Messiah in Old Testament

While the Old Testament lays the groundwork for the arrival of a Messiah, it doesn't explicitly proclaim Jesus Christ in the way you might be expecting. Instead, it offers a tapestry of prophetic references, foreshadowing, and typology that point towards a future redeemer, and Christians later interpreted these elements as fulfilled in Jesus.

[What’s more, the term Messiah could be interpreted by the Jewish nation as

  1. a person who redeems one by paying off their financial, and other, debts;
  2. a person who comes as a warrior saviour to redeem a family or nation from their enemies. This second interpretation was held by the Jewish nation at the time of Jesus being on the earth, believing a “Mashiach” (Messiah) would come as a warrior to lead Israel to remove the Roman legions from their land. The Israelites of that time did not believe in a messiah who suffered to pay for their sins, but rather an all overcoming messiah who would deliver them from their oppressors.]

Here are some interesting key examples:

Messianic prophecies:

  • Isaiah 7:14: "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Emmanuel." This verse is often seen as foretelling the virgin birth of Jesus.
  • Isaiah 53: This chapter describes a suffering servant who bears the sins of others. Many Christians see this as a prophetic image of Jesus' crucifixion. The Jewish communities do not normally read this chapter.
  • Micah 5:2: "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule over Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days." This verse identifies Bethlehem as the birthplace of the Messiah, which aligns with the gospel accounts of Jesus' birth.

Foreshadowing:

  • King David:  the Old Testament, David is presented as a righteous king and ancestor of the Messiah. Christians see parallels between David's life and Jesus' ministry, such as their roles as shepherd and king.
  • Passover lamb: The sacrifice of the Passover lamb in Exodus prefigures Jesus' sacrifice as the ultimate lamb of God, taking away the sins of the world.
  • Serpent in the wilderness:  bronze serpent lifted up by Moses in the wilderness is seen as a type of Jesus lifted up on the cross, offering healing and salvation.

Typology:

  • Jonah: Jonah's three days spent in the belly of the whale are seen as a foreshadowing of Jesus' burial and resurrection.
  • Joseph: Joseph's betrayal by his brothers and subsequent rise to power in Egypt are seen as parallels to Jesus' rejection by his own people and his ultimate exaltation.

It's important to note that interpreting these Old Testament passages as prophecies about Jesus is a matter of Christian faith and perspective. Other religious traditions interpret these texts differently.

If you're interested in learning more about the relationship between the Old Testament and Jesus, I encourage you to explore these themes further, perhaps through scripture study or conversations with religious scholars of different backgrounds.

Remember, approaching these topics with respect and an open mind can lead to a deeper understanding of faith and the diverse interpretations of sacred texts.

© ta Biblia Books 2024.