Prophecy

King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem.  He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?”   “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said, “for this is what the prophet wrote: ‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are not least among the ruling cities of Judah, for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.’” [Matthew 2.3-6]

I want to pay particular close attention to the references to previous prophecies like this one.  There are a few.

These prophecies are critical.  They either completely validate the Messiah or not.  It is important to see how events unfolded according to previous predictions.  Likewise, it is important to recognize that the events that took place did so without regard to the prophecies.  There is a difference!

Jesus had to know He was fulfilling prophecies, right?  What about John?  Did they things they did 'just happen' or did they set out to do the things they knew had been prophesied?

Father, please help me to grasp more fully the content of prophecy in the Bible as well as fulfillment of prophecy.