Born is the King of Israel
©December 26, 2010 by Asher Intrater

There are several theories as to the date of Yeshua's birth, but there is no solid proof for any of them. In addition, there are many cultural aspects of the celebration of Christmas which are ungodly. Despite those problematic issues, the birth of Messiah into this earth is a watershed moment of human history and biblical revelation.

The Son of God became flesh in a human body in a lowly stable.  The King of Israel was born to a virgin maiden of the house of David.  It is majestic, humbling and awe-inspiring. The name "Immanuel" (Isaiah 7:14; 8:8, 10) means: "Im" – With; "Anu" – Us; "El" – God. "God with us" – God came to be with us in the form of a little baby.

Here are some impressions from pastor, apostle and spiritual father Don Finto:

"I wonder how many Christians really understand what we are singing in many of the songs about the birth of Jesus. These particular words struck me as we sang "Noel" together in last Sunday's gathering. "Born is the King of Israel!"

King of Israel! Not only was He born to be the Redeemer of all mankind, but He was born to be Israel's King, He is still the King of Israel, and will return to earth to sit on David's throne in Jerusalem  (Zechariah 14:9, Acts 1:6-11).

"Are you the king of the Jews?" Jesus was asked by Pilate just hours before His execution (John 18:33). To which Jesus answered, "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world."

"The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end," were the words spoken to Mary on the night of Jesus/Yeshua's conception (Luke 1:32-33).

This Christ, this Messiah, this Anointed One who came to earth as World Redeemer, is Israel's soon-coming King. A Jewish man sits now at the right hand of the Father, awaiting the time of His return. He will rule over the earth in a thousand-year reign of peace before ushering in a completely restored earth in which God and man live together through all eternity (Ephesians 1:19-20,  Isaiah 65:18-25, Revelation 20-22)."

The Birth of Moses

In this week's Torah portion read in synagogues around the world "Shemot" (Exodus 1-5), the birth of Moses is described. There are several interesting parallels between the birth of Moses and Yeshua.

1. "Maiden" Miriam – The prophecy of a "virgin" giving birth to Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14) uses a special word Alma, not the usual word for virgin Betulah. The word Alma is found in the story of Rebecca (Genesis 24:43), where it is also noted that she is a virgin (Genesis 24:16).  

In the story of the birth of Moses, his sister Miriam is also called Alma (Exodus 2:8). The original name of Mary, the mother of Yeshua, is Miriam. So from Isaiah we learn that the Messiah will be born from the Alma. From Genesis we learn that the Alma will be a virgin. From Exodus we learn that her name will be Miriam. There is an Alma; she is a virgin; her name is Miriam; she gives birth to Immanuel.  

2. Slaughter of the Innocents – At Moses' birth, the satanically inspired Pharaoh tried to kill all the Hebrew male babies in Egypt. At Yeshua's birth, the satanically inspired Herod tried to kill all the Hebrew male babies in Bethlehem. This tragic battle over the birth of the Messianic seed started from the serpent in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:15) and continues to the End Times (Revelation 12:4, 17).
3. The Name "Moses" – In Hebrew (or Egyptian) Moses' name is Moshe. The word "mosheh" means to pull up out of water. The name contains a prophecy about God pulling up the Messiah out of hell at the time of the resurrection. The forces of death are referred to as "many waters" and the word "mosheh" is found in Psalm 18:16. So the birth of Moses contains in it a prophecy of the Messiah being lifted up out of hell.
4. Birth of Savior – Both passages contain the prophetic birth of the "savior-redeemer". Moses saved Israel from Egypt. Yeshua saved mankind from sin and death. Moses himself is an image of Yeshua (Deuteronomy 18:15).
5. Angel of YHVH – In this same section, at the revelation of the burning bush, Moses meets Yeshua in His pre-birth form as the Angel of YHVH, who came down from heaven to save the people of Israel. The image of the Messenger Angel who is at the same time "I am that I am, the God of your forefathers" is an incarnation of God, parallel to Yeshua's birth over a thousand years later.
6. Firstborn – Israel is referred to as God's "firstborn son" as a figure of Yeshua as the Firstborn Son of God (Exodus 4:22-23).
7. Circumcised – Yeshua (in the form of the Angel of YHVH) attempts to kill Moses because he forgot to circumcise his son. Yeshua Himself would be circumcised on the eighth day after His birth (Luke 2:21). The ministries of Moses and of Yeshua were based on God's faithfulness to His covenant with Abraham.