Lessons from the southern kingdom of Judah (1)

The scepter shall not depart from Judah, Nor a lawgiver from between his feet, Until Shiloh comes; And to Him shall be the obedience of the people. Genesis 49:10

And as already mentioned, since Israel (in the north) did not repent and return to the Lord, God finally pulled the plug on them in 722 BC. After giving them 210 years to repent, God finally turned Israel over to their enemies—the Assyrians.  (This is a common way that God judges nations. If our nation does not repent, it is likely to happen to us as well.) The nation of Israel never existed as a nation again.

The Assyrians took most of the people from Israel and resettled them in other lands. At the same time, they brought other people groups they conquered from elsewhere and resettled them in Israel. The result was a group of people who were a racial mixture of Jewish and Gentile—but more importantly they were a spiritual mixture of Jewish and pagan.  That hybrid people were known as the Samaritans. They were hated by the people of Judah in the south—all the way until Jesus’ day.

Meanwhile, Judah (in the south)—the tribe from which the Deliverer, Jesus, was promised to come—was not without their problems.  Judah was ruled by 20 different kings—all descendants of David—over a period of 345 years.  Judah had one more king than in Israel, but over a longer period of time: 345 years instead of only 210 years.  Thus the kings of Judah actually lasted longer on average.  

As a nation, Judah lasted 136 years longer than Israel.  Judah had both good and bad kings—nearly twice as many bad as good, but the good ruled for longer periods. Why? God blessed them. Of Judah’s bad kings, two stand out:

REHOBOAM (son, and successor of Solomon) split the kingdom due to his foolishness.

MANASSEH was arguably worse, even than Israel’s King Ahab! He led Judah into sins worse than the pagans who occupied the land before Joshua led the Israelites to conquer the land 549 years earlier.  Manasseh was so evil that God allowed him to be conquered and carried off by his enemies, where he—thanks to the grace of God—repented. His repentance was as good as his sins were bad, so God miraculously restored him to his throne in Judah. There, Manasseh tried to lead the nation in repentance as well. But sadly, the nation (including Manasseh’s son, Amon) would not repent.  

Manasseh’s story is a classic example of two truths: (1) God can, and sometimes does, save the very worst sinners.  (2) Even when we are saved, there are often irreversible consequences for our former sins. Do not take this lightly, thinking one can repent and get serious about the Lord later. Besides the fact that the longer one refuses to repent, the less likely one is to ever repent.  Besides that, one may commit sins now that will have life-long consequences—even though God may forgive.

Of the good kings in Judah, three stand out:  Next time…

Jesus and OT prophets

When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, "Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?" So they said, "Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets."  
Matthew 16:13-14

As mentioned last time, God faithfully sent prophets to Israel (northern kingdom).

There were two kinds of Old Testament prophets: writing and speaking. The writing prophets’ prophecies are included in the OT. The writing prophets from Israel were Amos, Hosea, and Jonah. Although Jonah was from Israel in the north, he actually prophesied to the pagan nation of Nineveh—which became Assyria, which eventually overthrew Israel.

The writing prophets had a three-pronged agenda: (1) Call the people to repentance. (2) Warn the people of God’s judgment. (3) Predict the coming of the promised Messiah.  The promise of the Messiah was a greatly needed encouragement to the faithful few in Israel.

There were several speaking prophets, but two of the most prominent were Elijah and Elisha.

Elijah was a type of Christ. When Jesus asked the disciples, “Who do men say that I am?” they replied, “Some say [You are] Elijah.”  Elijah was a rugged prophet in the wilderness—clad in a garment of hair, with a leather belt around his waist—who wasn’t afraid to pronounce God’s judgment on erring King Ahab (the worst of the bad kings in Israel).

Elisha was also a type of Christ.  Elisha was Elijah’s student and successor. Like Jesus, Elisha performed many miracles (twice as many as his predecessor, Elijah).  Like Jesus, Elisha performed many miracles of healing and mercy. As Jesus multiplied the loaves and the fishes, Elisha multiplied flour and oil. Elisha raised a dead child to life and restored him to his mother; Jesus raised at least three dead people and restored them to their families.

As we read the OT, let us ask God for eyes to see Christ. We will see prefigures, or types of Christ in the prophets, particularly in Elijah and Elisha

Lessons from the northern kingdom of Israel

Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. 1 Corinthians 10:6

And now for a little political history: The United Kingdom of Israel (under Saul, David, and Solomon) ended in 931 BC when the kingdom split into the two separate kingdoms of Israel (in the north) and Judah (in the south).

Israel (in the north) was ruled by 19 kings over a period of 210 years. (We’ll discuss Judah in a future post.) The kings of Israel were all bad. Their greatest evil was spiritual idolatry. In addition, whenever they were in trouble, they looked to the pagan nations around them for help, instead of crying out to God.  No big surprise, they no longer worshiped God. The two worst were Jeroboam and Ahab.

Jeroboam I (who ruled for 22 years) was the king who led the revolt and split the United Kingdom of Israel in two, taking 10 of the 12 tribes to form Israel in the north (leaving 2 tribes in the south to form the nation of Judah). Jeroboam was concerned that since the place of worship—the temple— was in the south in Judah, his people would want to go there to worship. He was fearful that he would not be able to control the people if he could not control their religion. (Does that sound like a misunderstanding of true worship?)  Jeroboam established a whole new religion for his nation. Of course, it was a false religion since there is only one true religion.  Jeroboam’s sin was so great that throughout the 209 year history of Israel, the Bible repeatedly refers to “the sins of Jeroboam.”

Ahab was the 7th king of Israel. He was arguably the most wicked of all. He married a pagan woman named Jezebel. Together they openly defied God and His prophets. And together they led the nation in worshiping Baal (yet a different false religion from the one Jeroboam established 55 years earlier). The worship of Baal included human sacrifices—of one’s own children, no less! Ahab and Jezebel both died in disgrace.

In addition to these two “over the top” evil kings, there were 17 others monarchs over the 210 years of Israel’s existence who were not much better. The evil kings in Israel (north) are a graphic picture of what happens to a people who reject God. LET AMERICA BEWARE!

Though the nation of Israel rejected God (vacillating between the false religions of Jeroboam and the worship of Baal), He faithfully sent prophets to Israel warning them of impending judgment, calling them to repentance, and prophesying about the coming Deliverer.  Praise God, there are many faithful pulpits across America that are doing the same—may Christ’s Church wake up, listen, and abandon our worldliness!

Two important prophets in Israel (north) were Elijah and Elisha—both of whom were types of Christ.  More on these two prophets next time.

Jesus and the Temple

Now it came to pass, when David was dwelling in his house, that David said to Nathan the prophet, "See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of the LORD is under tent curtains."
1 Chronicles 17:1-15

David wanted to build a house for God—a temple.  At first, the prophet, Nathan, encouraged David to do so (v.2).  But that night God spoke to Nathan telling him to inform David that he must not build the temple (v.3-ff). Instead of David building a house for God, God promised to build a house for David (v.10-15).

Additionally, God foretold of a temple that would be built by David’s “seed” who would build the temple (v.11).  This prophecy had two fulfillments.

First, David’s son, Solomon, did in fact build a spectacular, physical temple in Jerusalem.  However, other prophecies about this Son of David, His kingdom, and the temple He would build were not fulfilled by Solomon.  For example, Solomon’s kingdom was not, as prophesied, eternal (v.14).

Nathan’s prophecy about David’s Son, were fulfilled many years later by David’s greater Son, Jesus.

Jesus was a Son of David (Matthew 1:1-16). Jesus was indeed a king (John 18:36-37).  Jesus promised that He would build His Church (Matthew 16:18), which is the ultimate temple of the Lord (Ephesians 2:19-22, 1 Peter 2:4-5).

The promises of the OT are all ultimately fulfilled in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:16).

Jesus and the tribe/nation of Judah

For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:6-8

Why is there evil, pain, and suffering in the world?

It has always been God’s big plan to create a people to whom He could demonstrate how great His love is. How better to demonstrate love than to love the most unlovely?  That is why God ordained sin—so He could love sinners.

(Though God ordains sin for the accomplishment of His purposes, He is neither the author of sin, nor is He responsible for sin.  Sin is simply what happens when human beings refuse to worship and obey God perfectly.)

One of the aspects of God’s plan to demonstrate His unparalleled love by loving sinners is to gather all the people He forgives into His kingdom.

The kingdom of Israel is a foreshadow of the kingdom of God. Israel grew from a man to a family, to a big family, to a nation, and then a kingdom, led by kings Saul, David, and Solomon.  Right after Solomon, things went downhill—fast.

Solomon’s son, Rehoboam was the next king of Israel. However, because he was exceedingly foolish, and because he was heavy-handed with the people, under his unwise leadership, the united kingdom of Israel split in two:

• 10 of 12 tribes in the north—were called Israel (also called Samaria or Ephraim).

• 2 of 12 tribes in the south—were called Judah (after the kingly tribe of Judah.) Rehoboam ruled over the tribes of Judah and Benjamin in the south.

What has this to do with Jesus? Clear back in Genesis 49, God promised Jacob that the Messiah/Deliverer (Jesus) would come from the kingly tribe of Judah. Later, God promised David and Solomon (from the kingly tribe of Judah) that the Messiah would come from David’s line. The Messiah/Deliverer—Jesus—was to come from David’s family in Judah. Since the Bible is the story of the Jesus the Deliverer, our attention needs to be primarily on Judah in the south.

Jesus and the Law

"Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.
Matthew 5:17

The Law is all about Christ.

First, the Law was so holy that the people were not even to get too near Mount Sinai when the Law was being delivered to Moses by God. Jesus is holy as God is holy, but He came near to us!

The bulk of God’s law is about worship. The first four of Ten Commandments are about worship. The largest portion of the rest of the Law is about: (1) The tabernacle (the place of worship), (2) the priests (those who lead in worship), and (3) the sacrifices (the way in which they were to worship).

Every detail of the tabernacle is a picture of Christ.

The first thing one sees upon entering the temple courtyard is the altar for sacrifices, reminding us of our sin and the need for a sacrifice. Next, a large wash basin in which those who come to God must be ceremonially cleansed, reminding us of baptism. Then into the Holy Place where there was a table of showbread, reminding us that Jesus is the Bread of life (John 6:35). Also in the Holy Place was the golden lampstand, reminding us that Jesus is the Light of the world (John 8:12). Lastly in the Holy Place, the altar of incense, reminding us that Jesus ever lives to make intercession for us (Hebrews 7:25).

A veil separated even the priests from the Holy of Holies. The veil was a reminder that sinners cannot draw too near to the Presence of God. When Jesus died, the veil in the temple was miraculously torn from top to bottom as a sign from God that once our sins are forgiven, the separation is removed (Matthew 27:51). Hebrews 10:20 says the veil that was torn was a symbol of Christ’s body being torn for our forgiveness.

In the Holy of Holies was a box called the Ark of the Covenant. The details of the Ark point to Christ: It was common wood overlaid with gold—a symbol of His humanity (wood) and His deity (gold) becoming one Person. Inside the box (Hebrews 9:4) were the Ten commandments, Aaron’s rod that budded, and a jar of manna. These three things symbolized man’s rejection of God—the Ten commandments: man’s rejection of God’s law; Aaron’s rod that budded: man’s rejection of God’s leadership; A jar of manna: man’s rejection of God’s gracious provision.

There was a solid gold lid on the box with two angels who stood guard to keep sinful man from the holiness of God (Genesis 3:24). Their wings stretched over as if to cover God’s eyes from seeing man’s sin—but it doesn’t work. But the solid gold lid that covers the box and the contents of the box is a picture of Christ who covers our sins so that God does not see them—perfect forgiveness.

Jesus did not do away with the Law. Rather, He fulfilled it. How did Jesus fulfill the Law? He kept it for His people who have failed to keep it. The reward of righteousness that He earned by perfect obedience is credited to the spiritual accounts of those who are “in Christ.”

Jesus received all the wrath of God that His people deserve for having violated God’s holy Law. The wrath of God was infinitely greater than the wrath of Roman crucifixion.

Jesus received the penalty for breaking the Law (even though He never broke it), thus taking the punishment His people deserve—so that when we (who are in Christ) stand before God, we will not be judged because Christ was already judged in our place.

Jesus and the Passover

“We are were redeemed with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.”
1 Peter 1:19

Jesus is pictured with crystal clarity in the Passover (Exodus 12).

God’s judgment on Egypt was set. God planned to kill the firstborn of every family (a picture of all in every family). God promised to spare those who, in faith, sacrificed an innocent lamb, and who put its blood on the doorposts and lintels of their houses. When God went throughout the land taking the lives of the firstborn, the Lord “passed over” the homes marked by the blood (Exodus 12:23).

Can you see that this is a picture of Christ Jesus, the ultimate, innocent Lamb of God who shed His blood on the cross? All who, in faith, are under the blood of Jesus will be “passed over” in the last Judgment. How is that possible? Jesus shed His innocent blood: (1) to pay the penalty for our sins; and (2) to purchase our release from bondage to sin.

We receive that incredible blessing by trusting in Christ by “getting under His blood.” (1 Peter 1:19)

In the same way the Jews did nothing to deliver themselves, and contributed nothing to what God did for them, we do nothing to save ourselves, and contribute nothing to what God in Christ has done for us.

As the Jews were to escape from Egypt, fleeing to the Promised Land, though we live in this world, we flee the world by refusing to be worldly. And just as the Jews were to celebrate the Passover to remember God’s gracious deliverance from Egypt, we celebrate the Lord’s Supper to remember God’s gracious deliverance from sin, death, and Hell.

Jesus and Moses (5)

And he said, "Please, show me Your glory." Then He said, "I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion." But He said, "You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live." And the LORD said, "Here is a place by Me, and you shall stand on the rock. So it shall be, while My glory passes by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock, and will cover you with My hand while I pass by. Then I will take away My hand, and you shall see My back; but My face shall not be seen."
Exodus 33:18-23

Moses was “In Christ” as pictured in Exodus 33:18-23. Moses wanted to see God’s glory. But neither Moses (nor anyone else) can see God and live (v.20). So God set Moses up to see as much of God and His glory as he could safely bear. Moses was directed to wedge himself into a crevasse in a rocky cliff. God promised to pass by, covering Moses’ face. And then when God had passed by, He removed His hand and allowed Moses to see the backside of His glory as God went away from Moses.

Is God stingy about allowing us to see Him and His glory? No, He loves us too much to allow us to experience His glory—that would kill us. That’s right, God is so holy that to look on Him, or even on His unveiled glory, would kill us. Imagine something so beautiful that to see it would mean death! That is resoundingly true of God!

That Moses was “in a rock” for protection is a picture of believers being “in Christ.” The good news is that while Moses could not see too much, we who are “in Christ” will see God’s face in Heaven!

Jesus and Moses (4)

“Yet now, if You will forgive their sin--but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your book which You have written.”
Exodus 32:32

God was supremely displeased with Israel. He had delivered them from slavery in Egypt—with many signs and wonders. God manifested His presence n a special manner as He gave them the Ten Commandments (that included a prohibition against idolatry). While Moses was up on the mountain receiving the rest of God’s law, the people grew impatient, requesting that Aaron make for them a golden calf (Exodus 32:1), which Aaron did (v.2-4).

To say God was displeased is a gross understatement. In (v.10) God spoke of His intention to destroy Israel and to make a new nation from Moses. In (v.11-13) Moses interceded for his people, appealing to God’s grace for the sake of His name.

In (v.30) Moses told the people he would continue to intercede for them, which he did in (v.31-32). Note that Moses was willing to be condemned by God if He would not otherwise forgive the people’s sin (v.32).

In this, Moses was a type of Christ, being willing to be cursed to save his people. Moses, however, could not be cursed for His people as Jesus was to save His people (Galatians 3:13). Why? Because unlike Jesus, Moses was also a sinner. He therefore needed a Savior just as much as Israel (or anyone else) does.

Moses was a deliverer—a great deliverer. But Moses was not The Great Deliverer. Only Jesus could be that because being God and Man, Jesus is sinless!

Thank the Lord not only for being willing to be cursed for those He came to save, but for actually doing so, and then rising from the dead to be our living Savior who continues to intercede for His people.

Jesus and Moses (3)

I will raise up for them a Prophet like you from among their brethren, and will put My words in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that I command Him. And it shall be that whoever will not hear My words, which He speaks in My name, I will require it of him.”
Deuteronomy 18:18-19

Considering the parallels between Moses and Jesus, here are the second fifteen of thirty for your meditation. The point? Jesus is everywhere in the Old Testament. There are too many to be dismissed as mere coincidence

16. Moses told the people about the need for a Passover lamb.
Jesus became the Passover Lamb.

17. Moses controlled the waters of the Red Sea.
Jesus controlled the Sea of Galilee.

18. Moses appointed 70 rulers over Israel.
Jesus appointed 70 disciples to preach the gospel.

19. Moses fed thousands supernaturally with bread.
Jesus fed thousands supernaturally with bread.

20. Moses fasted 40 days on a mountain while receiving the Law.
Jesus fasted 40 days on a mountain before beginning His ministry.

21. The face of Moses shown with glory on Mount Sinai.
Jesus shown with glory on the Mount of Transfiguration.

22. Moses gave the the Ten Commandments.
Jesus gave the Great Commandment.

23. Moses gave God’s Law on Mount Sinai.
Jesus interpreted God’s Law on the Mount of the Beatitudes. (Sermon on the Mount.)

24. Moses offered his life for the salvation of his people after the sin of the golden calf. (Moses was unable.)
Jesus offered His life for the salvation of the world. (Jesus accomplished the task.)

25. Moses was misunderstood by his brothers and sisters.
Jesus was misunderstood by His brothers and sisters.

26. Moses brought water out of the rock.
Jesus is that Rock (1 Cor. 10)

27. Moses lifted the bronze serpent up in the wilderness to heal people.
Jesus was lifted up on the cross to heal us from our sins. (John 3)

28. Moses sent 12 spies to Canaan so he could bring people to the Promised Land.
Jesus sent 12 disciples to the world so He could bring people to Heaven.

29. The people picked up stones to stone Moses but they did not succeed. (Num. 14:10)
The people picked up stones to stone Jesus, but they did not succeed.

30. Moses is arguably the lead figure of the Old Testament.
Jesus is the lead figure of the New Testament & the whole Bible.

When God said He would give the people another Prophet like Moses, but greater, He was speaking about Christ.  Jesus is the promised Prophet.

Note: There are many such parallel lists comparing Moses and Jesus.

Jesus and Moses (2)

I will raise up for them a Prophet like you from among their brethren, and will put My words in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that I command Him. And it shall be that whoever will not hear My words, which He speaks in My name, I will require it of him.”
Deuteronomy 18:18-19

Considering the parallels between Moses and Jesus, here are the first fifteen of thirty for your meditation. The point? Jesus is everywhere in the Old Testament. These are too many to be dismissed as mere coincidence

1.   Moses was the first mediator.
Jesus is the final Mediator.

2.  Moses was chosen by God to be a leader.
Jesus was chosen by God to be the Leader.

3. Moses was a Hebrew, born while his people were suffering under a cruel leader. (Pharaoh)
Jesus was a Hebrew, born while His people were suffering under a cruel leader. (Herod)

4.  The leader of the land that Moses was born in tried to kill all of the baby boys when he was born.
The leader of the land that Jesus was born in tried to kill all of the baby boys when He was born.

5.  God miraculously intervened to save Moses. (from Pharaoh)
God miraculously intervened to save Jesus. (from Herod)

6.  Moses was hidden in Egypt as a child.
Jesus hid in Egypt as a child.

7.   Moses rejected a lavish, ruling lifestyle in the house of the Pharaoh.  Instead, he chose a humble life.
Jesus rejected the offers of Satan to be the ruler of this world and instead chose a humble life.

8.  Moses was a shepherd.
Jesus is the Good Shepherd

9.  There is a long period of silence in the story of Moses from the time he was a child until adulthood.
There is a long period of silence in the story of Jesus from the time He was a child until adulthood.

10. Moses showed compassion to a gentile woman getting water at a well.
Jesus showed compassion to a gentile woman getting water at a well.

11. Moses took a gentile bride.
Jesus took a gentile Bride (the Church).

12. Moses communicated directly with God.
Jesus communicated directly with God.

13. Moses’ mission was to redeem Israel from slavery to Egypt.
Jesus’ mission was to redeem mankind from slavery to sin.

14. Moses was rejected by the leaders of his people.
Jesus was rejected by the leaders of His people.

15. Moses performed miracles.
Jesus performed miracles.

There you have Jesus and Moses, in fulfillment of God’s promise. The second 15 parallels, tomorrow.

Jesus and Moses (1)

"The LORD your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your midst, from your brethren. Him you shall hear… I will raise up for them a Prophet like you from among their brethren, and will put My words in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that I command Him. And it shall be that whoever will not hear My words, which He speaks in My name, I will require it of him.”
Deuteronomy 18:15,18-19

We don’t really have to defend the notion that Jesus is the subject of the NT, but we are considering Jesus’ claim that He is the subject of the Old Testament. We have considered Jesus before creation, in Creation, in the Fall, and in the Flood. We have considered Jesus and the Patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph. Let’s begin in this post considering Jesus and Moses. 

First, Moses the Man: Moses is not the first man of the Jewish race, but he is arguably the most important man in the history of the Jewish religion. Moses wrote the first five books of the Bible. God used Moses to lead His people, Israel (as many as 2.5 million of them!), out of a 400-year bondage in Egypt. He led them (again, as many as 2.5 million of them!) in the wilderness for 40 years, during which they received the Ten Commandments and the rest of the Law—the law that governed all Jewish life for the next several thousand years.  But what has that to do with Jesus?

Moses and the Greater Prophet. In Deuteronomy 18:15, 18-19, God promised Moses and the people that He was going to raise up another Prophet, similar to Moses, but even greater than Moses—and Moses was a hard act to follow!

God told Moses and the people that they were to listen to the words of the promised Prophet to come, and that if they didn’t (v.19) God would require it of them—JUDGMENT. Who is that Prophet? That Prophet is none other than JESUS.

John 6:14 records, “Then those men, when they had seen the sign that Jesus did, said, “This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.” The people who saw Jesus knew it!

In Acts 3:20, Stephen, speaking of Jesus said: “that He [God] may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before…” Then Stephen quoted Deuteronomy 18 (in Acts 3:22) saying, “For Moses truly said to the fathers, ‘the Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me [Moses] from your brethren. Him [the Prophet] you shall hear in all things, whatever He says to you.’”

Jesus was and is the promised Prophet who is like Moses, but so much greater!

Jesus and Joseph

Joseph said to them, "Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones." And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them. Genesis 50:19-21

Jacob favored one of his twelve sons, Joseph, above the others. Joseph’s brothers saw their father’s favoritism and were resentful. They sold their little brother as a slave and told their father that he was killed by a wild beast.

Joseph ended up in Egypt, where he became a slave to a man named Potiphar. Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce Joseph, but he refused. She, in turn, falsely accused Joseph of trying to rape her.  As a result, Joseph was thrown into an Egyptian dungeon, where God blessed Joseph even while in prison. Joseph earned the reputation for being able to interpret dreams (it was God, not Joseph, of course!)

When the Pharaoh had a dream and no one could interpret it, Joseph was hauled out of the dungeon and presented to Pharaoh. Joseph correctly interpreted the Pharaoh’s dream about seven years of plenty, followed by seven years of famine.  Impressed, Pharaoh put Joseph in charge of preparing for the famine.

The famine was so bad that Joseph’s family back in Palestine was starving.  When they heard that there was food in Egypt, Joseph’s brothers traveled to Egypt to buy food.

Once there, Joseph recognized them, but they did not recognize Joseph. After a bit of drama, Joseph revealed his identity as their long-lost brother—whom they previously sold!  They were afraid that Joseph would be vengeful, but he was not.  Joseph addressed their fears (Genesis 50:19-21), comforting them and speaking kindly to them.

Joseph is another picture of Christ.

• Like Joseph, Jesus was hated and rejected by His people, who sought to kill Him by having Him crucified on a Roman cross.

• Just as Joseph refused to retaliate, but instead saved his brothers and their families, Jesus’ death (and resurrection) provided salvation for those who trust in Him.

John 1:11-12 He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name…

When Jesus explained to His disciples—on the Road to Emmaus—how He was everywhere in the OT (Luke 24), I’ll bet he told them everything I just told you—only better.

The point is, Jesus is on every page of the Bible. The stories in the Old Testament are not morality myths or fables.  They all really happened and they all point to Christ. Oh, how I pray that we all learn to see Jesus in the Old Testament!

Jesus and Jacob

Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day. Now when He saw that He did not prevail against him, He touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Jacob's hip was out of joint as He wrestled with him. And He said, "Let Me go, for the day breaks." But he said, "I will not let You go unless You bless me!" So He said to him, "What is your name?" He said, "Jacob." And He said, "Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed." Then Jacob asked, saying, "Tell me Your name, I pray." And He said, "Why is it that you ask about My name?" And He blessed him there.
Genesis 32:24-29

Isaac went on to marry Rebekah. The story of their marriage in Genesis 24 is also a picture of The Holy Spirit going to get a “Bride” for Jesus the Son of God  (The Bride of Christ is the Church of Jesus Christ.).

Note that Rebekah was willing to leave her home to marry Isaac, just as believers must be willing to leave everything to follow Christ as His Bride.

Isaac and Rebekah had twin sons: Esau and Jacob. Esau was a man’s man, but not spiritually tuned. Jacob was a sneak, a liar, and a thief. Isaac favored Esau, and Rebekah favored Jacob. (Favoritism in a family always causes trouble—and it did!) Rebekah led Jacob to deceive his father Isaac to steal his father’s blessing from his elder brother Esau. This caused such strife that Jacob had to flee for his life.

While away, Jacob married two women (sisters!) and had twelve sons and a daughter. While Jacob was a dishonest conniver, he was outmatched by his father-in-law, Laban. God blessed Jacob and Jacob decided to make a run for it to get away from his over-bearing father-in-law, Laban.

Jacob and his family came back to the land—God promised had to Abraham—from which he had fled. Jacob was going to have to face his estranged brother, whom Jacob had defrauded, not once but twice!

The night before the twin brothers met, while Jacob was again afraid for his life, God met with him, and they “wrestled” all night. When Jacob realized that he couldn’t “defeat” God, Jacob surrendered, pleading for God’s blessing—which God graciously gave. That all-night wrestling match resulted in Jacob’s conversion. Even though Jacob was a descendant of Abraham, Jacob was not “saved” until he surrendered to God. It was when he surrendered—just as it is for each of us. We must surrender to Jesus if we are to be saved.

Jesus and Isaac (2)

Then He said, "Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you." Genesis 22:2

There are more pictures of Jesus in this event than we have time to fully develop.  Here are just a few:

• Isaac was Abraham’s only son—>Jesus is the only begotten Son of God

• Isaac was loved by Abraham—>Jesus is loved by God the Father

• Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son as per the will of God—>God was willing to sacrifice His Son to fulfill His will

• Abraham and Isaac went to a far place to offer the sacrifice—>Jesus came from Heaven to earth to offer the sacrifice

• Isaac carried the wood for the sacrifice—>Jesus carried His cross

• Isaac was to be offered on Mount Moriah—>It is believed that Mount Moriah is the location of Jerusalem—on the same mountain where the temple was later built, and where Jesus was crucified.

• Abraham believed God could raise Isaac from the dead—>God did raise Jesus from the dead

When Abraham was willing, but was stopped from sacrificing Isaac, God said: Genesis 22:18 “In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice." Who is the seed God was referring to?  Remember what Paul said in Galatians 3:16:  Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, "And to seeds," as of many, but as of one, "AND TO YOUR SEED," who is Christ.”

The Seed of Abraham is Christ!

Jesus and Isaac (1)

And the LORD visited Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did for Sarah as He had spoken. For Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him. And Abraham called the name of his son who was born to him--whom Sarah bore to him--Isaac. Genesis 21:1-3

The strife that existed between Sarah and Hagar grew worse when Isaac was born.  That gave way to strife between Ishmael’s descendants (Arabs) and Isaac’s descendants (Jews)—which continues to this day!

God directed Abraham to send Hagar and Ishmael away.  While that sounds harsh, it was God’s way of punctuating that He does not accept our works; the works of the flesh, which are our efforts to fulfill God’s promises that only God can fulfill.

When Isaac was probably around 21 years old, God commanded Abraham saying:

Genesis 22:2 "Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you."

This Abraham believed God and therefore he obeyed. Hebrews 11:17 offers NT commentary on this OT event:

“By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,  18  of whom it was said, "IN ISAAC YOUR SEED SHALL BE CALLED,"  [Remember: Seed = Jesus] 19  concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense.) believing that since God had promised to fulfill His promises through Isaac, that even if Abraham killed Isaac, God would raise Isaac from the dead.”

God stopped Abraham at the last possible moment saying:

Genesis 22:12 "Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me."

Abraham and Isaac are a prophetic type of God the Father sacrificing His Son, Jesus. The difference is that by faith, Abraham was willing, whereas God carried out the plan to sacrifice His Son.

More pictures of Jesus in this event, next time.

Jesus and Abraham (3)

But it is not that the word of God has taken no effect. For they are not all Israel who are of Israel, 7 nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham; but, "IN ISAAC YOUR SEED SHALL BE CALLED." 8 That is, those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted as the seed. Romans 9:6-8

Even after God cut the covenant with Abraham, alas, Abraham still had no child.  Eleven years later, at age 86, Abraham’s wife, Sarah, suggested that Abraham conceive a child with her maid, Hagar.  Abraham followed his wife’s bad advice and Abraham had a son, Ishmael.  From that point forward, there was strife between Sarah and Hagar. And we might add that from that time until this day, the children of Isaac (Jews), and the children of Ishmael (Arabs), has been anything but peaceful!

The Bible teaches that when we try to take the fulfillment of God’s promises into our own hands—especially in the strength of our flesh—the results are not only disastrous, but altogether unacceptable to God.  Ishmael was not the son God promised to Abraham. Isaac (though not yet born at that time) was the son of Promise (Romans 9:6-8).

Though Abraham had to wait a long time for the fulfillment of God’s promise, God gave Abraham and Sarah a son 13 years later when Abraham was 100 years old and Sarah was 90.  That son’s name was Isaac and God’s promised Seed (Jesus) came through Isaac, not Ishmael.

Jesus and Abraham (2)

“And he [Abraham] believed in the LORD, and He [God] accounted it to him for righteousness.”
Genesis 15:6

God promised to make of Abraham a great nation. But alas, Abraham had no children. Abraham believed God, but even Abraham’s faith was tested when, in Genesis 15, Abraham was 75 years old and still childless. Abraham questioned God (not disrespectfully) “Where is the promise?” (v.2-3). God restated His promise (v.4-5), with a formal covenant that symbolized that God would fulfill His promise irrespective of what Abraham might do or not do (v.9-17).

In the midst of this narrative, even in spite of Abraham’s wobbly faith, God counted Abraham’s faith to him for righteousness.

From Abraham came a family that eventually became the nation of Israel. How has Israel blessed all the families of the earth? Besides being the nation through whom God gave His Law and sent His prophets (Romans 9:4), it was through the nation of Israel that God sent Jesus, the Messiah, the Savior (Romans 9:5).

In case there is any question regarding Jesus being the fulfillment of God’s promise, Galatians 3:16 makes it abundantly clear:

Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, "And to seeds," as of many, but as of one, "AND TO YOUR SEED," who is Christ.

Genesis 15:6 is the first clear teaching in the Bible that God calls people righteous, not because of their ethnicity or because of what they do, but because they believe (or trust) GOD. (Paul points this out in Romans 4:1-3).

What is the promise one must believe to be declared righteous? The promise of Jesus the Messiah—given to Abraham prophetically, and fulfilled in Jesus, the Christ.

The story of Jesus did not begin with His birth in Bethlehem in the New Testament, but in Genesis, the first book of the Old Testament.

Jesus and Abraham (1)

Now the LORD had said to Abram: "Get out of your country, From your family And from your father's house, To a land that I will show you.  2  I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing.  3  I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." Genesis 12:1-3 

Remember our theme: One book, one story, about one Person—Jesus.  We have considered Jesus in Creation and in the Flood. Let’s turn our attention to Jesus and the Patriarchs, beginning with Jesus and Abraham.

That Jesus has some connection with Abraham is confirmed by the first verse in the NT.  “Jesus is the Son of Abraham.”  Jesus refers to Abraham 19 times in the gospels.

Abraham’s name first appears in the Old Testament book of Genesis, chapter 11. God first spoke to Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3.  Besides calling Abraham to move to a land that God promised to show him, God promised to make of Abraham a “great nation,” or people. (Remember God’s plan to create a special people for Himself?)

God made three promises to Abraham: (1) God promised to bless Abraham and that he would be a blessing. (2) God promised that those who bless Abraham would be blessed and those who cursed him would be cursed. And (3) God promised that in Abraham all the families of the earth would be blessed.

To what (or whom) was God referring? Most have concluded that since Abraham was the father of the Jewish people, these promises must refer to the nation of Israel, or the Jews. Though Israel was especially blessed by God (Romans 9:4), there is a verse in Galatians (3:16) that identifies who the promised Seed of Abraham is, and is not. “Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, "And to seeds," as of many [Israel], but as of one, "and to your seed," who is Christ.”

The promised Seed is Christ.  This corrects the error that God’s promises were ultimately and exclusively to Israel and the Jews.  Paul states emphatically that these promises are ultimately about Jesus Christ.

Jesus was Jewish and came from the Jews, but ultimately, Jesus is the Seed of Abraham—confirmed in Matthew 1:1 where Jesus is called the Son of Abraham.

Has the world been blessed by Israel and the Jews?  Yes, in many ways, but the greatest blessing this world has ever experienced is in Jesus, the Messiah, the Savior of the World, and the Seed of Abraham.

It is not a story about animals and a boat! (2)

Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. So the LORD said, "I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them." But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. Genesis 6:5-8

I will conclude my considerations on Christ in the Great Flood by mentioning five parallels between the account of the flood and salvation in Jesus Christ:

1. Just as all people were hopelessly sinful in Noah’s day, so are all people ever since, including every one of us.  We all deserve nothing but God’s judgment and wrath. That’s the bad news. Here’s the good news…

2. Just as “Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD,” so Christians find grace in God’s sight.  We are not saved because we are any better than anyone else.  Many who become Christians were actually worse!  Salvation is God’s grace poured out on the undeserving. And as mentioned last time, we do not find grace in God’s sight as the result of us seeking Him or His grace. Rather, by God’s grace, He finds us.

3. Just as “Noah walked with God” after he found grace, those who find grace in Christ are changed.  No change?  No new affections? There is no grace.

4. Just as God herded Noah’s family and the animals into the Ark, God places the people Christ saves: in Christ, and in the Church.  In Christ and in His Church is the place of safety.  There are still plenty of storms outside, but there is safety inside.

5. Just as God brought them all out of the Ark, God will deliver His redeemed people safely into Heaven.

Have you found grace in God’s sight?  Are you aware of your sin before God, who alone is holy? Do you believe that, as the Ark was the only way to be saved from the flood, Jesus is the only way to salvation from the inevitable flood of God’s final judgment and His just wrath? Does any of this matter to you? Have you therefore placed your trust in, and are you committed to following Him?

Trusting in and following Christ doesn’t capture God’s grace. Rather, trusting in and following Christ is evidence that you have found grace in God’s sight!

My goal in these studies is to demonstrate that Christ and the gospel are in every book of the Bible, beginning with in the opening chapters of Genesis. The Bible is one book, one story, and it is all about Christ! I pray you can see that! 

Lord, may Your people find grace in Your sight!