An Old Testament Biography of Christ
Phil Grear
Jesus told the religious leaders of His day, “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” (John 5:39) All they had to do to recognize Him as the Messiah was read their own prophets. Consider the following.
Christ came from the seed of Abraham (Genesis 22:18), specifically the tribe of Judah (Genesis 49:10), and was a descendant of the royal family of David (Jeremiah 23:5). He was born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14) in the town of Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). A forerunner prepared the way for His coming. (Malachi 3:1; 4:5) Christ was Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14), and great men bowed before Him. (Psalm 72:10-15). Children were slaughtered in a search to locate and kill Him. (Jeremiah 31:15) He was sent as a deliverer to God’s people (Isaiah 61:1-3 and specifically worked among the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali (Galilee). (Isaiah 9:1-3) He was poor in this world’s goods (Isaiah 53:2) and meek in spirit. (Isaiah 42:1-2) He was compassionate (Isaiah 40:11) and without guile. (Isaiah 53:9) He possessed a great zeal for the House of God. (Psalm 69:9). He taught by parables (Psalm 78:2) and worked miracles. (Isaiah 35:5-6)
He was rejected by His brethren (Psalm 68:9), and hated by the Jews. (Psalm 69:4) The rulers of the day “stumbled” over Him. (Isaiah 8:14). He was betrayed by a friend (Psalm 41:9) and forsaken by His disciples. (Zechariah 13:7). He was sold for thirty pieces of silver, (Zechariah 11:12) which were eventually used to buy a Potter’s field in which to bury strangers. (Zechariah 11:13). In spite of the intensity of His sufferings (Psalm 22:14-15), He remained silent. (Isaiah 53:7) He was scourged and spit upon. (Psalm 35:15)
The rulers of the world conspired against Him to put Him to death (Psalm 2:1-4) by a method that involved the piercing of His hands and feet. (Psalm 22:16). They gave Him gall and vinegar to drink. (Psalm 69:21). He was cruelly mocked (Psalm 22:7-8) and numbered among thieves. (Isaiah 53:12). He was even forsaken by His Father. (Psalm 22:1) Those who killed Him gambled for His clothing. (Psalm 22:18) He did all of this that He might become a curse for us (Psalm 22:6) and bear away our sins. (Isaiah 53:4-6).
His death satisfied the justice of His Father. (Isaiah 53:11). He paid the price for our transgressions and received the punishment we deserve. (Isaiah 53:5) In His death, He made intercession for murders. (Isaiah 53:12) They pierced His body. (Zechariah 12:10), but did not break any bones. (Exodus 12:46) They buried Him among the rich (Isaiah 53:9) but He did not stay in the grave long enough for His body to decay. (Psalm 16:8-10). He rose from the depths the third day. (Jonah 1:17)
He then ascended into the heavens (Daniel 7:13-14) where He became king and priest after the order of Melchizadek. (Psalm 110:4; Zechariah 6:12-13) His kingdom reaches the entire world (Daniel 2:44) and had its beginning in Jerusalem. (Isaiah 2:1-4) It includes the Gentiles. (Isaiah 11:10). His kingdom is symbolized by righteousness. (Isaiah 9:6)
Please notice that not one reference in this article is from the New Testament. These are just a few of the Old Testament prophecies that revealed the biography of Christ in advance. How this should strengthen our faith! Only God could give such detailed prophecy. Truly, the Scriptures do testify of Christ. -2863 East High St., Springfield, OH 45505.