“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” – Isaiah 9:6
Prophecies About Jesus
Throughout the Old Testament, there are numerous prophecies that point directly to the coming of Jesus Christ. These predictions often give us glimpses into His life, His ministry, and His ultimate sacrifice for humanity. As we reflect on these verses, we begin to see the beautiful tapestry of God’s plan for redemption and the promise of a Messiah. They remind us that God’s love and intentions have always been for our salvation, and Jesus is the fulfillment of those promises.
Isaiah 7:14
“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” – Isaiah 7:14
Micah 5:2
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” – Micah 5:2
Isaiah 53:5
“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds, we are healed.” – Isaiah 53:5
Zechariah 9:9
“Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” – Zechariah 9:9
Jeremiah 23:5
“The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land.” – Jeremiah 23:5
Types and Shadows of Jesus
The Old Testament provides us with types and shadows that prefigure Jesus. Each person and event serves as an illustration of His character and mission. Through these types, we can understand how Jesus fulfills the roles of prophet, priest, and king. They remind us that God’s plan for humanity was in motion long before Christ walked the earth, showing us the depth of His wisdom and love.
Genesis 22:8
“Abraham answered, ‘God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.’ And the two of them went on together.” – Genesis 22:8
Exodus 12:21-23
“Then Moses summoned all the elders of Israel and said to them, ‘Go at once and select the animals for your families and slaughter the Passover lamb. Take a bunch of hyssop, dip it into the blood in the basin and put some of the blood on the top and on both sides of the doorframe…” – Exodus 12:21-23
Numbers 21:9
“So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole; then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, they lived.” – Numbers 21:9
Psalm 22:16-18
“Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircles me; they pierce my hands and my feet. All my bones are on display; people stare and gloat over me. They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment.” – Psalm 22:16-18
Isaiah 53:10
“Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand.” – Isaiah 53:10
The Promised Messiah
In the Old Testament, the expectation of a coming Savior is prevalent. God consistently reassures His people that He has a plan to bring them hope and salvation. This promise is central to our understanding of Jesus’ mission. He came to fulfill all that God had spoken through the prophets, confirming His identity as the one who was to come and the Savior of the world.
Isaiah 61:1
“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.” – Isaiah 61:1
Psalms 2:7
“I will proclaim the Lord’s decree: He said to me, ‘You are my son; today I have become your father.” – Psalm 2:7
Isaiah 9:7
“Of the greatness of his government and peace, there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.” – Isaiah 9:7
Isaiah 42:1
“Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him and he will bring justice to the nations.” – Isaiah 42:1
Daniel 9:26
“After the sixty-two ‘sevens,’ the Anointed One will be put to death and will have nothing.” – Daniel 9:26
God’s Covenant and Redemption
The covenants established in the Old Testament reveal God’s unwavering commitment to humanity. Through these covenants, we see His desire for relationship and redemption. Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of these covenants, enabling us to experience a new covenant of grace. Together, we can celebrate the reality that through Jesus, we are restored to a right relationship with God.
Genesis 3:15
“And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” – Genesis 3:15
Genesis 12:3
“And all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” – Genesis 12:3
Isaiah 49:6
“He says: ‘It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.’” – Isaiah 49:6
Jeremiah 31:31
“The time is coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah.” – Jeremiah 31:31
Exodus 34:28
“Moses stayed there with the Lord forty days and forty nights without eating bread or drinking water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant—the Ten Commandments.” – Exodus 34:28
Jesus in the Psalms and Proverbs
The Psalms and Proverbs are rich with wisdom and worship, often reflecting the heart of Jesus. Many passages exhibit deep truths about His character, showing us His love, mercy, and justice. As we read them, we find comfort in knowing that the heart of God, expressed through these scriptures, echoes the identity and mission of Christ.
Psalms 110:1
“The Lord says to my lord: ‘Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.’” – Psalm 110:1
Psalm 72:17
“May his name endure forever; may it continue as long as the sun. All nations will be blessed through him, and they will call him blessed.” – Psalm 72:17
Proverbs 30:4
“Who has gone up to heaven and come down? Whose hands have gathered up the wind? Who has wrapped up the waters in a cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and the name of his son? Tell me if you know!” – Proverbs 30:4
Psalms 34:8
“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him!” – Psalm 34:8
Psalms 139:14
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” – Psalm 139:14
Understanding Through Jesus’ Teachings
Many teachings of Jesus can be traced back to the foundation laid in the Old Testament. His parables, sermons, and actions reflect the heart of the Law and the Prophets. By grasping this connection, we gain a deeper insight into His messages and the purpose behind His coming. Together, we can appreciate the richness of His teachings as they echo God’s initial intentions for humanity.
Matthew 5:17
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” – Matthew 5:17
John 5:39
“You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me.” – John 5:39
Luke 24:27
“And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.” – Luke 24:27
Luke 4:18
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free.” – Luke 4:18
Matthew 22:37-40
“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” – Matthew 22:37-40
Final Thoughts
As we journey through the Old Testament, immersed in the verses about Jesus, we realize how beautifully interconnected God’s Word is. Each prophecy, type, and teaching points to the hope of salvation through Jesus. We should be inspired by the unwavering faith our ancestors had while awaiting the Messiah. Together, we can celebrate how God’s perfect plan unfolded, leading us to the grace we enjoy today.
We are encouraged to share this transformative message with others, making the joy of Jesus known to everyone around us. The truths found in the Old Testament about Jesus challenge us to deepen our faith and walk closely with Him every day.
As we continue to explore God’s love and promises, let us consider learning more about God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit or dive into God’s covenant with His people through Abraham’s Covenant. Our exploration of scripture can bring us closer to understanding the depths of His love.