
strayed from him, the Lord had not to abandon them.
(02:01):
He was determined to restore the world and rid people
of their shame. The promise of a son who had
crushed the head of the serpent was not void. God
was still on the moon. God was about to orchestrate
a symphony of men and women into an anthem of
salvation from the ashes of dysfunction, disobedience, and disarray. God
(02:23):
would raise voices to herald his redemption and remind people
that hope is not dead. The whispers would soon rise
into a chorus. The Savior will come, The promised Son
will be born.
Speaker 3 (02:38):
Hello, and welcome to another Christmas episode of stories of
the Messiah. I'm Rabbi Schneider. From discovering the Jewish sees Us.
Before we immerse ourselves in the narrative of angels, wise
men and shepherds, we will set the stage. Christ's birth
was not a random event. It was a culmination of
hundreds of foreshadowings and proper consider the Old Testament books
(03:03):
like instruments in an orchestra. Each has different sounds and tunes,
but they all symphonize into one beautiful song. The Old
Testament books are all instruments contributing to the glorious anthem
of Jesus Christ. Our story today is less of a
story and more of a song. It will weave together
(03:24):
Old Testament events and prophecies like notes in a piece,
reminding us that Christ's birth is the crescendo of God's
glorious symphony. Let's immerse ourselves in the song now. Afterward
we will mine its depths for rich truths and Christmas themes.
Speaker 2 (03:45):
The tale began with Adam and Eve in the God
when God promised that a son would rise to defeat Eden.
Then generations later, God chose a man named Abraham to
embark on a journey of faith. God promised Abraham that
his lineage would bless the entire world. I will make
you into a great nation. Kings will come from you.
(04:09):
Your offspring will be as numerous as the stars. God
told him. Through his lineage, the seed was sown for
the coming of the Messiah. Abraham believed in God's goodness,
which was accounted to him as righteousness, but that faith
was tested when God told Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac,
but Isaac was spared by an angel in the final moments.
(04:32):
Isaac's story carried the echo of this promise. He symbolized
the future Christ child, who would willingly give himself for
the world. Generations passed, and the lineage of Abraham carried
on through Isaac, Jacob, and the twelve tribes of Israel
that came forth from him. Their descendants became enslaved and
oppressed under the brute of Egypt, but God's promise remained alive.
(04:55):
He delivered them using a boy who escaped an evil
decree to kill ChIL. He grew up to be Moses,
God's servant. It was he who prophesied of a greater
leader than him. God will raise up a prophet from
the midst of you. He declared, you will be like me,
only greater. It is unto him you will obey. For years,
(05:18):
God's people pined after this promised prophet, and years later,
on the grassy plains of Bethlehem, a boy was chosen
to carry that promise. He was the new thread woven
too the tapestry of redemption. David the Shepherd turned king
received God's promise. His throne, God declared, would be established forever,
(05:39):
paving the way for the Messiah, the everlasting King, from
the line of David. In the dusty streets of ancient Bethlehem,
as described by the prophet Micah, a prophecy was whispered
on the wind, out of you will become a ruler
over Israel, whose origins are from old from ancient times. Bethlehem,
(06:00):
a small town with humble shepherds, was set to cradle
a king. The prophet Isiah offered his prophetic voice, declaring
that a virgin would conceive and bear a son named Emmanuel,
or God with us. This child would be a wonderful
counselor Mighty God, everlasting Father, and Prince of peace. His
(06:21):
government and peace would never end. Reigning on David's throne
with justice and righteousness. With words strummed together like a
harmonious harp, Hoseiah illustrated a powerful image of God's love,
describing his people as a child he had taught to walk,
held by the hands healed, and bent down to feed.
This same compassionate paternal image foreshadowed the loving relationship God
(06:46):
would extend to humanity through Christ. Jeremiah added another melody,
prophesying the new covenant God would make with his people.
He would put his law in their minds, righted on
their hearts, and forget their wickedness. This covenant of love, mercy,
and intimacy foretold the error of the Messiah. Yet before
(07:08):
this promised hero would come, a voice would cry out
in the wilderness, a man with the voice of Elijah himself,
declaring the coming kingdom of God. He would make a
way for Messiah to come. His voice would be the
sounding trumpet, awakening God's people to look in awe at
his redemptive plan. The glory of the Lord is being revealed.
(07:30):
Yet amid these joyous declarations, the prophecy of Isaiah also
foretold a suffering servant, one who would be despised, rejected,
and carry our sorrows, one who would be pierced for
our transgressions, a symbol of divine love and sacrifice. Little
could any of these prophets know that this suffering servant
would be a carpenter from Nazareth, hanging from a rugged cross.
(07:53):
But before we can speak of his death, we must
look towards his birth. The prophecies of old woven through
sennes converged in a humble manger where a child was born.
The echoes of Abraham, Isaiah, Micah, Joseiah, Jeremiah, Malachi, and
Samuel resounded in his birth. The Christmas miracle fulfilled their words,
(08:16):
bringing hope, redemption, and proof that God was indeed with us.
Speaker 3 (08:22):
This story paints us a breakthrough picture of the prophecies
foretold in the Old Testament, culminating in the birth of Christ.
This adaptation is a vivid reminder that God's plans are intricate, detailed,
and perfect in their timing. Let's now explore the three
main themes that further deep on our understanding of this
(08:45):
beautiful story. First, we must consider that Christ's birth was
not an accident. The birth of Jesus was no random event.
It was foreseen and foretold throughout the various hints spread
across the Old Testament. Genesis three point fifteen was God's
first hint. The promise to Eve that her offspring would
(09:06):
crush the serpent's head pointed to Jesus' work on the cross.
Isaiah seven fourteen prophesied a virgin birth, signaling something divine
and unprecedented. Micah five two points to Bethlehem is the
birthplace of a ruler descended from David, Jeremiah's prophecy, and
Jeremiah thirty one spoke of a new covenant and God's
(09:29):
eternal plan to establish a closer relationship with this people.
These examples, along with others from Abraham, Moses, and David,
show the intentional unfolding of God's plan of salvation intricately
woven through centuries. If you are ever curious about the
Messianic prophecies, you can visit our ministry website Discovering the
(09:53):
Jewish Jesus dot com. It has been my passion to
showcase just how interwoven the Old and New test It's
our The New Testament Gospel finds its roots, context, and
richness in the Old Testament stories and prophecies. Understanding the
fullness of God's love and the enormity of Christ's sacrifice
(10:14):
requires a deep appreciation for the narrative unfolding across the Bible.
The commandments given to Moses and the prophetic writings build
the foundation for understanding our need for redemption. In our
first season of Stories of the Messiah, we showcased how
different characters foreshadowed Christ. From Abraham's near sacrifice of Isaac
(10:36):
to the passover Lamb, these Old Testament events symbolize Christ's
ultimate sacrifice. The Gospel is not an isolated story, but
part of a grand narrative that spans across the whole Bible.
This perspective illuminates the richness and complexity of God's love
and salvation. Christmas is not just a moment in time,
(11:00):
but a climax and a grand divine symphony that played
out over thousands of years. This story underscores severally central
lessons for us today. God's promises given to Adam, Abraham, David,
and Drew the prophets were all fulfilled in Jesus. He
keeps his word even across generations. While humanity often grows impatient,
(11:25):
God's timing is perfect. The waiting led to the perfect
moment for Christ's birth, demonstrating that his plans, though they
may seem slow, turn out beautiful in the end. The
birth of Christ is a profound event, not merely for
what happened in that manger, but for everything that led
to it. From whispers in the garden of Eden to
(11:48):
a growing chorus across centuries, the Old Testament prophecies build
a majestic symphony culminating in Christ's birth. This Christmas, as
we celebrate the birth of our seine behavior, Let's remember
Christ's birth was carefully planned, fore told, and executed by
a loving God. Let's remember the Gospel's full beauty shines
(12:11):
through understanding the entire biblical narrative. And finally, let's learn
to rely on God's timing. Though slow by our standards,
God's promises always led to a beautiful culmination. Reflecting on
these truths can infuse our Christmas celebrations with a deeper
sense of awe, gratitude, and joy. As we hear the
(12:35):
familiar Christmas carols and chaer and the festivities, may we
also hear the ancient whispers of God's love and redemption,
now sung by a joyful chorus declaring the Savior is born.
In our next episode, we will witness the birth of
a special child. Many would consider him to be a God.
(12:57):
I know what you might be thinking, but we are
You're quite ready to meet Jesus. First, we'll meet a
boy by the name of Octavian history knows him by
a different name, Caesar Augustus. Are you interested in further
exploring the presence of Jesus in the Old Testament. If so,
head over to our website, Discoveringthejewish Jesus dot com. If
(13:20):
you enjoy today's podcast, leave us a review and share
with a friend. We want the story of the Bible
and the hope of Jesus to be spread worldwide. To
make prayer a priority and hear more stories to inspire hope,
visit pray dot com.
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