How does Galatians 4:4 connect to Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah? The Fullness of Time Arrives Galatians 4:4 – “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law.” • “Fullness of time” signals a precise, sovereignly appointed moment. • Every Old Testament promise converged here—nothing happened early, nothing happened late. Born of a Woman: Promise First Heard in Eden • Genesis 3:15 – “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; He will crush your head, and you will strike His heel.” – First prophecy of a Redeemer from the woman’s seed. • Isaiah 7:14 – “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel.” – Virgin conception explains how the Messiah comes “of a woman,” yet uniquely of God. • Isaiah 9:6–7 promises the child who is “Mighty God,” solidifying that Galatians 4:4 speaks of divine incarnation, not mere human birth. Born Under the Law: Covenant Fulfilled, Curse Removed • Psalm 40:7–8 – “Here I am… I delight to do Your will, O my God; Your law is within my heart.” – Messianic anticipation of perfect obedience. • Isaiah 42:21 declares Messiah will “magnify the Law and make it glorious.” • By submitting to circumcision (Luke 2:21), Temple requirements (Luke 2:22–24), and every command, Jesus did what no one else could—fulfilling the Law to redeem those under its curse (cf. Deuteronomy 27:26; Galatians 3:13). Bethlehem to the Throne: Lineage and Location • Micah 5:2 – “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah… from you shall come forth for Me One to be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient days.” – Coordinates the “sending” of the Son to a precise birthplace. • 2 Samuel 7:12–16 and Jeremiah 23:5 reveal the royal, Davidic identity needed for the Messiah’s legal right to Israel’s throne—fitting the “Son” language of Galatians 4:4. The Prophetic Clock: Why Then? • Daniel 9:24–27 outlines seventy weeks until Messiah appears and is “cut off,” placing His coming squarely within first-century Judea. • Malachi 3:1 foretells, “The Lord you seek will suddenly come to His temple,” implying the Temple must still be standing—another first-century necessity. • Roman roads, common Greek, and a unified empire allowed rapid spread of the gospel; yet these historical factors only mirror the divine schedule foretold by Scripture. Messiah’s Mission: Redemption and Adoption Galatians 4:5 continues, “to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption as sons.” Every Old Testament prophecy about deliverance (Isaiah 53; Zechariah 12:10; Psalm 22) funnels into this purpose: • Redeeming from slavery to sin. • Granting full family status to all who believe—Jews and Gentiles alike. Connecting the Dots • Galatians 4:4 acts like a summary caption over centuries of prophecy. • Every detail—His birth, timing, lineage, obedience—was mapped out long before in Scripture and fulfilled with absolute precision. • The same God who orchestrated these events keeps every promise today; trust is never misplaced when it rests on His unfailing Word. |
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