Christ in the Old Testament By David J. Stewart
How much do you really know about the Old Testament Messiah? Before Jesus Christ came in the flesh, what "known" facts were there concerning the Old Testament Messiah? According to the Gospels there were 7 "known" facts concerning the O.T. Messiah and His coming: FACT #1 - The O.T. Messiah (or Christ) would be VIRGIN BORN in BETHLEHEM of the human SEED OF DAVID! 1. VIRGIN BORN Matthew 1:20-23 and Isaiah 7:14 2. BETHLEHEM Matthew 2:1-6 and Micah 5:2 3. SEED OF DAVID Luke 3:15 - People in the O.T. knew that the Messiah would come in human form (Hebrews 2:6-8 and Psalm 8:4-6 and Romans 1:2,3 and 2nd Timothy 2:8; Hebrews 1:5 and 2nd Samuel 7:13,14 and 1st Chronicles 17:12,13; Matthew 21:9,15; Psalm 118:25,26; Psalm 132:11; Ezekiel 37:24-26). Matthew Chapter one traces Jesus from the seed of David; thus, establishing Christ's kingly heritage. Though Jesus had NO earthly father, Mary was of the kingly line of David. FACT #2 - The O.T. Messiah (or Christ) would have a FORERUNNER! 1. FORERUNNER John 1:21-23; Isaiah 40:3. There was some confusion in the days of John the Baptist, concerning whether he was Elijah or not. Malachi 4:5,6 prophesies that Elijah will return before the Lord's Second Coming (i.e., during the Tribulation Period). Jesus quoted Malachi 3:1 concerning John the Baptist, saying that Elijah had come. This confused some of the people, because John clearly stated that he was NOT Elijah in John 1:21. Yet, Jesus plainly stated in Matthew 11:14 that John the Baptist was Elijah. Why the discrepancy? Luke 1:17 gives us the answer... "And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." John the Baptist preached in the spirit and power of Elijah, preparing the hearts of the people to receive their Messiah. FACT #3 - The O.T. Messiah (or Christ) would be JEHOVAH/ELOHEEM/EL in the flesh! 1. JEHOVAH Matthew 3:3 and Isaiah 40:3; Revelation 19:11,16 and 20:4-6; Jeremiah 23:5,6 and Psalm 22:27-31 and Psalm 47:1-9 and Psalm 96:10 and Zechariah 14:9; Matthew 21:16 and Psalm 8:1,2; 1st Corinthians 10:9 and Numbers 21:5,6; Ephesians 5:14 and Isaiah 60:1; Ephesians 4:8 and Psalm 68:17-19.
2. ELOHEEM Romans 14:9-12 and Isaiah 45:22-23; Hebrews 1:8,9 and Psalm 45:6,7; Revelation 19:1116 and Psalm 82:8; Revelation 11:15-18 and Exodus 15:18; 1st Corinthians 8:6 and Ephesians 3:9 and Colossians 1:16,17 and Hebrews 1:2,3 and Hebrews 2:10 and Genesis 1:1,26 and Isaiah 44:24. 3. EL Matthew 1:23 and Isaiah 7:14; Hebrews 1:10-12 and Psalm 102:24-27; Revelation 1:8 and Isaiah 9:6. The O.T. Messiah came to this earth as God in the flesh! FACT #4 - The O.T. Messiah (or Christ) would be the SON OF GOD! 1. SON OF GOD John 1:48,49 (Nathaniel) - Isaiah 9:6,7 Matthew 14:28-33 (Disciples) - Worship (Exodus 20:3) Matthew 16:13-16 (Peter) - Proverb 30:4 Matthew 26:63-65 (High Priest) - Psalm 110:1 Luke 1:30-35 (Angel) - Isaiah 7:14 Luke 4:40,41 (Demons) John 6:67-69 (Peter) John 11:23-28 (Martha) John 20:30,31 (John) Acts 8:26-37 (Ethiopian Eunuch) Acts 9:17-20 (Paul) Acts 13:30-33 (Paul) - Psalm 2:7 Hebrews 1:5 (Paul) - 2nd Samuel 7:14 and 1st Chronicles 17:13 Hebrews 11:17-19 (Paul) - Genesis 22:1,2 Jesus is the Son of God - John 10:30-36 FACT #5 - The O.T. Messiah (or Christ) would be the SAVIOR (Light or Redeemer)! 1. GOD OUR SAVIOR 1st Timothy 4:10 (Paul) - Isaiah 43:3,11; 45:15,21,22; 49:26; 60:16; 63:8 Titus 1:3,4; 2:10-13; 3:4,6 (Paul) - 2nd Samuel 22:3 and Hosea 13:4 2. CHRIST OUR SAVIOR Matthew 1:21-25 (Angel) - Job 19:25 (See Isaiah 41:14; 43:14; 44:6; Jeremiah 50:34) Luke 1:31 (Angel) Luke 2:11 (Angel) John 1:29 (John the Baptist) - Genesis 22:8 John 4:42 (Samaritans) - Isaiah 53:4-10 Acts 4:11,12 (Peter) Acts 13:37-41 (Paul) and Habakkuk 1:5 (It was prophesied in Habakkuk 1:5 that God would work a work which Israel would not believe. It was a 2-fold prophecy. The second part being that Israel would reject the REDEMPTIVE work of Christ according to ACTS 13:37-41). The O.T. Messiah is the Savior - John 1:6-8 and Luke 2:30-32
FACT #6 - The O.T. Messiah (or Christ) would be the ETERNAL ONE! 1. ETERNAL ONE John 12:32-34 and Micah 4:7 and Isaiah 9:6,7 and Psalm 72:15-18; 110:4 and Daniel 7:13,14 Revelation 1:8,11,17,18 and Isaiah 41:4; 44:6; 48:12 FACT #7 - The O.T. Messiah (or Christ; Anointed One; Chosen One; Holy One) would be a PROPHET, PRIEST, & KING NOTE: The Hebrew word for MESSIAH is the same word for ANOINTED. It is the word MASHIYACH (MAW-SHEE-AKH) which comes from the root word MASHACH (MAW-SHAKH) which means "to rub with oil; anoint." The word MASHIYACH is translated 2 times MESSIAH (Daniel 9:25,26) and 37 times ANOINTED. In the O.T. there are 3 offices that are referred to as ANOINTED. The offices of Prophet, Priest & King. PROPHET 1st Chronicles 16:16-22 and Psalm 105:9-15 (Abraham, Isaac & Jacob). Habakkuk 3:13 (Moses) PRIEST Leviticus 4:3,5,16; 6:22; 8:2,10-12 (Aaron) KING 1st Samuel 10:1; 12:3,5; 15:17; 24:6,10; 26:9,11,16,23 and 2nd Samuel 1:14,16 (Saul) 1st Samuel 16:6,13; 19:21; 22:51; 23:1 and 2nd Samuel 2:4,7; 5:3 and 2nd Chronicles 6:42 and Psalm 18:50; 20:6; 28:8; 132:10,17 (David) Lamentations 4:20 (Zedekiah) Isaiah 45:1 (Cyrus) NOTE: The word MASHIYACH could have been translated MESSIAH 5 times (Daniel 9:25,26 and 1st Samuel 2:10,35 and Psalm 2:2 - See Acts 4:25-27) instead of just 2 times. *These 3 offices undoubtedly picture the 3 great offices of Christ. PROPHET John 4:42 (Samaritans) - Deuteronomy 18:15,18,19 John 7:40,41 (Many people) - Deuteronomy 18:15,18,19 Acts 3:20-23 (Peter) - Deuteronomy 18:15,18,19 Acts 7:37 (Stephen) - Deuteronomy 18:15,18,19 PRIEST Hebrews 5:6; 6:20; 7:14-28 (Paul) - Psalm 110:4 KING Matthew 2:1-4 (Herod, Priests & Scribes) - Micah 5:2 (Ruler) and Isaiah 44:6 and Isaiah 6:1-5 Matthew 15:31,32 (Chief Priests & Scribes) - Numbers 24:7, 17-19 and 2nd Samuel 7:12,13,16 and Psalm 2:6 Luke 1:31-33 (angel) - Exodus 15:18 and Psalm 45:6; 145:10-13; 146:10 Matthew 22:41-46 (Jesus) - Psalm 110:1-7
Acts 2:30-36 (Peter) Hebrews 1:13 (Paul) IN CONCLUSION - Was Jesus the O.T. Messiah? 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
According According According According According According
to to to to to to
Simeon He was! (Luke 2:25-30) the crowd He wasn't (Luke 23:34,35) Andrew He was! (John 1:40-42) the High Priest (i.e., the religious crowd) He wasn't (Matthew 26:62-66) the sinful woman at the well He was! (John 4:24-29) John the Baptist He was! (John 1:6-23)
*Good advice - Don't follow the crowd... follow Jesus. Get in the Word of God!
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Chronological Order of Christ in the Old Testament How much do you really know about the Old Testament Messiah? I.
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The Physical Appearances of Christ in the Old Testament 1. Genesis 14:17-20 (Hebrews 5:6; 7:1-8) - Jesus is called Melchizedek, priest, man, Son of God. He blessed Abraham. 2 reasons why some say Melchizedek was not Christ: 1. Hebrews 7:3,15 - made like unto the Son of God (Daniel 3:25) 2. Hebrews 7:4 - called a man (Genesis 18:1-2; 32:24; Joshua 5:13) 5 reasons why I believe Melchizedek was Christ! 1. called priest of the most high God (before the Law was given) Hebrews 7:1 2. called a priest forever (like Jesus) - Hebrews 5:6; 7:3,17,21 3. called "king of Salem" (peace) - Isaiah 9:6; Ephesians 2:14; Hebrews 7:1-2 4. called "king of Righteousness" - Romans 10:1-4; Hebrews 7:2 5. without genealogy (Eternal One) - Hebrews 7:3 2. Genesis 16:7-13 (called angel of the Lord - blessed Hagar) 3. Genesis 18:1-14 (called Lord, man - blessed Abraham) 4. Genesis 32:24-30 (Hosea 12:2-5) (called man, God, angel - blessed Jacob) 5. Numbers 22:22-35 (called angel of the Lord - warned Balaam) 6. Joshua 5:13-15 (called man - fought for Joshua & Israel) 7. Judges 2:1-4 (called angel of the Lord - rebuked Joshua & Israel) 8. Judges 6:11-22 (called angel of the Lord, Lord - fought for Gideon & Israel) 9. Judges 13:1-22 (called angel of the Lord, God, man - raised up Samson for Israel) 10. 2nd Samuel 24:13-17; 1st Chronicles 21:12-18; 2nd Chronicles 3:1 (called angel of the Lord, Lord, angel - chastened king David & Israel 11. 1st Kings 19:1-7 (called angel of the Lord, angel - strengthened Elijah) 12. Daniel 3:23-28 (Hebrews 7:3) (called Son of God, angel - protected Shadrach, Meshach, & Abednego) 13. Zechariah 1:7-19; 2:1-3; 3:1-6; 4:1-5; 5:5-10; and 6:4,5 (called angel of the Lord, angel, man - revealed truth to Zechariah) The Personal Appearances of Christ in the Old Testament 1. Genesis 21:17,18 (called angel of God - cared for Hagar) 2. Genesis 22:11-18 (called angel of the Lord - blessed Abraham)
3. Genesis 28:13-16 (called Lord - blessed Jacob) 4. Genesis 31:11-13 (called angel of God - instructs Jacob) 5. Exodus 3:1,2 (John 8:58 and Acts 7:30-33) (called angel of the Lord - instructs Moses) 6. Exodus 13:21 (Exodus 23:20-23) (called Lord - leads and protects Israel) 7. Exodus 14:19 (called angel of God - leads and protects Israel) 8. 2nd Kings 1:3,15 (called angel of the Lord - protected Elijah) 9. 2nd Kings 19:35 (2nd Chronicles 32:21; Isaiah 37:36) (called angel of the Lord - Zechariah 1:11,12; 3:1,5,6; 12:8) 10. Daniel 6:22 (Numbers 20:16 and Isaiah 63:9 and Daniel 3:28) (called angel - protected Daniel) III.
The Personal References of Christ in the Old Testament 1. Genesis 24:7,40 (called angel - Abraham instructs servant) 2. Genesis 48:16 (called angel - Jacob recalls Genesis 32:24-30) 3. Exodus 23:20-23; 32:34; 33:2 (Numbers 20:16) (called angel - Exodus 13:21; 14:19; Isaiah 63:9) 4. Numbers 20:16 (called angel - Exodus 13:21; 14:19; Isaiah 63:9) 5. Judges 5:23 (called angel of the Lord - Judges 2:1,4; 6:11,12,21,22; 13:3,13,15, 16-18,20,21) 6. Psalms 34:7; 35:5,6 (called angel of the Lord) 7. Isaiah 63:9 (called angel of his presence - Exodus 23:20-23) 8. Hosea 12:4 (called angel - Genesis 32:24-30) 9. Zechariah 12:8 (called angel of the Lord - Zechariah 1:11,12; 3:1,5,6; 12:8) 10. Ecclesiastes 5:6 (called angel)