Questions On Jesus In The Old Testament

Question 1. Why is genesis 38 included in the bible. it seems to be unrelated to the rest of the book. it seems to be unrelated to the rest of the book. what is the point of the passage? how does it relate to contem- porary issues?

Answer As you look at the context, the account of Joseph in Egypt, it does look quite out of place. What does this strange story about Judah, one of Joseph's brothers, have to do with context and how is it important to us today?

Its importance can be stated in one word, "Messiah". The reason it is important is, it provides the link that brings about the continuation of the Messianic lineage.

GEN 38:27 ¶ And it came about at the time she was giving birth, that behold, there were twins in her womb.
GEN 38:28 Moreover, it took place while she was giving birth, one put out a hand, and the midwife took and tied a scarlet thread on his hand, saying, "This one came out first."
GEN 38:29 But it came about as he drew back his hand, that behold, his brother came out. Then she said, "What a breach you have made for yourself!"So he was named Perez.
GEN 38:30 And afterward his brother came out who had the scarlet thread on his hand; and he was named Zerah.

One of the twins, Perez, born to Judah and Tamar, is in the lineage of Jesus. Without Jesus, then where would we be today as far as salvation is concerned?

MAT 1:1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
MAT 1:2 ¶ To Abraham was born Isaac; and to Isaac, Jacob; and to Jacob, Judah and his brothers;
MAT 1:3 and to Judah were born Perez and Zerah by Tamar; and to Perez was born Hezron; and to Hezron, Ram;

Yes, God's Word is a fascinating account of how God worked among men to bring about salvation. Even when men did evil and it looked like the plan of God would be overturned, God worked His plan above man's evil so that we might have an opportunity to be saved. Contact Gary

Question 2.  In Jeremiah chpt. 33:17 it talks about how there will not cease to be a descendant of of David's to rule on the throne nor a priest to offer burnt offerings.

But weren't there periods of time when this did happen. Even today there rules in Israel people who are not descendants of David and sacrifices are not being made.

Answer This is a question that is going to require a rather lengthy answer, but I will do my best to boil it down as much as possible without leaving out important content.

First, let me state the answer in summary in the beginning and then consider how we get to this answer point by point. Instead of being a literal physical promise in regard to the Davidic reign and the Levitical priesthood, this is a spiritual promise that is now being fulfilled in Christ Jesus. He is now ruling as King over heaven and earth and is also our High Priest, having offered the perfect sacrifice before God, His own blood. The key passages that teach these truths are Acts 2 and Hebrews 7. Now, how do we get there?

First, concerning Jesus becoming King, God made a promise to David that He would set one of his descendants upon the throne and he would rule forever. 2 Sam. 7. However, in Jer. 22:24-30, God says that in Jerusalem, there would never be a descendant of David ruling on that throne again. So, in a physical literal sense, this promise would never come to pass.

Then, In Jer. 33:15-17, we are told that one of David's descendants would rule and prosper. But, how? The answer is in Acts 2, where we read of the apostles speaking the gospel for the first time. Jesus, having been crucified, is raised from the dead and seated a the right hand of God. Here, He receives all authority from God to rule over all the nations. Instead of the throne room being in Jerusalem, it is in Heaven itself.

Although there are some who look for Jesus t one day rule on the earth, this day is not coming for He is ruling the earth from Heaven now. His reign will end at the resurrection of the dead on the last day. 1 Cor 15:20-28.

Then, as to Jesus being our high priest, in Gen. 14:18-24, we read a strange story of Abram (Abraham) giving tithes to a high priest named Malchizedek. This tells us that he was above the coming Levitical priests because Levi was a descendant of Abraham who paid tithes to Malchizedek.

Not much is told of him again until the 110th Psalm where we read that there would be one who would not only be a priest like Malchizedek, but would also be a king. This is Jesus who was our perfect high priest who offered the perfect sacrifice,His own blood, so that we might be saved from our sins. Heb. 7. Jesus is now both priest and King. And, although He is not a literal Levitical priest, He is greater than that priesthood was, for they needed not only to offer sacrifices for the sins of others but also for their own sins. Heb. 5.

Therefore, although the passages in Jer. 33:15-17 seems contradictory to what actually happened in history, there is no contradiction for all has been fulfilled in the reign of Jesus. He is both priest and king now! Contact Gary

Question 3. What are the promises of Abraham?

Answer The main passage we need to look at is found in Gen. 12:1-4.  It reads as follows.

GEN 12:1 Now the Lord said to Abram, "Go forth from your country, And from your relatives And from your father's house, To the land which I will show you; GEN 12:2 And I will make you a great nation, And I will bless you, And make your name great; And so you shall be a blessing; GEN 12:3 And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed. " GEN 12:4 So Abram went forth as the Lord had spoken to him; and Lot went with him. Now Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.

Involved in what God said to Abraham are three interrelated promises.

First, He promised to make of him a great nation, however in order to do that, he must have offspring.  So, God promised him a son and this was fulfilled in Gen. 21 when Abraham was 100 years old.

Secondly, God promised to make of Abraham (his descendants) a great nation (Israel).  He did this by giving them a law through Moses and a land, the land of Canaan.  This was fulfilled in Joshua 21:43-45.

Then, thirdly the most important part of the promises, in fact the reason for all the preceding, He promised to bless all nations through the seed of Abraham.   This was fulfilled in Jesus who came and provided His blood for the forgiveness of our sins.  Read carefully and joyfully Galatians 3. Contact Gary

Question 4. What does the prophecy of Genesis 3:15 mean as it relates to the history of mankind--God's seed and the devil's see and the birth,death and resurrection of Jesus?

Answer The woman's seed of Genesis 3:15 is Christ. He is called the seed of woman rather than man because He was born to a virgin, hence no earthly father.

The enmity was between Christ and Satan. "He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel" simply looks forward to the time when Christ was crucified (His heel was bruised, i.e, not a mortal wound) and when Satan was defeated (i.e., Christ is now all-powerful and the devil is reserved for judgement; his head is bruised, which is a mortal wound).

This is only possible due to the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.