{"id":3561,"date":"2011-09-28T01:00:56","date_gmt":"2011-09-28T09:00:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.lighthousebc.com\/beacon\/?p=3561"},"modified":"2012-02-13T19:41:12","modified_gmt":"2012-02-14T03:41:12","slug":"bob-the-old-testament","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lighthousebc.com\/beacon\/2011\/09\/28\/bob-the-old-testament\/","title":{"rendered":"BOB – The Old Testament"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

by Stephen Rodgers<\/em><\/p>\n

Last week’s post went a little bit long and touched on a few issues that were a bit technical. \u00a0This week’s post will probably be a bit shorter, and nowhere near as technical. \u00a0In fact, I spent part of the day contemplating if I wanted to just make a post with the title What is the OT About?<\/em> and then write Jesus<\/em> in the post.<\/p>\n

Nothing more. \u00a0Just Jesus<\/em>.<\/p>\n

I thought it would make a point…and it would. \u00a0But even though that would have\u00a0definitively\u00a0gotten the point across, let’s elaborate on it just a bit.<\/p>\n

First though, let me point out a couple of articles that deal with other aspects of the OT: \u00a0I’ve previously mentioned Vern Polythress\u2019\u00a0\u201cOverview of the Bible: A\u00a0Survey of the History of Salvation\u201d\u00a0but I’d also like to recommend\u00a0C. John Collins’ “The Theology of the Old Testament”\u00a0which takes a broader view. \u00a0They’re only a couple pages each, and there’s some great material in there (and if you own an ESV Study Bible<\/em>, you have those articles already). \u00a0But for the purposes of this article, I want to make the point that the central character of the Old Testament is indeed Jesus…even if He never quite<\/em> directly steps into the spotlight.<\/p>\n

It was Mark Dever who once summed up the message of the OT and NT as “Promises Made” and “Promises Kept,” respectively (with Jesus as the primary object of both). \u00a0But as much as I respect Pastor Mark, I wouldn’t be comfortable making a claim and then falling back on “well, Mark Dever said so<\/em>” as my primary justification. \u00a0On the other hand, “Jesus said so<\/em>” carries a little more weight.<\/p>\n

You see, it was Jesus who made it absolutely clear that the OT was all about Him! He said it more than once, and in a number of different contexts as well. \u00a0He said it before<\/em> His resurrection (John 5:39-40) and He said it after<\/em> His resurrection (Luke 24:27). He said it to His disciples<\/em> (Luke 24:44-45) and He said it to large crowds of strangers<\/em> (Matt. 5:17-18). \u00a0He said it at the beginning<\/em> of His ministry (Luke 4:20-21) and He said it at the end<\/em> of His ministry (Luke 22:37; Matt 26:56).<\/p>\n

I don’t know about you, but I’ve got this crazy notion that being a “Christian” involves paying attention to Christ.<\/p>\n

“Alright Stephen,” you might be saying. \u00a0“I believe you that the OT is about Jesus. \u00a0I even accept that Jesus said the OT was about Himself. \u00a0But can you give me examples of how<\/em> it’s about Him?”<\/p>\n

Yes. \u00a0Yes I can.<\/p>\n

Prophetic Promises<\/strong><\/p>\n

The OT contains hundreds of prophecies concerning the coming Messiah. \u00a0And despite what some skeptics say, there are strong reasons<\/a> to believe in their validity. \u00a0Here are just a few of them:<\/p>\n