The Gospel in the Old Testament, Part 1

Grace to you all! Last week we saw the promise of the gospel of Jesus Christ in Genesis. 3:15. This week we look at God’s saving message in Christ in the Old Testament. All of the bible is about Jesus, whether it looks forward to Him from the Old Testament or looks back at what He accomplished in the New Testament. (Luke 24:25-27)

One way we see Christ in the Old Testament is in all the battles. We are seeing the seed of the woman versus the seed of the Serpent. Israel was the promised family the Messiah was to come through. Israel is often in war with the nations around them as a way of protecting the godly line through which the Messiah was to come. The nations stand against Israel because behind the earthly wars are spiritual realities going on. (Ephesians 6:12) Satan works through his people to seek to destroy God’s children and hence the promised Messiah that was destined to destroy him! (Genesis 3:15) But God prevails. The seed of the woman survives and at the right time Christ is born! (Galatians 4:4-8)

The prophets are another way we see Christ in shadow form in the Old Testament. The prophets spoke on behalf of God to turn the people’s hearts to the Lord. Jesus Christ is the greater Prophet. He brings God’s saving message to mankind. “God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.” (Hebrews 1:1-2) What was the essence of Jesus’ message from God to mankind? ^“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, ²⁶ and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26) The prophets in the Old Testament lay down the patterns of how the Final Prophet Jesus Christ would speak to God’s people.

The Old Testament also has many kings. Some good, some bad. The kings were to rule over God’s people providing for them as a shepherd would his sheep. The king should guide the people into righteousness, protect them their enemies, and most importantly, should glorify God in all that he does. But even the best of the kings didn’t live up to God’s standard. God promised a King who would fulfill His plans. (Ezekiel 37:24-28)

At Christ’s birth, the King of Kings had come! (Matthew 2:2) Like the magi, our response should be to worship our true King and make Him known to the nations for their good and for God’s glory! Next week Part 2 of the Gospel in the Old Testament.

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