Foretold Messiah 5 Old Testament pointing to John the Baptist and to Immanuel, Jeshua the Christ

The Old Testament (OT), as we have seen in the previous chapters, points ahead to the person God was going to send for bringing an end to the curse of death. From the Hebrew Scriptures we also come to know that this special messenger of God, a prophet, would come to call people to return from their bad way of living and to return to the Only One True God, Who is One.

Hundreds of years before the birth of the Nazarene man Jeshua (Jesus Christ), numerous prophecies concerning him had been given and were preserved in the Hebrew Scriptures (commonly called the Old Testament). Christ’s fulfilment of Old Testament prophecy is often noted by New Testament writers as a demonstration of God’s faithfulness to his promises of salvation and as confirmation of the divine authority of Jesus Christ.

Throughout the ages, we can see that some people do not seem to desire to advance in the knowledge of God. But Jehovah God wants to give everybody the opportunity to get to know Him. For that matter, He sent out many prophets to tell about Him and to warn about future events. It were those Hebrew prophets, chosen ones from God, who also told about some Savour to come. Those leaders for the Chosen people of Israel spoke about signs to come, first so that people would come to know that a saviour would be at hand and secondly that people would come to see that the present sinful world would come to an end, by a great battle destroying the averse world and having the returned Messiah taking his throne in the Kingdom of God.

People got warned they had to look out for the man being called Immanuel.

14 For this, Jehovah he will give to you a sign: Behold, the virgin conceiving, and she will bare a son, and call his name Immanuel.

Smith, J. E. (Vert.). (1876). The Holy Bible: Containing the Old and New Testaments; Translated Literally from the Original Tongues (Js 7:14). Hartford, CT: American Publishing Company.

We are told a child to be born and to grow up, without being contaminated by wrongdoing.

And thou, house of bread, of Ephratah, for being small among the thousands of Judah, out of thee shall come forth to me he being ruler in Israel; and his goings forth from of old from the days of eternity.
2 For this he will give them up even till the time she bearing will bring forth: and the remainder of his brethren shall turn back to the sons of Israel.
3 And he stood and fed in the strength of Jehovah, in the majesty of the name of Jehovah his God; and they shall dwell: for now shall he be magnified to the ends of the earth.

Smith, J. E. (Vert.). (1876). The Holy Bible: Containing the Old and New Testaments; Translated Literally from the Original Tongues (Mi 5:1–3). Hartford, CT: American Publishing Company.

15 Curdled milk and honey he shall eat, for his knowing to reject in evil, and to choose in good.
16 For before the boy shall know to reject in evil and to choose in good the land which thou abhorrest shall be forsaken from the face of its two kings.

Smith, J. E. (Vert.). (1876). The Holy Bible: Containing the Old and New Testaments; Translated Literally from the Original Tongues (Js 7:15–16). Hartford, CT: American Publishing Company.

People could come to recognise him who is presented as a gift to mankind, by putting all ancient prophecy stories together, knowing him also to come from the Tribe of David.

5 For a child was born to us, a son was given to us, and the dominion shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called, Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, everlasting Father, Captain of Peace.
6 To the increase of his dominion and to peace no end, upon the throne of David and upon his kingdom to prepare it and to support it in judgment and in justice from now and even to forever: the zeal of Jehovah of armies will do this.
7 Jehovah sent a word into Jacob, and it fell upon Israel.

Smith, J. E. (Vert.). (1876). The Holy Bible: Containing the Old and New Testaments; Translated Literally from the Original Tongues (Js 9:5–7). Hartford, CT: American Publishing Company.

The Old Testament (OT) passages (Mal. 3:1 and Isa. 40:3) are furnished to show that John the Baptist and Jesus are to be understood in the context of the prophecies regarded by ancient Jews and Christians as Holy (or set-apart) Scriptures and divine revelation of God’s purposes. That is, in the writer’s view, neither Jesus nor John appeared “out of the blue” but, rather, as a fulfilment of God’s plan of redemption. This attitude, that the OT is a record of God’s work and plan and that Jesus must be interpreted as fulfilment of the work and word of God in the OT, is reflected throughout the New Testament (NT) writings and received continuing expression as the church used the OT writings as Scripture in its subsequent history. This view is, of course, formally reflected in the inclusion of the OT as part of the Christian Bible – a decision still accepted by all the major branches of Christianity today.

Behold me sending my messenger, and he looked upon the way before my face: and suddenly Jehovah whom ye seek shall come to his temple, and the messenger of the covenant whom ye delight in: behold him coming, said Jehovah of armies.

Smith, J. E. (Vert.). (1876). The Holy Bible: Containing the Old and New Testaments; Translated Literally from the Original Tongues (Mal 3:1). Hartford, CT: American Publishing Company.

3 The voice of him calling in the desert, Prepare ye the way of Jehovah, make straight in the sterile region a highway for our God.
4 Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the acclivity was for evenness, and the mountain ranges for a valley:

Smith, J. E. (Vert.). (1876). The Holy Bible: Containing the Old and New Testaments; Translated Literally from the Original Tongues (Js 40:3–4). Hartford, CT: American Publishing Company.

At the same time, there was spoken about another man who would prepare the way for the chosen one from God who would show the people the right path to the Kingdom of God. The voice of one calling out in the wilderness was pointing to John the Baptist. He announced that soon there would come someone more important than him, to prepare the way to the Elohim. That man of flesh and blood would take away the stumbling block for mankind and liberate them of the chains of death.

14 And he shall say, Lift ye up, lift ye up; clear the way, take up the stumbling block out of the way of my people.

Smith, J. E. (Vert.). (1876). The Holy Bible: Containing the Old and New Testaments; Translated Literally from the Original Tongues (Js 57:14). Hartford, CT: American Publishing Company.

The apostle Matthew when he wrote his gospel had become totally convinced that John the Baptist and the Nazarene rabbi Jeshua were the ones spoken from old.

In these days John the Baptist is present, proclaiming in the desert of Judea;
2 And saying, Repent, for the kingdom of the heavens has drawn near.
3 For this is he spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, A voice of him crying in the desert, Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.

Smith, J. E. (Vert.). (1876). The Holy Bible: Containing the Old and New Testaments; Translated Literally from the Original Tongues (Mt 3:1–3). Hartford, CT: American Publishing Company.

The other disciples, like Mark, Luke and  John were also convinced that in the scrolls was spoken about those who they knew and met in their lifetime.

2 As it has been written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, who shall prepare thy way before thee.
3 A voice of him crying in the desert, Prepare ye the way of the Lord; make his beaten paths straight.

Smith, J. E. (Vert.). (1876). The Holy Bible: Containing the Old and New Testaments; Translated Literally from the Original Tongues (Mc 1:2–3). Hartford, CT: American Publishing Company.

2 Upon Annas and Caiaphas being chief priests, the word of God was upon John, son of Zacharias in the desert.
3 And he came into all the country round about Jordan, proclaiming the immersion of repentance for remission of sins;
4 As it has been written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, A voice of him crying in the desert, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his footpaths straight.
5 Every ravine shall be filled up, and every mount and hill shall be lowered; and the crooked shall be into straightness, and the rough into smooth ways.
6 And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.

Smith, J. E. (Vert.). (1876). The Holy Bible: Containing the Old and New Testaments; Translated Literally from the Original Tongues (Lc 3:2–6). Hartford, CT: American Publishing Company.

6 A man was sent from God, the name to him John.
7 This came for testimony, that he might testify concerning the Light, that all might believe through him.
8 He was not that Light, but that he might testify for the Light.

Smith, J. E. (Vert.). (1876). The Holy Bible: Containing the Old and New Testaments; Translated Literally from the Original Tongues (Joh 1:6–8). Hartford, CT: American Publishing Company.

14 And the Word was flesh, and dwelt with us, (and we beheld his glory, as the glory of the only born of the father,) full of grace and truth.
15 John testifies for him, and he cried, saying, This was he of whom I said, He coming after me was before me: for he was before me.
16 And of his completion we all received, and grace for grace.
17 For the law was given by Moses; grace and truth were by Jesus Christ.

Smith, J. E. (Vert.). (1876). The Holy Bible: Containing the Old and New Testaments; Translated Literally from the Original Tongues (Joh 1:14–17). Hartford, CT: American Publishing Company.

Many people knew that it very well could be in their time that the Messiah would come and were curious if perhaps John was the man spoken of. Under inspiration, John applied Isaiah’s words about the voice in the wilderness to himself.

19 And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem that they might ask him, Who art thou?
20 And he acknowledged, and denied not; and he acknowledged, That I am not the Christ.
21 And they asked, What then? Art thou Elias? And he says, I am not. Art thou a prophet? And he answered, No.
22 Then said they to him, Who art thou? that we might give answer to them having sent us. What sayest thou for thyself?
23 He said, I the voice of him crying in the desert, Make ye straight the way of the Lord, as said Esaias the prophet.
24 And they having been sent were of the Pharisees.
25 And they asked him, and said to him, Why immersest thou then, if thou art not Christ, neither Elias, neither a prophet?
26 John answered them saying, I immerse in water: but he stands the midst of you, whom ye know not;
27 This is he coming after me, who was before me, of whom I am not worthy that I might loose the strings of his shoes.
28 These things were in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was immersing.

Smith, J. E. (Vert.). (1876). The Holy Bible: Containing the Old and New Testaments; Translated Literally from the Original Tongues (Joh 1:19–28). Hartford, CT: American Publishing Company.

Several events would take place before the apostles came to see more and more how what happened with their master was in agreement with what was told in the ancient prophecies. For many, the entrance in Jerusalem should have been a final clear sign.

9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; make a loud noise, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy king shall come to thee: just, and saying; he is humble and riding upon an ass, and upon an ass’s colt the son of asses.

Smith, J. E. (Vert.). (1876). The Holy Bible: Containing the Old and New Testaments; Translated Literally from the Original Tongues (Zach 9:9). Hartford, CT: American Publishing Company.

Many had been looking for the one shoot who would come out from the stump (Choter) of Jesse, and the branch (mig·Ge·za / Netzar) which will bear fruit out of his roots, [(Jer 23:5; 33:15; Zech 3:8; 6:12, Ezra 3:8) which give as Moshiach’s Namesake Yahushua/Yehoshua/Yeshua or Jeshua; compare Mt.2:23] shall bear fruit of his roots:.

5 Behold the days coming, says Jehovah, and I raised up to David a just sprout, and a king reigned and prospered, and he did judgment and justice in the earth.
6 In his days shall Judah be saved, and Israel shall dwell with confidence: and this his name which he shall be called: Jehovah Our Justice.

Smith, J. E. (Vert.). (1876). The Holy Bible: Containing the Old and New Testaments; Translated Literally from the Original Tongues (Jr 23:5–6). Hartford, CT: American Publishing Company.

And a rod shall come forth from the stock of Jesse, and a sprout shall blossom from his roots:
2 And the spirit of Jehovah resting upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and strength, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of Jehovah:
3 His sweet odor in the fear of Jehovah: and not according to the seeing of his eyes shall he judge, and not according to the hearing of his ears shall he decide.
4 And he judged the powerless with justice, and he decided in straightness for the humble of the earth: and he struck the earth with the rod of his mouth, and by the spirit of his lips he will slay the unjust.
5 And justice was the girding of his loins, and truth the girding of his loins.

Smith, J. E. (Vert.). (1876). The Holy Bible: Containing the Old and New Testaments; Translated Literally from the Original Tongues (Js 11:1–5). Hartford, CT: American Publishing Company.

14 Behold, the days coming, says Jehovah, and I raised up the good word which I spake to the house of Israel and for the house of Judah.
15 In those days and in that time I will cause the sprout of justice to spring up to David; and he did judgment and justice in the land.
16 In those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell with confidence; and this is what shall be called to her: Jehovah our Justice.
17 For thus said Jehovah, I will not cut off to David a man sitting upon the throne of the house of Israel;
18 And to the priests, the Levites, I will not cut off a man from my face bringing up burnt-offerings, and burning the gift, and doing sacrifice all the days.
19 And the word of Jehovah will be to Jeremiah, saying,
20 Thus said Jehovah, ….

Smith, J. E. (Vert.). (1876). The Holy Bible: Containing the Old and New Testaments; Translated Literally from the Original Tongues (Jr 33:14–20). Hartford, CT: American Publishing Company.

And thou, house of bread, of Ephratah, for being small among the thousands of Judah, out of thee shall come forth to me he being ruler in Israel; and his goings forth from of old from the days of eternity.
2 For this he will give them up even till the time she bearing will bring forth: and the remainder of his brethren shall turn back to the sons of Israel.

Smith, J. E. (Vert.). (1876). The Holy Bible: Containing the Old and New Testaments; Translated Literally from the Original Tongues (Mi 5:1–2). Hartford, CT: American Publishing Company.

8 Hear now, O Joshua the great priest, thou and thy friends sitting before thee, for they are men of wonder: for behold me bringing my servant the Sprout.

Smith, J. E. (Vert.). (1876). The Holy Bible: Containing the Old and New Testaments; Translated Literally from the Original Tongues (Zach 3:8). Hartford, CT: American Publishing Company.

12 And say to him, saying, Thus said Jehovah of armies, saying, Behold the man, The Sprout his name; and he shall spring forth from his place and build the temple of Jehovah.
13 And he shall build the temple of Jehovah; and he shall lift up the majesty, and he sat and ruled upon his throne: and he was priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them two.

Smith, J. E. (Vert.). (1876). The Holy Bible: Containing the Old and New Testaments; Translated Literally from the Original Tongues (Zach 6:12–13). Hartford, CT: American Publishing Company.

For those living at the time after the death of Christ, other writings should pull the attention and should make it clear that this man who was betrayed, nailed at the stake and after him being laid in a grave having risen, is that one spoken of in the OT.

23 In the beginning of thy supplications the word came forth, and I came to announce; for thou art desires: and understand thou in the word, and consider in the sight.
24 Seventy seventy were divided upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to close the transgression, and to seal up sins, and to expiate iniquity, and to bring in eternal justice, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the holy of holies.
25 And thou shalt know and understand, from the going forth of the word to turn back and to build Jerusalem even to Messiah the leader, seventy weeks, and sixty and two weeks: and the street shall turn back and be built, and the ditch, in the trouble of the times.
26 And after sixty and two weeks, Messiah shall be cut off, and not for him: and the people of the leader coming shall destroy the city and the holy place; and its end with an overflowing, and even to the end of the war desolations were determined.
27 And he made strong the covenant to many one week: and half the week he shall cause the sacrifice and gift to cease, and upon the wing of abominations laying waste, even to the completion, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolation.

Smith, J. E. (Vert.). (1876). The Holy Bible: Containing the Old and New Testaments; Translated Literally from the Original Tongues (Da 9:23–27). Hartford, CT: American Publishing Company.

10 The rod shall not depart from Judah, and a leader from between his feet, till that Shiloh shall come: and to him the obedience of the nations.
11 Binding his colt to the vine, and to the purple vine the son of the she-ass; he washed in wine his garment, and his clothing in the blood of grapes.
12 The eyes flashing from wine, the teeth white from milk.

Smith, J. E. (Vert.). (1876). The Holy Bible: Containing the Old and New Testaments; Translated Literally from the Original Tongues (Gn 49:10–12). Hartford, CT: American Publishing Company.

10 And I will take my rod Beauty, and I will cut it off, to break my covenant which I cut out with all the peoples.
11 And it shall be broken in that day: and the poor of the flock watching me knew that it was the word of Jehovah.
12 And saying to them, If good in your eyes, give ye my hire; and if not, desist. And they will weigh my hire, thirty of silver.
13 And Jehovah will say to me, Cast it to the potter: a splendor of price which I was prized of them. And I shall take the thirty of silver and cast it in the house of Jehovah, to the potter.
14 And I shall cut off my second rod, Cords, to break the brotherhood between Judah and between Israel.
15 And Jehovah will say to me, Yet take to thee the vessels of a foolish shepherd.
16 For behold, I raise up a shepherd in the land, he shall not review those being concealed; the youth he shall not seek, and he shall not heal the broken, and he shall not nourish the standing firmly: and he shall eat the flesh of the fatling, and he shall break their hoofs.
17 Wo! to the empty shepherd forsaking the sheep; the sword upon his arm, and upon his right eye: and his arm being dried up, shall be dried up, and his right eye being dim, shall be dim.

Smith, J. E. (Vert.). (1876). The Holy Bible: Containing the Old and New Testaments; Translated Literally from the Original Tongues (Zach 11:10–17). Hartford, CT: American Publishing Company.

6 My back I gave to those smiting, and my cheeks to those tearing out the hair: and my face I hid not from shame and spittle.

Smith, J. E. (Vert.). (1876). The Holy Bible: Containing the Old and New Testaments; Translated Literally from the Original Tongues (Js 50:6). Hartford, CT: American Publishing Company.

7 And I a worm and not a man; a reproach of man, and the people despised me.
8 All seeing me will deride me: they will gape with the lip, they will shake the head.
9 He rolled upon Jehovah, he will deliver him: he will deliver him for he delighted in him.

Smith, J. E. (Vert.). (1876). The Holy Bible: Containing the Old and New Testaments; Translated Literally from the Original Tongues (Ps 22:7–9). Hartford, CT: American Publishing Company.

21 He watched all his bones: one of them was not broken.

Smith, J. E. (Vert.). (1876). The Holy Bible: Containing the Old and New Testaments; Translated Literally from the Original Tongues (Ps 34:21). Hartford, CT: American Publishing Company.

From birth to death, Jesus fulfilled numerous prophecies recorded in the Hebrew Scriptures.

 

The spirit of the Lord Jehovah is upon me; because Jehovah anointed me to announce good news to the afflicted, he sent me to bind up to the broken of heart, to call freedom to the captives, and the opening of the prison to the bound.
2 To call the year of acceptance to Jehovah, and the day of vengeance to our God; to comfort all those mourning;

Smith, J. E. (Vert.). (1876). The Holy Bible: Containing the Old and New Testaments; Translated Literally from the Original Tongues (Js 61:1–2). Hartford, CT: American Publishing Company.

17 And the book of Esaias the prophet was given to him. And having unfolded the book, he found the place where it was written,
18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for which he anointed me to announce good news to the poor; he has sent me to heal the broken in heart, to proclaim a remission to the captives, and a recovery of sight to the blind, to send away with remission the bruised,
19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.
20 And having folded the book and given back to the servant, he sat down. And the eyes of all in the assembly were looking attentively upon him.
21 And he began to say to them, That this day has this writing been filled up in your ears.
22 And all bore him testimony and wondered at the words of grace going out of his mouth: and said, Is not this the son of Joseph?
23 And he said to them, Directly will ye say to me this proverb, Physician, cure thyself: what things we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy country.
24 And he said, Truly I say to you, That not any prophet is accepted in his country.

Smith, J. E. (Vert.). (1876). The Holy Bible: Containing the Old and New Testaments; Translated Literally from the Original Tongues (Lc 4:17–24). Hartford, CT: American Publishing Company.

13 And having left Nazareth behind, having come, he dwelt in Capernaum, near the sea, in the boundaries of Zabulon and Nephthalim:
14 That it might be completed having been spoken through Esaias the prophet, saying,
15 The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, the way of the sea beyond Jordan, Galilee of the nations:
16 The people sitting in darkness saw a great light; and to them sitting in the room and shadow of death, light has sprung up to them.
17 From then Jesus began to proclaim, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of the heavens has drawn near.

Smith, J. E. (Vert.). (1876). The Holy Bible: Containing the Old and New Testaments; Translated Literally from the Original Tongues (Mt 4:13–17). Hartford, CT: American Publishing Company.

Looking at the New Testament we shall come to see there are many more phrases which refer to what prophets said in the ancient days and words of Jesus which have to remind us about what is said in the OT for what is going to happen in the future, when the sings of the last days would be at hand. (When presenting the writings from Jesus’ disciples we shall discuss such referrals.)

Even today we see that lots of people still reject this given man of God, who has become the cornerstone of a (re)new(ed) people of God.

22 The stone the builders refused will be for the head of the corner.

Smith, J. E. (Vert.). (1876). The Holy Bible: Containing the Old and New Testaments; Translated Literally from the Original Tongues (Ps 118:22). Hartford, CT: American Publishing Company.

10 Also the man of my peace whom I trusted in him, eating my bread, magnified the heel against me.

Smith, J. E. (Vert.). (1876). The Holy Bible: Containing the Old and New Testaments; Translated Literally from the Original Tongues (Ps 41:10). Hartford, CT: American Publishing Company.

18 I say not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the writing might be completed, He chewing bread with me lifted up his heel against me.

Smith, J. E. (Vert.). (1876). The Holy Bible: Containing the Old and New Testaments; Translated Literally from the Original Tongues (Joh 13:18). Hartford, CT: American Publishing Company.

42 Jesus says to them, Have ye never read in the writings, The stone which the builders disapproved of, this was for the head of the corner? This was from the Lord, and it was wonderful in your eyes.

Smith, J. E. (Vert.). (1876). The Holy Bible: Containing the Old and New Testaments; Translated Literally from the Original Tongues (Mt 21:42). Hartford, CT: American Publishing Company.

10 And have ye not read this writing; The stone which the builders disapproved of, this was for the head of the corner:
11 This was of the Lord, and is wonderful in our eyes?

Smith, J. E. (Vert.). (1876). The Holy Bible: Containing the Old and New Testaments; Translated Literally from the Original Tongues (Mc 12:10–11). Hartford, CT: American Publishing Company.

17 And having looked upon them, he said, What then is this written, The stone which the builders disapproved of, this has been for the head of the corner?
18 Every one having fallen upon that stone shall be crushed, and upon whomsoever it should fall, it shall winnow him.

Smith, J. E. (Vert.). (1876). The Holy Bible: Containing the Old and New Testaments; Translated Literally from the Original Tongues (Lc 20:17–18). Hartford, CT: American Publishing Company.

Like in old times, today as in the time of Jesus, many won’t see nor hear as is written in the OT.

9 And he will say, Go, and say to this people, Hearing, hear ye, and ye shall not understand; and seeing, see ye, and ye shall not know.
10 Make the heart of this people fat and their ears heavy, and blind their eyes, lest they shall see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and their heart shall understand and turn back and be healed to them.

Smith, J. E. (Vert.). (1876). The Holy Bible: Containing the Old and New Testaments; Translated Literally from the Original Tongues (Js 6:9–10). Hartford, CT: American Publishing Company.

13 For this I speak to them in parables: for seeing they see not, and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.
14 And the prophecy of Esaias is filled up in them, saying, In hearing shall ye hear, and not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive.
15 For the heart of this people has been thickened, and with their ears have they heard heavily, and their eyes have they closed; lest perhaps they should see with the eyes, and hear with the ears, and understand with the heart, and turn back, and I should heal them.

Smith, J. E. (Vert.). (1876). The Holy Bible: Containing the Old and New Testaments; Translated Literally from the Original Tongues (Mt 13:13–15). Hartford, CT: American Publishing Company.

The early Christians not only saw Jesus prefigured in certain OT prophecies of a coming redemption, but in addition, they regarded Jesus as the culmination of all God had done in the OT. In this sense, virtually everything in the OT seemed to have anticipated and pre–figured Jesus and thus gained its “fulfilment” in him.

What Jesus said and did, fulfiled many of the Hebrew Scripture prophecies. When we see how all those prophesies became fulfiled, we should understand that behind all those words written in those scrolls was a Particular Hand, mightier than any human being. As such we should be convinced that the “Old Testament,” had been given to the nation of Israel by God through the inspiration of his servants, and that his greatest servant is that Immanuel, God with us, Jeshua the promised Messiah (Jesus Christ).

The fulfilment of these above-mentioned prophecies and other prophecies proves that Jesus was the Saviour sent by God. In the Bible, the Old and New Testament, we have “all the counsel” or “the whole purpose (will) of God” for everyone to read. (Acts 20:27)

27 For I concealed not to announce to you all the counsel of God.

Smith, J. E. (Vert.). (1876). The Holy Bible: Containing the Old and New Testaments; Translated Literally from the Original Tongues (Hnd 20:27). Hartford, CT: American Publishing Company.

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Preceding

Out of the seed of Eve

Foretold Messiah 1 First mentioning

Foretold Messiah 2 a Voice giving The Word to His servants

Foretold Messiah 3 Bruised one to be taken into heaven as a servant and son of God

Foretold Messiah 4 From the seed of Noah and Abraham

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Additional reading

  1. Seeing or not seeing and willingness to find God
  2. With child and righteousness greater than the law
  3. Not about personal salvation but about a bigger Plan
  4. Man’s own fault and the choice to flee from fear

Not trying to make the heathen live like Jews #1

Man living in Garden of Eden in Days of God

At a certain time in history of the universe the Divine Creator made “from the dust of the ground” a human being. Just with dust man would be nothing so there had to be a spark or something special to bring the material to live. The “essence” of the being for man came  from God Who is the “Supreme Being” Itself.

Michelangelo's painting of the sin of Adam and...
Michelangelo’s painting of the sin of Adam and Eve (the Fall of Man) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Eternal Spirit Who Is Who He is the Being in Itself made man in His own image by His Voice and by “a spark”, or particle, scintillated from His Divine Nature, giving the being life, having intelligent faculty and existence independently of the substantial organism with which it is associated.

Man felt lonely and got a partner, a mannin or woman, called Eve. Together they could sojourn freely in the Garden of Eden. In essence they where good and had the free will to stay good, by keeping to the ordinances of their heavenly Father.

Seventh day Day of rest for God

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c4/Merneptah_Israel_Stele_Cairo.JPG/300px-Merneptah_Israel_Stele_Cairo.JPG
The Merneptah stele. While alternative translations exist, the majority of biblical archaeologists translate a set of hieroglyphs as “Israel“, representing the first instance of the name Israel in the historical record.

They too came to understand the days of God and how they should honour Him and respect His creation. For them the seventh day was also a day of rest where they could show how much they loved their Creator. We do not know whether the earth’s first population organised themselves by means of a seven day week. Whereas other periods of time or various calender units based on the time the earth takes to revolve once around the sun (the day, month and year) are based upon observable movements of stars and planets, the seven day week has no such basis-that can be found only in the explanation in Genesis. As the time passed days, month and years got names. A Rosh Chodashim (head of the months) came to exist next to a month of the salvation or Chodesh ha Yeshuah,  a month of redemption or Chodesh hageulah, a year of recompense and many others.

From beginning the stars, planets and man’s being may have been very complex and not understandable for man. Darkness and light made a difference for him giving him an idea of a time element. But the things man did not know seemed to worry them. Also the matter that That Holy Spirit they could not be seen made their mind weary. They started wondering how This Spirit could order days and demand them to take rest or have  period of inactivity, relaxation, or sleep, on a certain day and not to eat from a certain fruit-tree, calling it the Tree of knowledge of good and evil, which was going to bring life and death over man.

Organisation of days and food provision

In case man had decided to organise his living according to periods of seven days nowhere can we find proof that God said they would be punished for not resting on the seventh day. They had total freedom of choice about this. In fact, God gave no instructions about how the seventh day should be spent until after the nation of Israel had been brought out of Egypt (the Shemoth) and led miraculously through the Red Sea into the wilderness of Sinai. Being a large community, they needed a good and regular supply of food and water, but in desert conditions these were very scarce. The people soon complained, and wished they were back in Egypt. A further miracle brought them their food. Each morning around their camp

“there was on the face of the wilderness a fine, flake-like thing, fine as the hoarfrost on the ground” (Exodus 16:14).

The food was called “manna“, and could be collected for six days each week.

This was literally food which could be eaten. On the first five days each week any manna not eaten that day, but kept overnight “bred worms, and became foul”.
On the sixth day, if a double portion was collected, it would keep fresh for use on the seventh day when no manna was available. Moses asked them to eat that manna that day for that seventh day is a Sabbath to Jehovah God. Therefore they could not find any manna in the field. Take attention that Moshe or Moses says it was a ‘day of rest for Jehovah’ and not ‘day of rest for man’.
In this way the pattern of work and rest was enforced for the nation of Israel:

Exodus 16:25-26 NHEBJE  Moses said, “Eat that today, for today is a Sabbath to Jehovah. Today you shall not find it in the field.  (26)  Six days you shall gather it, but on the seventh day is the Sabbath. In it there shall be none.”

Six days of gathering and one day of rest: God’s activity in Creation thus became the example for His nation. For the first time in the Bible, the word “Sabbath” is used. It means simply ‘to cease‘ ( to bring or come to an end), and is used to describe the day when the manna discontinued falling down from heaven and the Israelites rested from their labours, as God had from His.

Laws to control the activity of the nation

In those days of Moses and his people shortly after the manna was first provided, it also was the moment in time that God gave through Moses laws to control the activity of the nation. Today those written rules are mostly known as the Ten Commandments by which people where told to have only One True Eternal Spirit God of Whom no graven images where to be made. Of the people was also demanded in the fourth commandment to remember the Sabbath day and to keep it holy or sanctified, which means to have it been kept apart, not being it the same as other days. Also it was told they could work six days but the seventh day they should take a Sabbath to the Lord their God. In it they had not to do any work .

Exodus 20:8-12 NHEBJE  “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.  (9)  You shall labor six days, and do all your work,  (10)  but the seventh day is a Sabbath to Jehovah your God. You shall not do any work in it, you, nor your son, nor your daughter, your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your livestock, nor your stranger who is within your gates;  (11)  for in six days Jehovah made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day; therefore Jehovah blessed the Sabbath day, and made it holy.  (12)  “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which Jehovah your God gives you.

As for the manna, so for all of Israel’s activities the pattern would be six days of labour followed by one day of rest. We may not forget for man to be able to stay alive he had to work hard. Everything had to be done by hand. Labour was at first not a  physical toil done for wages, but was a necessary act for providing food. In the early days in the Garden of Eden there did not exist a difficult or arduous work or effort. they had not to strive or work hard for something, but when then opposed God, Adam and Eve had been disobedient to God‘s commandments, Jehovah sentenced them and their descendants to hard toil in order to produce their necessary food.

We also can find the Psalmist referring to such work which was done until the evening (Psalm 104:23). From the fall of man onwards the daily work he had to do became a constant reminder of his mortality; the certainty that he is “dust, and to dust (he) shall return” (Genesis 3:19).

Significance of introduction of Sabbath commands

God’s people experienced many wonders by God and by them they could survive. God freely provided their daily food, but they had to work to gather it, except on the seventh day. The difficulty of walking through the dessert and gathering food was to make them conscience of the punishments brought upon the world as a result of Adam‘s disobedience.

The day they had not to gather the food from heaven, they had to remember what they had received the previous days. That day of not to provide for their food they could contemplate and take more time to think about God. That day of rest, on the Sabbath, would give man time to meditate on God’s works and to let him identify himself with God, and with the completion of His creation, when He was able to review

“everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good” (Genesis 1:31).

Measures to bring man back to God

Though man could see all the wonders of God and they had received brains to create things themselves as well, they wanted more. God had given their mind to think and to make their own decisions. At one point in time they choose to go their own way, against the Will of God, and throughout history many times they went astray, but God always came back to them to help them out.

It was from that moment when Adam and Eve had revolted against their Maker that God had to take measures to bring them back to their senses and back to Almighty God, the Most High.

When Adam and Eve where expelled from the Garden of Eden and had created a family, their descendants also could not always follow the Way of God, wherefore the Elohim gave them more rules and regulations so that they could keep themselves on the safe path.

Man choose to create their own regulations and wanted to create their own calendars and wanted to say what to do what they ever wanted on whatever day. But for God not all actions of man were acceptable. He clearly told them what would be appropriate for man to do and what would be an abomination in the eyes of God.

Showing willingness to come to God

Throughout the ages lots went wrong and often God came back into the picture to guide His people back onto the right track. Already from the beginning of the fall of man God provided a solution for their sin, but first they also had to show they where willing to come to God again. Every individual has now the own choice to choose either to be for God or against Him, to follow His ordinances or to refuse the right to God to demand certain things from man.

In later writings we shall come to see how the promises of God for the solution against the fall of man became a reality which took away the many chains the people had gotten over them by the years.

In subsequent readings you shall, hopefully, come to see how a Nazarene man, called Jeshua, today better known as Jesus became the man who brought salvation and who is the embodiment of Israel. Those who follow that Nazarene man and call themselves Christian should know who that man is and what his teachings are, but also keep to his teachings, so that they can be part of the Body of Christ and be part of the (new or renewed) true and faithful Israel.

Finding difficulties to keep to God’s Laws

It took many centuries but God’s people Israel bounded to the Mosaic Laws often found it a burden, therefore the loving God foresaw also an abrogation of many laws. Jesus namely was to come to install the New Covenant between God and man, which would do away with, or annul, especially by authority given to Christ Jesus, several Judaic Laws.

Those who would embrace the faith of Abraham could make their choice for God sealed, not by worldly proofs, but by spiritual proofs. They would not have to have a real body circumcision but should be circumcised by putting on Christ in baptism, thus partaking imputatively of the literal circumcision of which Christ was subject under the law, becoming the children of Abraham, and heirs of the promises made to him.

Bartolomeo Montagna - Saint Paul - Google Art Project.jpg
Saul of Tarsus was called by Christ and became an apostle who taught the gospel of Christ and founded several churches in Asia Minor and Europe in the first-century world of the common era.

The Jew Saul of Tarsus took some time to come to understand God’s new ordinances but by the new light having come he made a testimony that we can face a world where there is neither Jew (believing descendant from Abraham’s tribe) nor Greek, Roman, or Goyim (gentile; a non-Jewish person or an unbeliever), but that all have the free choice to go their way. There would neither be a servant nor freeman, neither male nor female, or no distinction in the eyes of God, all being made equal and all having to make their own choice. And those baptised into Christ should all be one in Christ Jesus, liberated by him.

Galatians 3:27-29 NHEBJE  (27)  For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.  (28)  There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.  (29)  If you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to promise.

Children of promise made free

United in Christ Christians should not be barren any more having broken forth knowing they are brethren and sisters and as Isaac was, being children of promise.  Though still being born according to the flesh the mind we received can be used to come to knowledge and with the right insight making us to make the right choices. Those who choose to follow Christ Jesus are children of the free: by the freedom wherewith Christ has made us free.

Galatians 4:27-31 NHEBJE  (27)  For it is written, “Rejoice, you barren who do not bear. Break forth and shout, you that do not travail. For more are the children of the desolate than of her who has a husband.”  (28)  Now you, brothers, as Isaac was, are children of promise.  (29)  But as then, he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now.  (30)  However what does the Scripture say? “Throw out the handmaid and her son, for the son of the handmaid will not inherit with the son of the free woman.”  (31)  So then, brothers, we are not children of a handmaid, but of the free woman.

Those liberated by Christ should not take up the old burdens but should face the Saviour Jesus who is the new Genesis (New World), by who’s life we can see the embodiment of the new Exodus.

We should come to see that Jesus is fulfilling Israel’s history and  bringing it to a climax.

 

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Preceding articles:

Genesis – Story of creation 6 Genesis 3:13-24 Enmity and curse

Creation of the earth and man #3 Of the Sabbath day #1 the Seventh day

Creation of the earth and man #4 Of the Sabbath day #2 Days 1,7,8 and 50

Creation of the earth and man #5 Of the Sabbath day #3 Ceasing from the works of the flesh

Creation of the earth and man #6 Of the Sabbath day #4 Mosaic codes, Sabbaths and Sunday

Creation of the earth and man #7 Of the Sabbath day #5 Respecting the day on which Christ Jesus rose from the dead

Creation of the earth and man #8 Of the Sabbath day #6 If it be necessary to keep Sunday

Were Gentiles excluded from entering the synagogue?

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Additional reading

  1. “Before” and “after” the Big Bang
  2. Science, belief, denial and visibility 1
  3. God giving signs and producing wonders
  4. What is life?
  5. Dying or not
  6. Possibility to live
  7. Blindness in the Christian world
  8. A learning process for each of us
  9. Creator and Blogger God 3 Lesson and solution
  10. People Seeking for God 7 The Lord and lords
  11. A prophet to restore
  12. Story of Jesus’ birth begins long before the New Testament
  13. With child and righteousness greater than the law
  14. Entrance of a king to question our position #2 Who do we want to see and to be
  15. Marriage of Jesus 8 Wife of Yahweh
  16. Marriage of Jesus 10 Old and New Covenant
  17. Hosea Say What?
  18. Born to Shine not to fear!
  19. Commemorating the escape from slavery
  20. Days of Nisan, Pesach, Pasach, Pascha and Easter
  21. Do we need to keep the Sabbath
  22. Vayikra after its opening word וַיִּקְרָא, which means and He called
  23. In case you find contradiction between Old and New Testament
  24. Together tasting a great promise
  25. Deliverance and establishment of a theocracy
  26. Glory of God appearing in our character – The Face of Moses and Law on Tablets of stone
  27. Atonement And Fellowship 6/8
  28. The Law of Christ: Law of Love

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Further related reading:

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Creation of the earth and man #5 Of the Sabbath day #3 Ceasing from the works of the flesh

Samaritans atop Mount Gerizim in 2006.
Samaritans atop Mount Gerizim in 2006. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The law of Moses was delivered to the Israelites and not to the Gentiles, who were therefore “without the law”. “What things soever the law saith, it says it to them who are under the law”; consequently the nations were not amenable to it; and though they obtained not the blessings of Mount Gerizim (unless they became faithful Jews by adoption), neither were they obnoxious to the curses of Mount Ebal.

Deu 27:9-26 The Scriptures 1998+  (9)  And Mosheh and the priests, the Lĕwites, spoke to all Yisra’ĕl, saying, “Be silent and hear, O Yisra’ĕl: This day you have become the people of יהוה  {Jehovah} your Elohim,  (10)  and you shall obey the voice of יהוה  {Jehovah} your Elohim, and do His commands and His laws which I command you today.”  (11)  And Mosheh commanded the people on that day, saying,  (12)  “These are to stand on Mount Gerizim to bless the people, when you have passed over the Yardĕn: Shimʽon, and Lĕwi, and Yehuḏah, and Yissasḵar, and Yosĕph, and Binyamin.  (13)  “And these are to stand on Mount  Ěyḇal to curse: Re’uḇĕn, Gaḏ, and Ashĕr, and Zeḇulun, Dan, and Naphtali.  (14)  “And the Lĕwites shall speak with a loud voice and say to all the men of Yisra’ĕl:  (15)  ‘Cursed is the man who makes a carved or moulded image, an abomination to יהוה  {Jehovah}, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and sets it up in secret.’ And all the people shall answer and say, ‘Amĕn!’  (16)  ‘Cursed is he who makes light of his father or his mother.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amĕn!’  (17)  ‘Cursed is he who moves his neighbour’s boundary.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amĕn!’  (18)  ‘Cursed is he who misleads the blind in the way.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amĕn!’  (19)  ‘Cursed is he who twists the right-ruling of the stranger, the fatherless, and widow.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amĕn!’  (20)  ‘Cursed is he who lies with his father’s wife, because he has uncovered his father’s bed.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amĕn!’  (21)  ‘Cursed is he who lies with any beast.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amĕn!’  (22)  ‘Cursed is he who lies with his sister, the daughter of his father or the daughter of his mother.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amĕn!’  (23)  ‘Cursed is he who lies with his mother-in-law.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amĕn!’  (24)  ‘Cursed is he who smites his neighbour secretly.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amĕn!’  (25)  ‘Cursed is he who takes a bribe to slay an innocent being.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amĕn!’  (26)  ‘Cursed is he who does not establish the Words of this Torah.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amĕn!’

The faithless Jews and Gentiles are equally aliens from the precepts of Christ and his apostles. What these prescribe is enjoined upon the disciples of Jesus. They only are “under law to Christ”.

“What have I”

says Paul,

“to do to judge them that are without? God judgeth them.” (1 Corinthians 5:12, 13.)

He has caused the gospel of the kingdom to be preached to sinners “for the obedience of faith”. When they are judged, it will be for “not obeying the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ”, (Thessalonians 1:7–10.) and not because they do not “go to church”, or do not keep a sabbath instituted by a semi-pagan emperor of the fourth century.

2Th 1:7-10 The Scriptures 1998+  (7)  and to give you who are afflicted rest with us when the Master יהושע  {Jehsua} is revealed from heaven with His mighty messengers,  (8)  in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know Elohim, and on those who do not obey the Good News of our Master יהושע  {Jehsua} Messiah,  (9)  who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Master and from the esteem of His strength,  (10)  when He comes to be esteemed in His set-apart ones and to be admired among all those who believe in that Day, because our witness to you was believed.

The sabbath God requires sinful men to observe is to cease from the works of the flesh, as completely as He rested from the work of creation on the seventh day, that they may enter into the millennial rest that remaineth for the people of God.

Heb 4:9-11 The Scriptures 1998+  (9)  So there remains a Sabbath-keeping for the people of Elohim.  (10)  For the one, having entered into His rest, has himself also rested from his works, as Elohim rested from His own.  (11)  Let us therefore do our utmost to enter into that rest, lest anyone fall after the same example of disobedience.1 Footnote: 1See 3:18.

Men frequently err in their speculations from inattention to the marked distinction which subsists in the scriptures between those classes of mankind termed “saints” and “sinners”. They confound what is said to, or concerning, the one, with what is said in relation to the other. Relatively to the institutions of God they are as near or afar off as are “citizens” and “foreigners” to the laws and constitution of the United States.

“What the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law.”

This is a principle laid down by Paul concerning the law of Moses, which is equally true of the codes of all nations. “Citizens” are the saints, or separated ones, of the particular code by which they are insulated from all other people; while “foreigners” or “aliens” from their commonwealth are sinners in relation to it; for they live in other countries in total disregard of its institutions, and doing contrary to its laws, and yet are blameless: so that if they were to visit the country of that commonwealth, they would not be punished for their former course, because they were not under law to it. Let them, however, while sojourning there continue their native customs, and they would become guilty and worthy of the punishment made and provided for such offenders.

It is a fact, that “God blessed and sanctified” or set apart, “the seventh day”; and doubtless, Adam and his wife rested, or intermitted, their horticultural tendance upon that day. Yea, we may go further and say, that it is extremely probable that “the sons of God” before the flood, worshipped God according to “His way” upon that day; but in all the history of that long period, which intervened from the sanctification of the seventh day to the raining down bread from heaven for the Israelites in the wilderness, (Exodus 16) there is not the least hint of any punishment for breaking the Sabbath day. Guiltiness before God cannot therefore be argued against the Gentiles so as to entitle them to death or reprobation, predicated on the threatenings of the patriarchal code. Whatever the appointment might be, it was no doubt significative of the blessings to be obtained through observing it; not alone, but in connexion with the other matters which made up “the way of God”.

– Thomas, D. J. (1990). Elpis Israel: an exposition of the Kingdom of God (electronic ed., pp. 20–21). Birmingham, UK: The Christadelphian.

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Preceding articles:

Creation of the earth and man #3 Of the Sabbath day #1 the Seventh day

Creation of the earth and man #4 Of the Sabbath day #2 Days 1,7,8 and 50

Were Gentiles excluded from entering the synagogue?

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Additional reading:

  1. Genuine message of salvation
  2. When believing in God’s existence and His son, possessing a divine legislation
  3. On the Edge of Believing
  4. Imitate prophets and Paul
  5. Looking for a shepherd for the sheep and goats
  6. Sabbath according to the scriptures

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Further related writings:

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