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Is Jesus In The Old Testament?
In the Old Testament of the Bible, believers are left to wonder if the presence of Jesus appears in any form or fashion. Many attempt to uncover Jesus’ presence in the Old Testament, and are left to explore the mysterious depths of scripture. In this article, we will explore the possibility of Jesus being present in the Old Testament and provide some examples of evidence to support the belief.
First, let’s look at the Old Testament definition. In the Christian tradition, the Old Testament is thought of as the first part of a two-part Christian Bible. It is comprised of 39 books, many of which were written by the Hebrew Prophets. The books of the Old Testament provide an account of the history of Israel and the relationship between God and humanity. It also includes numerous prophetic references to the coming Messiah.
Much of the literature from the Old Testament makes direct reference to the coming Messiah, setting the stage for the New Testament and ultimately, Jesus Christ. In the book of Isaiah, for instance, there are multiple references to the coming of a savior to save the Israelites from their sins and to bring them out of bondage (Isaiah 11:1; 42:7; 53:1-12).
Furthermore, the Old Testament is home to numerous prophecies that are thought to be fulfilled in Jesus. In the book of Isaiah, there is a prophecy that speaks of the virgin birth of the Messiah (Isaiah 7:14). This is fulfilled centuries later when Mary gives birth to Jesus (Matthew 1:18-25). Additionally, in Micah 5:2, there is a prophecy that speaks of the Messiah being born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). Hundreds of years later, Jesus is born in Bethlehem just as the prophecy predicts (Matthew 2:1).
These are just some of the prophecies that are fulfilled in Jesus and point to his presence in the Old Testament. The Old Testament also speaks of Jesus in multiple references that are not explicitly about Him. In Malachi 4:2, for instance, there is a verse that speaks about the “sun of righteousness” that will rise with healing in its wings (Malachi 4:2). This is seen as a reference to Jesus, who is the source of true healing and spiritual light.
When taken as a whole, it is clear that the Old Testament speaks of Jesus in multiple ways, both directly and indirectly. The prophecies and references point to the fact that Jesus was present in the Old Testament in spirit, even if He was not actually present in flesh and blood. This evidence serves as a reminder of God’s promise to humanity that He would send a savior for all believers. And, in the fullness of time, Jesus arrived and fulfilled those promises.
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