Topical Bible: Prophecies Respecting Christ: His Being Called out of Egypt: Fulfilled

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The prophecy concerning Christ being called out of Egypt is a significant element in the messianic expectations found within the Old Testament and its fulfillment in the New Testament. This prophecy is rooted in the book of Hosea and finds its realization in the early life of Jesus Christ, as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew.

Old Testament Prophecy

The prophecy originates in Hosea 11:1, which states, "When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My son." In its immediate context, this verse refers to the historical event of the Exodus, where God called the nation of Israel, His "son," out of bondage in Egypt. However, this verse also carries a deeper, prophetic layer that points forward to the Messiah, who would embody the true Israel and fulfill God's redemptive purposes.

New Testament Fulfillment

The Gospel of Matthew explicitly identifies the fulfillment of this prophecy in the life of Jesus. After the visit of the Magi, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, warning him to flee to Egypt with Mary and the infant Jesus to escape King Herod's murderous intent. Matthew 2:14-15 records, "So he got up, took the Child and His mother by night, and withdrew to Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: 'Out of Egypt I called My Son.'"

Matthew's Gospel presents Jesus as the true and greater Israel, the one who recapitulates the history of Israel in His own life. Just as Israel was called out of Egypt to become God's covenant people, so too was Jesus called out of Egypt to inaugurate the new covenant and fulfill God's salvific plan.

Theological Significance

The fulfillment of this prophecy underscores the divine orchestration of events in the life of Jesus, affirming His identity as the promised Messiah. It highlights the continuity between the Old and New Testaments, demonstrating that Jesus is the culmination of God's redemptive history. The typological connection between Israel and Jesus emphasizes that Jesus is the faithful Son who succeeds where Israel failed, perfectly fulfilling the law and the prophets.

This prophecy also serves as a testament to God's sovereignty and faithfulness. Despite the apparent threat to the messianic line posed by Herod's actions, God's purposes prevail, ensuring the safety and mission of His Son. The calling of Jesus out of Egypt is a profound reminder of God's providential care and His unwavering commitment to His promises.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

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.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Quotations from the Old Testament in the New.
... Respecting this class of quotations, it is only ... 6. Of the prophecies quoted, some
refer immediately to ... was confirmed for ever through Christ; and Solomon's ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxix quotations from the.htm

Interpretation of Prophecy.
... to become absorbed in calculations beforehand respecting its dates ... to Christ as the
chief subject of the prophecies. ... the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxviii interpretation of prophecy.htm

Translated from the Greek.
... letter." [2932] For if the judgment respecting the "Jew ... its commencement lower down
with Christ, who is ... If, therefore, the prophecies relating to Judea, and ...
/.../origen/origen de principiis/translated from the greek.htm

The Hebrew Prophecies.
... common denominator for this collection of prophecies.". ... upon several interesting
critical inquiries respecting the component ... to destroy the authority of Christ. ...
/.../gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter v the hebrew prophecies.htm

The Meaning
... Now to that vision the remaining prophecies of the same ... it is unnecessary to add
a word more respecting it. ... a war of three hundred years, when Christ saw that ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mede/a key to the apocalypse/the meaning 3.htm

The Sovereignty of God in Operation
... The hundreds of prophecies which are found in the Old ... we are His workmanship, created
in Christ Jesus unto ... an argument at this point respecting the believer's ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter six the sovereignty of.htm

The Opinions
... the house of Elias, whose tradition respecting the millennium ... will moreover reflect,
that unless Christ our Lord ... not that those very clear prophecies of events ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mede/a key to the apocalypse/the opinions.htm

Index of Subjects.
... Prophets, the Hebrew, and their prophecies respecting Christ, defended against ... and
Son of God, Christ the, denied ... absurd views of Faustus respecting, [889]252 ...
/.../writings in connection with the donatist controversy /index of subjects.htm

The City of God. Index of Subjects.
... Hosea, his prophecies respecting the things of the gospel, [858]375 ... received by,
just as his father died ... Isaiah, the predictions of, respecting Christ, [893]376. ...
/.../augustine/on christian doctrine in four books /the city of god index.htm

Interpretation of Holy Scripture. --Inspired Interpretation. --The ...
... of Esau's posterity and Balaam's prophecies,"the Cloud ... solution, to all those
difficulties respecting places of ... Abraham and the day of Christ,"just midway ...
/.../burgon/inspiration and interpretation/sermon v interpretation of holy.htm