Christ in the Old Testament

This is a nice sketch of Christ as the Old Testament presented him to the Jewish people. I picked this up somewhere about ten years ago, though I made some improvements here and there. I have no doubt that I could improve it further as I grow in understanding.

In Luke 24, the resurrected Jesus walked along the road to Emmaus with two disciples, who did not recognize him at that point, and "expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself" (Luke 24:27). What he shared with them obviously went well beyond a few Messianic prophesies, such as in Genesis 3 and Psalm 110.

The Hebrew Scriptures continue to show us Christ and the gospel. Paul had the Old Testament in mind when he wrote to Timothy, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine for reproof. for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (II Tim. 3:16).

In Genesis, He is the Creator God, and the promised seed of the woman (3:15).

In Exodus, He is your exodus, your Passover, the bread which comes down from heaven.

In Leviticus, He is the Holy of holies & the mercy seat, your atoning sacrifice & your sanctification.

In Numbers, He is the water of cleansing & the bronze snake who was lifted up for healing.

In Deuteronomy, He is your legal righteousness.

In Joshua, He is the mighty conqueror.

In Judges, He gives victory over enemies.

In Ruth, He is your kinsman-redeemer.

In I Samuel, he is your champion. (ch. 17)

In 2 Samuel, He is great David’s greater son. (ch. 7)

In I & II Kings, He is the faithful & true King (I K. 2:2-4)

In I Chronicles, He is the one whose throne will be established forever. (17)

In II Chronicles, He is the one greater than Solomon

In Ezra, He is the Temple of God, the focus & center of your life.

In Nehemiah, He is your mighty wall of protection.

In Esther, He stands in the gap to deliver you from your enemies.

In Job, He is the arbitrator who removes God’s rod of judgment from you. (9:33-35)

In Psalms, He is the Holy One who will not see decay, the Shepherd who restores your soul.

In Proverbs, He is your wisdom for a disciplined & prudent life. (1:1-3)

In Ecclesiastes, He is the meaning of life, without whom all is vanity & a chasing after the wind.

In the Song of Solomon, He is your beloved, the Church’s bridegroom.

In Isaiah, He is the Prince of Peace, and the Suffering Servant.

In Jeremiah, He is the balm of Gilead (8), the Righteous Branch (23), the new covenant (31)

In Lamentations, He is the Lord’s great faithfulness (3:23).

In Ezekiel, He is life to dead bones, & the glorious new temple.

In Daniel, He is the Son of Man whose kingdom will last forever (7:13-14).

In Hosea, He is your faithful husband who forgives your adultery and redeems you from slavery to sin.

In Joel, He is the name of the Lord on which you call to be saved from judgment on the Day of the Lord.

In Amos, He plants his people and guards them in safety (9:15).

In Obadiah, He is vengeance on God’s enemies but deliverance for Zion.

In Jonah, He is the faithful prophet who brings the word of God’s compassion to the Gentiles.

In Micah, He is the shepherd of his flock & their peace.

In Nahum, He is a refuge to the faithful but an overwhelming flood to the wicked (1:8).

In Habakkuk, He is the Holy One.

In Zephaniah, He is the King of Israel who is with you & takes great delight in you (3:15-17).

In Haggai, He is the greater glory of the temple & the signet ring of God.

In Zechariah, He is the capstone, the plumb line, the gentle king riding on a donkey. 

In Malachi, He is the Lord you are seeking, the messenger of the covenant