Named Before Birth – John the Baptist. “The angel reassured Zechariah, ‘Don’t fear. Your prayer has been heard. Elizabeth, your wife, will bear a son by you. You are to name him John. You’re going to leap like a gazelle for joy, and not only you – many will delight in his birth. He’ll achieve …
Named Before Birth – Jesus. “The birth of Jesus took place like this. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. Before they came to the marriage bed, Joseph discovered she was pregnant. (It was by the Holy Spirit, but he didn’t know that). Joseph, chagrined but noble, determined to take care of things …
Named Before Birth – Josiah. “At the Lord’s command, a man of God from Judah went to Bethel, arriving there just as Jeroboam was approaching the altar to burn incense. Then at the Lord’s command he shouted, “O altar, altar! This is what the Lord says: A child named Josiah will be born into the dynasty …
Named Before Birth – Solomon. “The Lord said to me, ‘David, you will have a son who will be a man of peace. I will give him peace with his enemies in all the surrounding lands. His name will be Solomon, and I will give peace and quiet to Israel during his reign.” (1 Chronicles …
Named Before Birth – Isaac. “God said to Abraham, ‘As for Sarai your wife, you are no longer to call her Sarai; her name will be Sarah, which means princess. I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her so that she will be the mother of …
Named Before Birth – Ishmael. “The Angel of the Lord said to Hagar, ‘You are now with child and you will have a son. You shall name him Ishmael, which means ‘God Hears,’ for the Lord has heard of your misery” (Genesis 16:11). Abraham and Sarah (at that time, Abram and Sarai) were unable to conceive a …