Expert: Marvin Howard - 2/18/2004

Question
give me scriptures of Jesus in the O.T.
How it relates to him then and in the future.
or just to the the way it speaks of Him in the O.T. passages.
thanks for your wonderful service.  

Answer
Hi!

Ken, Jesus' existence in the Old Testament is a fascinating study. I am still learning much on this, but will gladly share what I have found.

Of course, the "name" Jesus is not mentioned. There are several prophecies of Him. Also, the New Testament makes a reference back there, claiming it to be Him. This is what I would like to cover first, beginning with the Old Testament Scripture.

Beginning with the first verse in the Bible, Genesis 1:1, we find the first Hebrew rendition, of several, for our word, "God."

'el-o-heem'
Plural of H433; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative: - angels, X exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), X (very) great, judges, X mighty.

This is plural. There are more parts to God than one. This is further evidenced in the creation account of man, Genesis 1:26.

"And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth."

The same word is used, and the translator stresses the plurality by use of the word, "us." So, was one of these creating parts Jesus? Look with me please to the first chapter of John, beginning with verse 1.

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God."

Here we see that the Word was both God, and with God, from the beginning. This alone does not prove it was Jesus, but continuing in the same context, let's look at verse 14.

"And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."

The Word, a part of God, became flesh and dwelt among us. Jesus is the only extra-normal being we find in scripture who became flesh and dwelt among us. Therefore, Jesus is declared to be God, and decalred a present, participating part of the cration.

So, Jesus existed from the beginning. Yet, He was not incarnate (made flesh) until the New Testament. However, the first mention of His interaction with man is found in the first prophecy of His coming in the flesh. Look with me to Genesis 3:15.

"And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel."

Satan came and seperated (caused death) man from God. Adam and Eve died (spiritually) the very day they ate the fruit. God's prohibition was proven accurate in its consequences. So, man needed a redeemer. One was immediately promised.

The second prophecy of His coming is found in the story of Abram (later Abraham), beginning in Genesis 12. Abram's story is too long to post. Suffice it to say, as a whole, all familes of the earth will be blessed by the seed of Abram. We find Jesus as the fulfillment of this in Galatians 3:16.

"Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ."

This seed was in Abram at the time, so we find existence of Jesus, also, at this time. It is just as it was with Eve. Jesus existed in them, and all of the bloodline from Eve through Mary.

There are many other prophecies of a similar nature. But, I would like to bring attention to a more spectacular case. Look with me, please, to Daniel chapter 3, beginning in verse 20.

"And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace. Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. Therefore because the king's commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king. He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God."

This flame was so hot, it killed the people who threw these men into the furnace. They needed protection. As they had faithfully served God, they got it. Notice, Nebuchadnezzar saw what "appeared" to be the Son of God. Much speculation is given to this. It is said that it cannot be Jesus, or it would not be worded that way. I disagree. It was Jesus, but in a still spiritual form, for He had not yet been made flesh. Nebuchadnezzar knew what he was seeing, he just couldn't believe he was seeing it.

I am unsure, from your question, whether you sought prophecies or actual appearances. Both exist; prophecies in far greater number. If you need more, please tell me which you seek. I will be more than happy to respond further.

In His Service,
Marvin Howard
preacherman_1962@yahoo.com
http://www.geocities.com/preacherman_1962