Where Is Jesus Mentioned In The Old Testament

7 Places We Find Jesus in the Old Testament

The Bible, from beginning to end, depicts the magnificence of Jesus Christ. However, for many Bible readers, it is not so straightforward. While we recognize that Jesus is the culmination of the Jewish story and desire a greater understanding of the relationship between the two Testaments, we are frequently perplexed as to how the Bible’s various stories, people, and events connect to one another—particularly in relation to Jesus. It is tempting for some people to try to fit the Bible’s various pieces together, making superficial jumps from the Hebrew Scriptures to the account of Jesus.

If that’s the case, where does Jesus appear in the Old Testament?

Answering these questions and showing how every part of Scripture fits together to reveal the glory of Christ Jesus—from Genesis to Malachi, Matthew to Revelation—Christ from Beginning to End will assist Christians in better understanding how to read the Bible as a story and seeing how every part of Scripture fits together to reveal the glory of Christ Jesus “The pieces of the Bible.do fit together,” write writers Trent Hunter and Stephen Wellum, comparing the Bible to a jigsaw.

They also expect that “you will get a clear comprehension of the Bible’s unity and fundamental message” (28, 29), which includes the various ways in which Jesus may be found throughout the Old Testament.

1) Jesus is the Last Adam

Throughout the entire account of Scripture, the complete grandeur of Christ is revealed—even from the beginning with Adam. Hunter and Wellum remind us that Adam was “not merely the first man in God’s tale,” but also the first man in the world. He is the representative of mankind as well as the creator’s supreme being” (80). God also assigned him tasks and functions that would eventually be represented in Israel:

  • Every chapter of Scripture depicts Christ in all of his splendor, beginning with Adam and continuing through all of time. We should remember that Adam was “not only the first man in God’s story,” as Hunter and Wellum emphasize. He is the representative of humanity as well as the creator’s supreme being (80). He was also given duties and positions that were subsequently reflected in Israel, like as

Even though he did not have any formal titles or positions of authority, Adam performed the functions of a prophet, priest, and monarch. As the Bible’s tale proceeds, these titles are used to designate other persons who carry on the responsibilities that were originally assigned to them—tasks that all pointed to a larger office holder: the Lord Jesus Christ. According to Hunter and Wellum, these positions represent the deeper function that God intended for people from the beginning. That function was created in Adam, but it is only Jesus, the final Adam and God the Son, who properly fulfills it in the fullest sense.

(81)

2) Jesus is testified to by ‘the Law and the Prophets’

As far as the Old Testament is concerned, Paul is unambiguous regarding Christ’s whereabouts: “But now apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been made known, to which both the Law and the Prophets bear witness” (Romans 3:21). “‘The Law and the Prophets’ is a slang term for the Old Testament,” Hunter and Wellum explain, “which Paul claims prophesies or bears witness to the redemption that would be brought about by Christ later in time” (100). As a result, Jesus is prominently featured throughout the whole Torah, as well as the Major and Minor prophetic writings of the Old Testament.

As we witness God’s wonderful plan of redemption in Christ and how he faithfully fulfills all of his promises, we grow to trust, love, and follow him more and more each day.

It prepares us to recognize and accept Jesus as the one and only answer to our dilemma and the one and only Savior from sin.

Through the course of their book, Hunter and Wellum painstakingly demonstrate how God’s promises made in Genesis 3:15 are fulfilled in Messiah Jesus, as well as how the Old Testament’s people, events, and stories all point to Jesus as the promised Messiah.

3) Noah: a Foretaste of judgment and salvation through Christ

If Jesus is the final Adam, Noah was intended to be the first Adam. Two themes emerge from his story: judgment and salvation—both of which serve as foreshadowings of Jesus’ appearance in the Old Testament. We are confronted with the stark reality of what mankind deserves for its sin and rejection of God as we reflect on Noah’s deluge. For better or worse, the flood offers a foretaste of what is to come in terms of judgment, a preview of what mankind will face” (108–109). Throughout their book, Hunter and Wellumexplain how Jesus parallels his return and the coming judgment to Noah’s deluge as described in the Old Testament.

  1. However, the final judgment will be considerably worse: “There is no respite in the last judgment, and in this manner Noah’s flood becomes a reminder to us of a bigger judgment to come, which we should take carefully” (109).
  2. This is addressed in Isaiah 54:9–10.
  3. Hunter and Wellum emphasize that, just as Noah was able to safely pass through the floods of God’s judgment, men and women will be able to pass through the bigger rain of God’s anger as well.
  4. The judgment of God will be avoided by us because Jesus will bear the burden of that judgment.

4) Isaac: Jesus is the “seed” of Abraham and true substitute

In Genesis 12:3, God promised Abraham that “all peoples on earth will be blessed through you,” and then God reaffirmed the promise: “Through your children, all nations on earth will be blessed” (Genesis 22:18). Through the tale of Abraham’s son, Isaac, Hunter and Wellum make a significant point about the fulfillment of this promise: In fact, God’s salvation will be brought to the entire world through Isaac, the promised seed. God, on the other hand, is demonstrating that Isaac is insufficient.

  • God’s promise will be fulfilled via Isaac, yet Isaac will not be able to save the world.
  • The significance of the ram that God supplies is as follows.
  • (117–118) Of course, Christ is ultimately the means through which that substitution is provided.
  • God presented Isaac with a replacement to die in his place, and Isaac was grateful.
  • “There is someone else who can take his position.” However, while the Father and Son are walking to Calvary, there is no voice telling them to stop.

“Here’s another one.” (123–124) As the Bible’s tale unfolds, they continue, “we discover that it is only through the true’seed’ of Abraham, Christ Jesus, that Christians from all countries can be adopted as children of Abraham(Galatians 3:9).” (125).

5) Jesus is greater than the Law-covenant

The gospel of Christ and the covenant he established are far superior! Hunter and Wellum make their declarations. “This is precisely what the Law-covenant was given to us in order to help us understand.” Furthermore, “well constructed constraints” were incorporated into the Law-Covenant from the beginning “that pointed in the direction of something better In other words, according to Hebrews 9:8, “the Holy Spirit was demonstrating through this that the entrance into the Most Holy Place had not yet been revealed so long as the first tabernacle was still in use.” When God deals with Israel via Moses and the Law-covenant, various divine patterns emerge that show previous limits and direct us to Christ in a beautiful way.

Christ from Beginning to End is a comprehensive study of the life of Jesus Christ from the beginning to the end.

  • A Greater Exodus is taking place. It was more than a one-time incident when Israel was driven out of Egypt. It “became the model for all of God’s redemptive actions to come” (143), culminating in the ultimate emancipation and redemption from sins for those who accept it. It has been said that “in Christ, an even greater exodus from slavery has occurred” (144)
  • A Greater Rest. “Come to me, all you who are tired and burdened,” Jesus replied, “and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28). As a result of the Law-Covenant “”God designed foretastes of ultimate rest into the lives of the people of Israel” (144). However, because it was unable to cope with sin, the people were unable to enjoy genuine rest
  • Jesus, on the other hand, provides the rest that the Law-Covenant expected. There is a greater Prophet. “Moses was a wonderful prophet, but Jesus is a far better prophet than Moses” (146). In Deuteronomy 18:15, Moses himself directed his attention to him: “I believe that the Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from among your fellow Israelites, just as he did for me. “You must pay attention to what he has to say.” When Jesus came, the people were still hoping for this prophet, who would bring them a greater Tabernacle. When Israel returned from the Exodus, the Lord directed them to build a tabernacle for him to live among them. This tabernacle would be “a copy and shadow of what is in heaven” (Heb. 8:5). As the tabernacle reflected God’s greater presence in heaven, so the priesthood and sacrifices of the tabernacle indicated God’s greater salvation to come (149). While “tabernacling among us in his life” and while “tabernacling among us as he hung on the cross,” Jesus was this greater redemption and tabernacle, according to the author (149).

6) Jesus is a greater future King David

All of God’s promises, from Noah to Abraham to Moses, come together in the person of King David. Nonetheless, like with all other chapters of the Old Testament, the Davidic tales look forward to a greater future monarch, who is yet to be revealed. When it comes to Jesus, Psalm 72 shows how he is found in this section of the Old Testament, which “allows us to look ahead to an even greater David, who will reign as king in the future” (163–164). According to Hunter and Wellum, there are four dimensions to this coming king, Jesus Christ, who is revealed in Psalm 72: He is:

  1. Psalm 72:1–4: Royalty in the Land of Righteousness “This is the monarch our planet has been waiting for. Because of sin, even our finest leaders may be harmful if we give them too much authority. Our world begs for justice. God’s righteous monarch will reign over a really virtuous realm.” (164)
  2. Psalm 72:5–7, “As Long as the Sun Rises” (as long as the sun rises). “Despite the disobedience of David’s sons, God’s promise of an eternal monarch via David is still on track to be fulfilled.” “The Lord will take care of it.” The Psalm 72:8–11 passage A King for Everyone and Everywhere is a good example of this. A image of complete and utter rule over the entire earth. The authority of this monarch will bring about the global law that God originally intended for humanity.” (167). Moreover, “Scripture instructs us to look forward to the arrival of the Davidic son/king who will fully establish God’s authority across the entire globe,” in light of these Davidic promises. (167)
  3. Psalm 72:12–19, “A Heart of Compassion” (A Heart of Compassion). “The rule of David’s future son would not follow the patterns of the world’s rulers,” says the prophet. He would never take anything away from his people. “If only he would give!” He will suffer on his route to exaltation, as King David did, but it will not be without a price. ‘He will bring about enormous reversals for others with the impetus of his own big reversal.’ (168)

7) A vivid portrait of our suffering servant

“Salvation comes from the Lord,” as the prophet Jonah tells us (Jonah 2:9). The tale of salvation continues to develop as the Lord takes the initiative to save people all the way through God’s narrative. It is the prophets that continue to spread this word and carry it forward” (180). What method do they use to show that salvation will be achieved? ‘The Lord’s salvation is made possible through a sinless sufferer,’ according to Hunter and Wellum (183), a concept that is tied to the traditional concept of substitute — “one who was cast in terms of the previous patterns, but who has now, in himself, completely and permanently solved the problem of sin” (183).

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The prophet Isaiah talks specifically of this future servant, describing him as “one who is from Israel, but who is also apart from Israel.” He is Israel’s king, and he is Israel’s son, and as such, he is the servant who symbolizes Israel” (185).

How this will be accomplished is revealed by the prophet Isaiah: “The Lord will execute a substitutionary sacrifice for sin.” He intends to do this via the pain of his devoted servant.

Hunter and Wellum argue that the Messiah-Servant, Jesus Christ, will accomplish two things by his substitutionary death: “First, he will take what is ours—our sins; and second, he will take what is his—his righteousness.” Then there’s the fact that he’ll give us what is rightfully ours: his righteousness.

A striking portrayal of Messiah Jesus, our Suffering Servant, is painted by the prophet Isaiah.

Despite the fact that this essay just touches the surface of the book, which is 270 pages long and investigates where Jesus appears in both the Old and New Testaments, This book will assist you in identifying the overarching plot that runs across the whole Bible.

Learn more about the complete story of Scripture and how it displays the full majesty of Christ by reading it for yourself.

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Where Is Jesus in the Old Testament? How to Find Him on Every Last Page

Ten years ago, I was in charge of a feedback group for aspiring ministers of the gospel. We were given the opportunity to review an exegesis of Judges 14 by a youth pastor. Towards the end of his speech, Jesus talked of “another Savior who came to deliver his people for all time.” He didn’t make a big deal out of the argument, and he didn’t even mention the word “Jesus,” but he did include the line. During the feedback session, I inquired as to why he had included that particular statement at the conclusion.

  1. The entire room clapped its hands in appreciation.
  2. None of these preachers in training could explain why they were being instructed to “change gears to Jesus,” but it appears that there was a regulation in place.
  3. We have a strong sense that we should consider the Old Testament to be Christian Scripture, but we’re not sure why or how.
  4. Is this true, though?

Christ Patterned

The flood and the ark, the Passover and the Red Sea, the wilderness and the Promised Land, exile and return, war and peace, kingdom and kings, prophets and priests, the temple, its sacrifices, and its rituals, wisdom in death and in life, songs of lament and rejoicing, the lives of faithful sufferers, and the blood of righteous martyrs — the Old Testament is extraordinarily shaped by Jesus’ life and death.

The Old Testament is filled with The tale as a whole, as well as each of its individual components, is similar to a fractal.

Although Paul teaches us about the gospel patterns of the Old Testament, he takes care (in lines 4 and 9) to stress us that Christ was not only modeled, but he was also promised and present to the Old Testament believers at the time of Christ’s birth.

Christ Promised

Old Testament saints were more than just pieces of a mosaic, bearing witness to a gospel pattern that they were unaware of. They were active participants in it. In the same way, they looked forward to the completion of these designs. How? Through the promises, of course. In the words of Jesus, Paul, and Peter (Luke 24:25–27; Acts 26:22–23; 1 Peter 1:10–12), this is how they saw it. Each of them describes the Old Testament shape as proclaiming “Christ’s sufferings and glory,” while at the same time asserting that this message is what Moses and the prophets themselves “wrote,” “said,” “prophesied,” and “predicted” in the first place.

True faith was always Messianic faith, based on Christ himself, and this was the case throughout history. He was the one who stood firm and in whom the loyal could put their faith.

Christ Present

The fact that Christ actually present, rather than merely being modelled and promised, is arguably the most overlooked aspect of the story. It’s astonishing how specific the New Testament authors are about Jesus’ presence in the Old Testament: “Jesus was present in the Old Testament,” they write.

  • In Jesus, Abraham found joy (John 8:56–58)
  • In Christ, Moses found motivation (Hebrews 11:26)
  • In Christ, they found redemption (Jude 5)
  • In Christ, they found the Rock in the wilderness (I Corinthians 10:4)
  • In Christ, they found the King of Isaiah’s temple vision (John 12:40–41)
  • And in Christ, they found the Rock in the wilderness (I Corinthians 10:4).

Jesus is not only foreshadowed and promised in the Old Testament, but he is also present in it. As a result, neither God nor faith have altered in their basic essence from the first covenant to the new covenant, and this is critical. God has always operated in accordance with the Trinitarian model: from the Father, via the Son, and through the Spirit. At Christmas, He did not begin to be triune — that is, the Father did not begin to require a mediator — as a result of the birth of Jesus (John 1:1–14).

True faith does not just abandon itself to a divine design or place hope in distant promises; true faith embraces a promising Person as its center.

The person of the Son is at the heart of saving faith, and he is the source of all faith.

As It Was in the Beginning?

All of the texts that have been quoted thus far have come from the New Testament. It is possible to make a compelling argument based just on these that the Hebrew Bible proclaims Christ. However, it may be claimed that this Christian perspective can only be discovered by going backward from the New Testament. Could reading the Bible backwards, starting with Genesis and seeing the same Christ-centeredness be a possibility as well? Yes, I believe that is the case. Every page of the Hebrew Bible, I believe, has some aspect of Christ, whether it be a pattern, a promise, or an actual presence.

Following are only three of these occurrences, with the goal that they may encourage you to look at the entire Bible through these perspectives.

Jesus Walks in Eden (Genesis 3)

Adam and Eve hide amid the trees, embarrassed by their transgression. They’ll be concealing themselves in fig leaves before you know it. By concealing their immorality and displaying a false sense of virtue, they strive to control their condition. Their Lord, on the other hand, has a different remedy in mind. He doesn’t cover them with foliage, but rather with animal skins. Even if we aren’t informed which innocent creature died in order to clothe the guilty, the substitutionary pattern is picked up by Isaiah and Paul: we are robed by an alien righteousness — you could say that we are dressed in Christ — in order to be clothed in righteousness (Isaiah 61:10; Galatians 3:27).

Christ Promised

When the judgements come tumbling down in the garden, it’s incredible to see anything but the pair is cursed, but it’s not surprising. God, on the other hand, promises “the offspring of the woman.” A miracle birth is implied by this – women do not have seeds (Genesis 3:15, my translation). Despite the fact that he would incur a huge personal sacrifice — his heel would be hit — this kid of the woman would crush the head of the house of the wicked. We get a promise of the miraculous birth and triumphant suffering of “the seed” in this passage of scripture.

In Christ Jesus, both the faith of the fathers throughout the time of the Old Testament and our religion today are one and the same faith.

True believers, whether they live in the past, are currently living, or will live in the future, have always had and will always have the same mentality, the same impression, and the same faith towards Christ. (Commentary on the book of Galatians)

Christ Present

Now we get to the aspect of Christ’s presence that is sometimes neglected. The Lord who walks with his most loved animals in the calm of the day (Genesis 3:8), and who is he, you might wonder. Jonathan Edwards expresses the most widely held belief of the church founders, reformers, and Puritans in the following words: When we read in holy history of God’s actions and revelations towards his Church and people at various times throughout history, we are to realize that these actions and revelations are specifically related to the second person of the Trinity.

(History of the Work of Redemption, chapter 20.) This does not provide a comprehensive solution to all of the questions we may have concerning Old Testament sightings.

Edwards, however, believes that the Father is always represented by the Son, citing Colossians 1:15 and John 1:18 as evidence.

Jesus Speaks on Moriah (Genesis 22)

Here is the ultimate test of faith, but it has put Abraham’s faith to the test as well as anybody else’s. Many people have struggled to understand God’s instructions to Abraham in this chapter: “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and travel to the country of Moriah, and give him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you” (Genesis 22:18). (Genesis 22:2). Until you consider the pattern, it’s a complete and total disgrace. What is the identity of this son?

  1. This cherished son is the focal point of all of God’s promises.
  2. — bring him back to life in order to rescue and bless the entire world, and this would be impossible.
  3. He carries the wood on his back as he makes his way up the hill to the site of the atoning offering (Genesis 22:6).
  4. When you grasp the pattern — the death and resurrection of the son — Genesis 22 ceases to be a hindrance but rather an enormous boost to one’s religious confidence.

Christ Promised

Check out this quote from Abraham, who named the mountain “The Lord will provide,” which is still used today to describe the mountain: “Abraham named the name of that place ‘The Lord will provide,’ and it is still used today to describe it as “The Lord will provide,'” which is interpreted to mean “The Lord will provide.” (Genesis 22:14; 23:15). For hundreds of years, Israelites pointed to that hill, trusting in a future provision — a future atonement — that would be made possible.

They were even aware of the location where it would take place. For decades, the Old Testament saints regarded Christ as promised in this event, and they placed their hopes in accordance with that expectation.

Christ Present

In Genesis 22:11, it is the angel of the Lord who intervenes to prevent the judgment from being carried out. In stanza 15, he expresses himself once more, and he does it with a stunning sense of self-awareness. What kind of angel does this guy believe he is? Despite the fact that he has been sent by the Lord, he speaks as the Lord: “By myself I have vowed, says the Lord. I will definitely bless. I will certainly increase.” (Genesis 22:16–17; 23:16–17). When we come across ordinary angels in the Scriptures, they are quick to point out that they are completely different from God (as in Revelation 22:9).

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In the terminology of the creeds, he is referred to as “God from God.” Calvin recounts the history of Christian interpretation that has gone before him on the topic of the angel’s identity: The orthodox doctors of the Church have rightly and intelligently explained that the Word of God was the supreme angel, who then started to fulfill the role of Mediator as if by anticipation, as the Word of God was the supreme angel.

Institutes, I.xiii.10; (Institutes, I.xiii.10) In Genesis 22, this “God from God” intervened to prevent Isaac from being struck by the sword of judgment.

Jesus Burns at the Bush (Exodus 3)

There are several biblical allusions to the burning bush. Plants are frequently compared to God’s chosen ones (or to the king who represents them; Judges 9; Isaiah 5; John 15). The Egyptian people’s hardships are usually referred to as “a furnace” by the media (Deuteronomy 4:20; 1 Kings 8:51; Jeremiah 11:4). During this time of sorrow, we witness God’s people on fire. Yet, in this Christlike pattern, their King and Savior, the great “I Am,” descends into the flames to be with his people and to guide them out of the conflagration.

Christ Promised

The exodus itself is a manifestation of the fulfillment of prophecies. Genesis 12 reveals that the “seed of Abraham” will be a blessing and a ruler over all of the nations. There is some uncertainty in the promise – is the “seed” plural (Israel) or singular (Christ) in nature? To put it bluntly, the answer is yes. The “seed” is first and foremost the country of Israel, and at the end of time, it is Christ — the Messiah — who stands alone as the nation’s representative (Galatians 3:16). As the promise progresses, we get to Genesis 15, where the Lord predicts a pattern of suffering and resurrection for the “seed of Abraham”: the seed will be oppressed and tormented, but through judgment, the seed will be exalted to greater glory (Genesis 15:13–15).

While it is true that Israel will be the first to experience death and resurrection, we are witnessing a glimpse of the upcoming gospel drama as we watch the exodus. In other words, the all of Christ’s exodusisa promise is included.

Christ Present

The divine term “I Am” is crucial to our knowledge of God and is used in many religious traditions. Throughout the Hebrew Bible, the phrase “I Am” is preserved in the name “Yahweh,” which is used 6,800 times. The God of Israel is ultimately “he who dwells in the bush,” according to the Bible (Deuteronomy 33:16). And who exactly is he? He is the angel of the Lord, who is also the Lord in his own right (Exodus 3:2, 6, 14). For the sake of this explanation, he is “the Angel of the covenant, the mighty Angel of God’s presence, in whom was the name and character of God.

delivered a people from the land of Egypt” (Jude 5).

Jesus Is Lord of All

What was the problem with the inexperienced preachers grumbling about “we’re meant to” bridge to Christ, you may wonder. What I believe happened was that they failed to see the significance of Christ, and they also failed to recognize that the Old Testament is already Christian Scripture in its own context and on its own terms. It has already been declared to be a proclamation of the Lord Messiah. Certainly, there are patterns to be seen throughout the Old Testament, and this is a fact. The iconography associated with the gospels was built up over ages, layer upon layer.

  1. The genuine and better Joseph, David, Jonah (and so on) are all those who have come to know him.
  2. However, this is not the whole truth.
  3. Jesus is the seed – the seed of the woman, the seed of Abraham, the seed of David — and he is the source of all life on earth.
  4. All of this is correct.
  5. In addition to these viewpoints, we should consider the Son of God as he is depicted in the Hebrew Bible as well.
  6. What exists at the intersection of the Old and the New is more than a plan or a promise; it is a Person.
  7. While he is not present in the Old Testament, he is present on the bench, waiting for his fourth quarter winning play to come up.
  8. His role as the one and only Mediator of God Most High is emphasized throughout the Old Testament, and he is shown as walking inexorably toward his own manifestation.
  9. He’s been like this since the beginning.

Is Jesus in the Old Testament?

QuestionAnswer Jesus appears frequently in the Old Testament, but not always under that name or in the same physical shape as we see Him in the New Testament. Nonetheless, He is present. Christ is the central idea of the whole Bible. The fact that Jesus is mentioned in the Old Testament was confirmed by Him Himself. John 5:46 records Jesus’ explanation to several religious authorities who had disputed Him that the Old Testament was speaking about Him: “If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me.” (John 5:46) According to Jesus, God’s dealings with mankind since the beginning of time have all pointed to Him.

  • “Beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he recounted to them what was stated in all the Scriptures concerning himself,” Jesus remarked as He walked with two of His followers (Luke 24:27).
  • According to some estimates, more than 300 Old Testament prophesies lead directly to Jesus Christ and were fulfilled by Him during His earthly ministry.
  • (Psalm 22).
  • He concluded with the statement, “This scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing today” (Luke 4:18–21), a statement that astonished the religious establishment.
  • In the Old Testament, the word “angel of the Lord” is used interchangeably with the title “Lord” when referring to these visits from the Lord.
  • Such direct experiences with God may be found in a number of places throughout the Old Testament (Genesis 16:7–14; 22:11–18; Judges 5:23; 2 Kings 19:35; Daniel 3:25, for example).
  • These may be observed in what we refer to as “types.” When someone or anything in the Old Testament foreshadows a person or thing in the New Testament, we call that person or thing a type.

Moses’ birth was significant in the same way that Jesus’ was, and like Jesus, he faced with the wicked powers of the day before leading his people to freedom by a miraculous rescue.

Many historical events in the Old Testament serve as foreshadowings of what God will do in the future, via Jesus Christ.

In answer to Isaac’s query regarding a lamb, Abraham spoke these prophetic words: “God himself will supply the lamb for the burned sacrifice, my son,” Abraham said (Genesis 22:8).

In this way, the events surrounding Isaac’s sacrifice serve as a metaphor of the events surrounding Christ’s sacrifice.

The people who were following Moses had sinned in the desert, and God punished them by sending serpents among them to bite them.

Moses was instructed by God to carve a bronze snake and mount it on a pole.

In John 3:14–15, Jesus made a passing reference to this incident: “Just as Moses held up the serpent in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, in order that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life in Him,” says the Bible.

We need Jesus’ sacrifice in order to make atonement for our sins, which is represented by the altar in the courtyard.

While in the Holy Place, the lampstand serves as a visual representation of Jesus as “the light of the world” (John 9:5).

Jesus is shown on the altar of incense as our heavenly intercessor, who is always interceding for us and offering petitions (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25).

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, appears not just in the New Testament, but also in the Old Testament.

The theme of Jesus Christ runs throughout both the Old and New Testaments, beginning with his virgin birth in Bethlehem (Isaiah 7:14; Luke 1:35; Micah 5:2), continuing through his exile in Egypt (Hosea 11:1; Matthew 2:14–15), to His ministry of healing and hope (Genesis 3:15; 1 John 3:8), and concluding with His resurrection (Psalm 16:9–11; Acts 2:31).

He is the Word that has come to life. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, God’s gift of reconciliation, the hope of forgiveness, and eternal life are pointed out to us throughout the whole Bible. Questions regarding Jesus Christ (return to top of page) Is Jesus mentioned anywhere in the Old Testament?

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Jesus in the Old Testament

Neither our Lord Jesus nor anyone else can teach us more about whether or not Jesus is to be found in the pages of the Old Testament than the teachings of our Lord and Savior himself. His words in John 5:39, “Youdiligently read the Scriptures. These are the Scriptures that bear witness to me,” were a reference to him. That should put an end to the discussion. More notably, as Cleopas and another unidentified disciple went down the road to Emmaus on that first Easter Sunday, Jesus reprimanded them, saying, “How ignorant you are, and how slow of heart to believe anything the prophets have spoken!

  1. Didn’t Christ have to go through all of this before he could come into his glory?
  2. As early as 1000 B.C., King David foresaw what was to come and declared that Jesus would not be “abandoned.
  3. As a result, it should come as no surprise that we should also see Jesus present in the historical events and prophecies contained throughout the Old Testament.
  4. Because Jesus was, is, and will be the One to come, it is conceivable to find yourself in such a unique situation.
  5. To rectify this, let us first look at the areas where he appeared in a Christophany throughout the time of the Old Testament.

Old Testament Appearances of Christ

In the Old Testament, Jesus is originally identified as the person who appeared as “the Angel of the Lord” during a startling confrontation with Sarah’s maidservant, Hagar, in the book of Genesis (Gen 16:7). Following then, he continued to make appearances on a sporadic basis throughout the earlier portions of the Old Testament. These genuine events, which were prompted by God, were distinguished by the fact that they were persuasive disclosures of his person and work, as well as the fact that they were transient, fleeting, yet audible and plainly visible manifestations of his presence and action.

This “Angel of the LORD” was a term that represented his position, yet it did not accurately define his personality.

According to Hagar, this special angel of the Lord is divine because she “.named the LORD, who spoke with her, ‘You are the God who sees me,’ as she observed, ‘I have now seen the One who sees me.'” Hagar “.named the LORD, who spoke with her, ‘You are the God who sees me,” according to the Bible (Gen 16:13).

In Exodus 3:2, it was the Angel of Yahweh who came to Moses in the midst of a blazing fire for the second time.

Several chapters later, in Judges 13:22-25, it was the same Angel of the Lord who appeared to the wife of Manoah, mother of Samson, and whom she described to her husband as having appeared to her as a “man of God.” Upon Manoah’s request that the “Angel of the LORD” come to him as he had appeared to his wife, the Angel repeated the appearances and discussions with him, following which he ascened in the flame of the altar (Judg 13:20), signifying that the sacrifice was made in honor of God himself!

See also:  Who Buried Jesus Christ

Furthermore, this “Angel” is seen as a “Redeemer,” one who protects Israel from the evil that threatens it (Isa 63:9).

Jesus returned to earth on several occasions to assist his followers in their moments of hardship and need for guidance.

The only instances in which the Angel of Yahweh turns against Israel are found in 2 Samuel 24 and 1 Chronicles 21, when the Angel serves as the agent of God’s wrath against David for disobeying God by conducting a national census against the people of Israel.

Old Testament Predictions of the Coming Messiah

Additionally, J. Barton Payne identified 574 Old Testament scriptures that had direct personal messianic prophecies, in addition to the actual appearance of Jesus in the form of the Angel of the Lord/God, according to his research. As a result of his research, Payne discovered 127 personal messianic prophesies including 348 passages that contained any or all forms of actual and typological prophecies about Jesus’ first or second coming. Only Alfred Edersheim’s observation that there were 456 unique Old Testament/Tanak texts used to refer to the Messiah or to messianic periods in 558 rabbinic works from pre-Christian times outstripped this figure.

  • Almost no one will argue that the Pentateuch contains at least six direct Messianic prophecies, which are found in the following verses: Genesis 3:15; Genesis 9:27; Exodus 12:2-3; Genesis 49:8-12; Numbers 24:15-19; and Deuteronomy 18:15-18.
  • Afterwards, according to Genesis 9:27, God would come and live/dwell in the tents of Shem, who would be the Semitic tribes.
  • According to Genesis 12:3, Abraham’s query was answered when God invited him to travel from Ur of Mesopotamia to Israel, and God declared that he would be a blessing to all nations on the planet.
  • Father Jacob’s fourth son would be the one God would anoint with the scepter of rule, and he would be the one from whom God would down the line of the Messiah (Gen 49:8-12).
  • Furthermore, the Messiah who would come would be both a “prophet” (Deut 18:15) and a “king,” according to the Scriptures (Ps 72).
  • 2100 – 1800), as we believe he should be placed.
  • Additional Messianic predictions can be added to these ten direct Messianic prophecies from periods both previous to and during the Davidic period.
  • In 2 Samuel 7:19c, King David exclaimed, “This is the law/charter for humanity,” referring to the promise made to him by the Lord.

5 Even though he would be rejected (Ps 118), betrayed (Ps 69, 109), die and be resurrected (Pss 22, 16), and die and be resurrected (Pss 22, 16), he would come as Conqueror and Enthroned Ruler (Pss 2, 110), as Planner and Groomsman (Pss 40, 45), and as Triumphant King (Pss 40, 45), he would arrive (Pss 68, 72).

  • These details would be included in a sample of these announcements made prior to the events taking place.
  • Mt 1:33).
  • Mt 3:3, Mk 1:3; Lk 3:4-6).
  • Mt 21:9; Mk 11:9; Lk 19:38; Jh 12:13).
  • Acts 1:20).
  • (Isa 53:6, 9, 12; cf.
  • Even more spectacularly true was the fact that Jesus would be crucified with the “wicked” (Isa 53:9a, note the plural word in Hebrew), yet he would be buried beside the “wealthy” (Isa 53:10).
  • But that was not the end of the story for the Old Testament prophecies about Jesus, for the Messiah would return to earth a second time (Daniel 7:13; cf.
  • The case for Messiah in the Old Testament is one of strong continuity and progressive revelation, and there is a strong continuity and progressive revelation between the Old and New Testaments on this point.

What a kind, revealing God, and what a beautiful blessing it is to have a Savior who has come to earth just once, but who will return again in all his completeness and majesty! Original artwork created by Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in 2009. All intellectual property rights are retained.

47 Prophecies of the Messiah Fulfilled in Jesus Christ

The books of the Old Testament include several verses regarding the Messiah, all of which were fulfilled by the birth of Jesus Christ. Psalm 22:16-18, for example, foretells the crucifixion of Jesus, which occurred around 1,000 years before Christ was born, long before this manner of punishment was even attempted. “Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified,” preachers in the New Testament church began to proclaim after Christ’s resurrection that Jesus was the Messiah by divine appointment: “Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” (Acts 2:36, English Standard Version) God chose Paul to be an apostle, and he was set apart to preach the gospel of God, which he had promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead.

(Romans 1:1-4, English Standard Version)

A Statistical Improbability

According to certain Bible experts, Jesus Christ fulfilled more than 300 Old Testament prophetic Scriptures during his earthly ministry on the cross. Christ could not have been responsible for circumstances like as his birthplace, lineage, and mode of death, which were beyond his power and could not have been fulfilled by chance or design. Several authors, including Peter Stoner and Robert Newman, explore the statistical improbability of one individual, whether mistakenly or purposefully, completing just eight of the prophesies that Jesus fulfilled in their bookScience Speaks.

  • As an illustration of the significance of such odds, Stoner provides the following scenario: Consider the following scenario: we take ten 17silver dollars and place them on the surface of Texas.
  • Now, make a mark on one of these silver dollars and completely swirl the entire mass across the entire state.
  • What chance did he have of getting the proper one, you may wonder.
  • The mathematical improbability of 300, 47, or even just eight fulfilled prophecies of Jesus serving as proof of his messiahship is compelling evidence of his deity.

Prophecies of Jesus

Despite the fact that this is not an entire list, you will discover 47 Messianic prophecies that were clearly fulfilled in Jesus Christ, as well as corroborating references from the Old Testament and fulfillment in the New Testament.

47 Old Testament Verses About Jesus as Messiah
Prophecies of Jesus Old Testament Scripture New Testament Fulfillment
1 Messiah would be born of a woman. Genesis 3:15 Matthew 1:20 Galatians 4:4
2 Messiah would be born inBethlehem. Micah 5:2 Matthew 2:1 Luke 2:4-6
3 Messiah would beborn of a virgin. Isaiah 7:14 Matthew 1:22-23 Luke 1:26-31
4 Messiah would come from the line ofAbraham. Genesis 12:3 Genesis 22:18 Matthew 1:1 Romans 9:5
5 Messiah would be a descendant ofIsaac. Genesis 17:19 Genesis 21:12 Luke 3:34
6 Messiah would be a descendant of Jacob. Numbers 24:17 Matthew 1:2
7 Messiah would come from the tribe of Judah. Genesis 49:10 Luke 3:33 Hebrews 7:14
8 Messiah would be heir toKing David’s throne. 2 Samuel 7:12-13 Isaiah 9:7 Luke 1:32-33 Romans 1:3
9 Messiah’s throne will be anointed and eternal. Psalm 45:6-7 Daniel 2:44 Luke 1:33 Hebrews 1:8-12
10 Messiah would be calledImmanuel. Isaiah 7:14 Matthew 1:23
11 Messiah would spend a season in Egypt. Hosea 11:1 Matthew 2:14-15
12 A massacre of children would happen at Messiah’s birthplace. Jeremiah 31:15 Matthew 2:16-18
13 A messenger would prepare the way for Messiah. Isaiah 40:3-5 Luke 3:3-6
14 Messiah would be preceded by a forerunner. Malachi 3:1 Matthew 11:10
15 Messiah would be rejected by his own people. Psalm 69:8 Isaiah 53:3 John 1:11 John 7:5
16 Messiah would be a prophet. Deuteronomy 18:15 Acts 3:20-22
17 Messiah would be preceded byElijah. Malachi 4:5-6 Matthew 11:13-14
18 Messiah would be declared theSon of God. Psalm 2:7 Matthew 3:16-17
19 Messiah would be called a Nazarene. Isaiah 11:1 Matthew 2:23
20 Messiah would bring light toGalilee. Isaiah 9:1-2 Matthew 4:13-16
21 Messiah would speak inparables. Psalm 78:2-4 Isaiah 6:9-10 Matthew 13:10-15, 34-35
22 Messiah would be sent to heal the brokenhearted. Isaiah 61:1-2 Luke 4:18-19
23 Messiah would be a priest after the order of Melchizedek. Psalm 110:4 Hebrews 5:5-6
24 Messiah would be called King. Psalm 2:6 Zechariah 9:9 Matthew 27:37 Mark 11:7-11
25 Messiah would enter Jerusalem on a donkey. Zechariah 11:12 Matthew 21:4-5
26 Messiah would be praised by little children. Psalm 8:2 Matthew 21:16
27 Messiah would be betrayed. Psalm 41:9 Zechariah 11:12-13 Luke 22:47-48 Matthew 26:14-16
28 Messiah’s price money would be used to buy a potter’s field. Zechariah 11:12-13 Matthew 27:9-10
29 Messiah would be falsely accused. Psalm 35:11 Mark 14:57-58
30 Messiah would be silent before his accusers. Isaiah 53:7 Mark 15:4-5
31 Messiah would be spat upon and struck. Isaiah 50:6 Matthew 26:67
32 Messiah would be hated without cause. Psalm 35:19 Psalm 69:4 John 15:24-25
33 Messiah would becrucifiedwith criminals. Isaiah 53:12 Matthew 27:38 Mark 15:27-28
34 Messiah would be given vinegar to drink. Psalm 69:21 Matthew 27:34 John 19:28-30
35 Messiah’s hands and feet would be pierced. Psalm 22:16 Zechariah 12:10 John 20:25-27
36 Messiah would be mocked and ridiculed. Psalm 22:7-8 Luke 23:35
37 Soldiers would gamble for Messiah’s garments. Psalm 22:18 Luke 23:34 Matthew 27:35-36
38 Messiah’s bones would not be broken. Exodus 12:46 Psalm 34:20 John 19:33-36
39 Messiah would be forsaken by God. Psalm 22:1 Matthew 27:46
40 Messiah would pray for his enemies. Psalm 109:4 Luke 23:34
41 Soldiers would pierce Messiah’s side. Zechariah 12:10 John 19:34
42 Messiah would be buried with the rich. Isaiah 53:9 Matthew 27:57-60
43 Messiah wouldresurrect from the dead. Psalm 16:10 Psalm 49:15 Matthew 28:2-7 Acts 2:22-32
44 Messiah wouldascend to heaven. Psalm 24:7-10 Mark 16:19 Luke 24:51
45 Messiah would be seated at God’s right hand. Psalm 68:18 Psalm 110:1 Mark 16:19 Matthew 22:44
46 Messiah would be a sacrifice for sin. Isaiah 53:5-12 Romans 5:6-8
47 Messiah would return a second time. Daniel7:13-14 Revelation 19

These and several other Old Testament scriptures regarding Israel’s Messiah were fulfilled in the life of Jesus Christ, who lived in the New Testament. They are the most compelling evidence of Christ’s divinity when taken as a whole. As Jesus went about his mission, he was conscious of the fact that he was fulfilling these predictions, and he utilized this awareness to further establish his claim to be the Son of God in the flesh: “I am the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Then Jesus addressed them, saying, “You naive individuals!

Not only was it plainly foretold that the Messiah would have to endure all of these things before attaining his glory, but it was also clearly demonstrated.” Then Jesus led them on a journey through the books of Moses and all of the prophets, teaching the things concerning himself through the lens of all of the Scriptures.

However, the Scriptures point directly to me!” (John 5:39, New Living Translation)

Sources

  • 100 Prophecies Fulfilled by Jesus: Messianic Prophecies Made Before the Birth of Christby Rose Publishing
  • Book of Bible Listsby Rose Publishing
  • 100 Prophecies Fulfilled by Jesus: Messianic Prophecies Made Before the Birth of Christby Rose Publishing
  • 100 Prophecies Fulfilled by Jesus: Messianic Prophecies Made Before D. Story
  • H.L. Willmington
  • H.L. Willmington (1997). Defending Your Faith (pp. 79-80), the NKJV Study Bible, and the Life Application Study Bible are all recommended.

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