Virtual Nativity - The Prophets

Isaiah

An ivory panel of Isaiah from the ‘Latin Gospel Lectionary’ held in the University of Oxford’s Bodleian Library.

Micah

A Russian Orthodox icon of the Prophet Micah, circa 18th century, from gilded wood iconostasis of Church of the Transfiguration, Kizhi Monastery, Karelia, Russia.

Several prophets predicted the birth of Jesus Christ. Among them were Isaiah and Micah.

Isaiah was best known as the Hebrew prophet who predicted the coming of Jesus Christ to salvage mankind from sin. Isaiah lived about 700 years before the birth of Jesus Christ.

In Isaiah Chapter 7, Isaiah prophesies that a pure young woman will give birth to God’s son.

“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel.”
Isaiah 7.14

The University of Oxford in its Bodleian Library houses an ivory panel set in the binding of the ‘Latin Gospel Lectionary’ (MS. Douce 176, known as ‘The Douce’) which dates back to the 9th century court of Charlemagne. One of the panels is a carving of Isaiah. He holds a scroll that bears prophecy of Christ, some 700 years before his birth.

The Book of Micah is most noted for the famous prophecy of the birth of the Messiah in Bethlehem as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew 2.1-6.

“But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days.”
Micah 5.2

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