Introduction:

Scripture - Luke 24:44-45

"And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures . . ."

John 5:39

"Ye search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me."

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Introduction: In the first two chapters of Genesis we find the record of the creation week. We are not looking so much for the events of the week nor do we intend to demonstrate the obvious fact that the days are literal and not figurative. We instead will be looking in this study and the studies to follow in this series for the Christ.

Christ - The Co-Creator: In the very beginning of the Bible we see the vague recognition of the presence of Jesus. The term translated "God" in Genesis 1:1 is in a plural form in the Hebrew and may suggest either the majesty of God by using the plural or possibly a suggestion of the ever-presence of Jesus with the Father throughout the Bible record, the plural form being very common throughout the old Scriptures. Both may even be under consideration in the Hebrew form and very likely such is the case.

It is also true that several passages such as are found in Genesis 1:26, Genesis 11:7, and others indicate a presence with which God talks and plans. Since Genesis 1:26 definitively shows this individual to be a co-creator, the only one qualified to be this person is Jesus.

This theme is developed to a much greater degree in later Scripture. Psalm 33 when compared to John 1:1-3 clearly presents to us Jesus the co-creator as "the Word" of God. Without question, Christ was present and active at the creation of the world.

What Christ Did Was Good: In the creation record we are reminded that all which was done by the Creator was good. It was good in its parts (Genesis 1:4,10 et.al.) and it was good as a whole (Genesis 1:31).

The creation was also good because of its orderliness. It was ordered in the doing of it, each step depending on the one before. It was ordered in its interdependence, no part able to stand on its own but each part having a place in the overall plan. It was ordered in its continuance, designed through reproduction (Genesis 1:11-12) and interrelation to continue until the Creator should return and bring about the end of time.

Mankind - The Crown Jewel of Creation: God’s final act during the creation week was the birth of Adam and Eve. They were the crowning achievement of our Lord, all else taking second place to them in the mind of God. They were His children and He provided them with all things they might need.

Conclusion: Christ was, from the very beginning, meeting the needs of man, nurturing him, walking with him, loving him. We will see as we continue our study that the Christ was present with the people of God throughout the Old Testament record.

1. How might Jesus have taught this to his disciples?

2. How did Christ continue this role (creator) in the New Testament times?

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Introduction: In Genesis 3:15 is found the veiled promise of redemption for lost humanity. We will look at this promise, its purpose, and its fulfillment in Christ.

I. Purpose of the Bible: There is a very simple reason for God having presented the Bible to humanity. It was to convey four things to mankind that he must understand in order to be able to spend eternity reunited with God. These four things are that (1) man is lost (Isaiah 59:1-2), (2) God does not want this to be the case (II Peter 3:9), (3) God has done something so that man can be redeemed from his lost condition (John 3:16), and (4) what man must do to be redeemed (Matthew 7:21).

II. Sin Separated man from God: In Genesis 2: God prepares man for his existence in the garden of Eden. He is given authority, responsibility, and a warning against sin. But man did not heed the warning and exercised instead his own will. After having eaten from the forbidden tree, man found himself at odds with God. Man understood good from evil which assures us that he knew he had done evil. Man could no longer walk with God in the garden and so was driven out from his relationship with God, his beautiful home, and the tree of life. Man had separated himself from God because of sin (Isaiah 59:1-2).

III. God Made a Promise: In Genesis 3:15 God makes a promise to defeat Satan on behalf of man through the seed of woman. In Scriptures we will study in later lessons, He provides a pattern of redemption through symbolism in the laws of sacrifice and in the emblems of the temple. These are a pattern of things to come and were written for our learning (Romans 15:4). We find the start of the fulfillment in the birth of Christ as He was born of woman and born as a redeemer (Galatians 4:4-5).

There are several times throughout His ministry that Christ continued to bruise Satan but three of these deserve special attention. The first was at the birth of Christ in that little town in that little manger so many years ago. Born of a virgin, Christ, in principle, starts His mission of defeating Satan.

The second time Satan suffers a decisive blow in the Scriptures is when Christ is baptized and enters the wilderness to face Satan and his temptations. Three times He is tempted and three times He is victorious until Satan finally leaves (Luke 4:1-13).

The third time is at His death, burial, and resurrection where He offers His blood for our redemption (I John 1:6-7, Hebrews 9:11-12). Having made the perfect sacrifice, there would always from this point on be hope for penitent mankind. Satan’s head had indeed received the deathblow promised 4000 years earlier.

Conclusion: When mankind sinned and was separated from God, the promise was made that the seed of woman would eventually defeat Satan for his actions. This promise was fulfilled in Christ.

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Introduction: Jesus Christ is presented to the world as a universal savior. In the same passage where the premise for this study is taken (Luke 24:44-45) it states that the preaching they were to do would be to "all nations" (Luke 24:47) and that it would begin at Jerusalem. Acts bears the account of the fulfillment of this prophecy and the command attached to it. We will be turning to Genesis 12:3, a statement found in the law, as a starting point for our study.

I. A Universal Savior Planned: Paul tells us in the letter to the church at Ephesus that God planned this savior even before the creation of the world. His coming is announced at the beginning when man first falls and is fulfilled 4000 years later.

II. A Universal Savior Promised: In the writings of Moses we find a promise made to Abraham that through his seed all the nations of the world would be blessed (Genesis 22:15-19). This promise is not only made to Abraham, it is reaffirmed to both Isaac and Jacob (Genesis 26:1-5, Genesis 28:10-15).

III. A Universal Savior Provided: The blessing to be provided to the nations of the earth through the seed of Abraham were not physical blessings but rather spiritual blessings and were provided through Christ (Galatians 3:16,19). Within the New Testament we find that this universal blessing was a universal savior (John 10:14-16).

IV. The Promise to Abraham Greater Than The Law: In the third chapter of Galatians Paul gives three reasons why the promise to Abraham concerning the blessing of the world through his seed was greater than the law. These reasons are (1) the promise came before the law, (2) the promise was confirmed by God, and (3) the law could not disannul the promise. The promise of Christ, the universal savior, was truly greater than the law.

Conclusion: In this study we find that Christ was promised as a universal savior. He fulfilled that promise through a universal commission, universal law, and universal church offered to a lost world at Pentecost.

1. When was the universal commission actually given?

2. At what point did Christ actually become the universal savior?

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Introduction: In our previous studies we have found that Christ was in the beginning assisting in the creation of the world. We saw the promise of a redeemer, we saw His universal nature, and now we have begun to see His heritage. This study will take a little deeper look at His lineage and lordship.

I. Christ was to be From: We have previously seen that a promise was made to Abraham that from him a seed would come that would bless all the nations of the earth. This promise was repeated to Isaac and then to Jacob, who later would be renamed Israel. It was from him that the tribes of Israel came forth.

II. Christ was to be from Judah: In Genesis the 49th chapter we find the blessings that Jacob gave to his sons before his death. We will center our study on the blessing of Judah located in Genesis 49:8-12. It is in this text that we find that there is to be a lawgiver to come from Judah. This refers, of course, to Christ.

III. Christ was to be from Jesse: After we find that Jesus is to be of the tribe of Judah, we find another notable character in His lineage, Jesse. (Isaiah 11:1-4)

IV. Christ was to be from David: As we continue on in this cursory view of lineage, we need to introduce David into the lineage of Christ. We do this through Psalm 132:11-18, Hebrews 1:5, and other texts. We will build on this lineage in later studies.

V. Characteristics of Christ: There are found four characteristics of Christ worthy of note in Genesis 49:8-12. They are (1) He was to be a man of universal authority, (2) He was to be a man of strength, (3) He was to be a lawgiver, and (4) He was to gather the people.

Conclusion: We have seen in this lesson the development of the lineage of Christ. This lineage is used in the New Testament to demonstrate conclusively, along with all the other mountains of evidence, that Jesus truly was the Messiah.

Discuss the role that the four characteristics of Genesis 49:8-12 played in Christ carrying out His mission.

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Introduction: As we continue our study, we need to remind ourselves that we are looking for Christ in the old Scriptures. Far too often we try to dissect God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit so much that we separate them where they are Biblically joined together. Whenever we look at Scripture pertaining to God, His actions, or His attributes, we are often looking at Christ also.

I. Christ Delivers Israel: In Exodus 3:13-14 God tells Moses that when the people ask who sent him to tell them that ‘I AM’ sent him. Jesus inextricably links Himself to this passage in John 8:54-59. Paul would again link the Christ to this portion of Jewish history in I Corinthians 10:1-4. As we look at God’s dealings with Pharaoh and Egypt we are seeing also Christ.

II. Seven Definitive Victories of Christ over Paganism: All of us have probably studied and memorized the plagues of Egypt in past years. This was a great time in the history of God’s people and deserves much study. But rather than study the plagues as such, we are going to view not all the battles, but the definitive victories of God over paganism.

(1) In Exodus 7: God demonstrates himself stronger than the representatives of paganism. While both sides produce the same ‘miracle’ God’s representative produces the stronger manifestation. God - 1, Paganism - 0.

(2) In Exodus 7: God ‘kills’ the Nile river, their God of life. God - 2, Paganism - 0.

(3) In Exodus 7: God performs a miracle the magicians cannot duplicate showing that His power is not only stronger, it is greater. God - 3, Paganism - 0.

(4) God protects His people in Genesis 8: while punishing pagan Egypt. God - 4, Paganism - 0.

(5) The pagan magicians are personally afflicted so that they cannot stand before Moses (Exodus 9:). God - 5, Paganism - 0.

(6) In Exodus 9: Pharaoh, one of their gods, confesses sin. God - 6, Paganism - 0.

(7) God kills Pharaoh’s son, one of their future gods. God - 7, Paganism - 0.

III. Christ Delivers People at the Red Sea: In this action God demonstrates His power over the entire nation, its armies, gods, Pharaoh, and so on.

Conclusion: Christ is presented in this narrative as being totally powerful and totally superior to the gods of paganism.

How does Christ demonstrate His power over paganism today?

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Lesson Six:

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Introduction: In the old Scriptures we find the story of when God passed over the houses of the Israelites when in Egyptian bondage but slew the firstborn of the Egyptians that same night. God ‘passed over’ the houses that were protected by the blood of the Passover lamb. This lamb symbolized Christ and it is His blood that protects Christians today.

I. Jesus Christ the Passover Lamb: The Scriptures are very careful to relate Christ to the Passover lamb (Exodus 12:46, Numbers 9:12, Psalm 34:20, John 19:33-36). The reason for this is because the Passover lamb represented one aspect of the work of the Messiah, that of protecting God’s children from His perfect wrath. Jesus was slain for us as our Passover lamb (I Corinthians 5:7-8) and His blood protects us through cleansing us from the guilt of our sins. Just as God spared the firstborn ones of the long ago because of the blood, so He spares the firstborn ones today (Hebrews 12:23) because of the blood of Christ.

II. The Lord’s Supper - Our Passover Meal: When Jesus instituted the Lord’s supper, He did so at the conclusion of the Passover meal he ate with His disciples. At this time He stated that the Passover was to be fulfilled in the kingdom (Luke 22:16) and, as our Passover lamb, the emblems we take represent his body and blood. In the old law the eating of the Passover caused the children to ask questions and afforded an opportunity to teach them about God’s deliverance (Exodus 12:25-27). Such is true today about the Lord’s supper.

III. Observations Concerning the Passover: There are several things of interest concerning the Passover. We will look at a few of them here.

• 1. Unleavened bread was required symbolizing haste in leaving Egypt (Exodus 12:).

• 2. The Passover was eaten only in the house (Exodus 12:46).

• 3. All covenant people ate (Exodus 12:47-48).

• 4. Non-covenant people could not eat (Exodus 12:43-45, 48).

• 5. There was no acceptable excuse not to eat (Numbers 9:6-13).

• 6. There was one law for all (Exodus 12:49, Numbers 9:14).

Conclusion: The law contained a number of life pictures concerning the nature and work of Christ. Here is the picture of redemption and "passing over" by the destroyer of all those who were protected by the blood of the Lamb. Such is true also in the new covenant.

Discuss the implications of the Passover as they relate to the church today in worship.

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Introduction: I Corinthians 10:1-4 when linked with Exodus 13:20-22 gives us a good picture of the abiding presence of Christ with the people of Israel. Our study today will look at the leadership qualities demonstrated by our Savior.

I. Christ was With The People in the Wilderness: From the two passages already cited we can see that Christ was in constant attendance to the guidance and care of the people of Israel. The psalmist tells us He provided all their needs because He was their rock (Psalm 78:12-16, 35).

II. Qualities of a great leader: A great leader, whether it is a father, elder, preacher, etc., will lead, feed, and protect those under his charge. Such it was with Christ in the Wilderness.

1. Leads: Christ led the people constantly and consistently (Exodus 1:).

2. Feeds: Christ provided manna, quail, water, etc., for the people to eat.

3. Protects: Christ protected His people from their enemies.

III. Christ Still a Great Leader Today: Just as Christ filled the role of a leader for the people of Israel, so He fills that role today for the church.

1. Leads: Christ still leads His people today through, and only through, the Word. He does this through commands, approved examples, and necessary inferences.

2. Feeds: Jesus is our spiritual manna and our manna (Christ) is eternal.

3. Protects: Today Christ protects us from our spiritual dangers. He protects us from temptation (I Corinthians 10:13) and from the tempter (John 10:27-30).

Conclusion: Christ was present with the chosen people in their escape from bondage and in their travels to the land of promise. This was a picture for us today that Christ abides with us constantly as we escape sin and head on our journey towards heaven.

Discuss the idea of guidance through command, approved example, and necessary inference.

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1. Ark of the Covenant                 1. Table of shewbread                                         1. Water laver

2. Alter of incense                         2. Candlestick                                                     2. Alter of sacrifice

Conclusion: In this study we have only begun to experience the symbolism of the tabernacle. Much more can be gained in our personal study.

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Introduction: In Luke when Christ was teaching His disciples about Himself from the old Scriptures, one thing that had to be established was His superiority to the law of Moses. We will be looking at this superiority by investigating the idea that Christ and His law replaced Moses and his law.

I. Promise of a Prophet: Towards the end of the life and writings of Moses, a promise is made of one like unto Moses who will lead the people (Deuteronomy 18:15-18). Peter reveals that this promise pertains to Jesus (Acts 3:19-23).

II. Christ’s replacement of Moses confirmed at Transfiguration: At the transfiguration of Christ in the presence of some of the disciples, there appeared Moses and Elijah. Peter quickly came up with the idea of building three tabernacles, one to honor Moses, one Elijah, and one Jesus. But the voice of God from Heaven revealed that Christ was the one that people should now hear (Matthew 17:1-5).

III. Christ Replaced the Law of Moses: Christ demonstrated at the Sermon on the Mount that His purpose was to replace the Law of Moses (Matthew 5:). This was accomplished through His death (Hebrews 10:9, Colossians 2:12-15).

IV. Christ’s law Superior to Moses’ law: The Law of Moses could never accomplish what the law of Christ could, the redemption of mankind from the state of spiritual death (Hebrews 10:).

V. General Characteristics of a Prophet: There are several things about a true prophet that should be remembered. (1) A prophet is accurate and truthful. (2) A prophet speaks for God. (3) A prophet is to be feared. (Deuteronomy 18:)

Conclusion: Jesus was to be the replacement of Moses and a giver of a new and better law. As the prophet of God, Jesus delivered this law to the world (Hebrews 1:1-4).

1. Discuss the characteristics of a prophet of God as they relate to Christ.

2. Why would this lesson be so important to the disciples and the Church?

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Introduction: This lesson is designed to help us understand better the way Christ redeemed us from the curse of sin.

I. Mankind Cursed Because of Sin: At the beginning of time, God warned Adam not to sin or it would bring death. In spite of this warning, he still disobeyed the instructions of God. When he did, physical and spiritual death became the rule of man’s existence.

II. Man Needed to be Redeemed: God delivered a picture of redemption to mankind in the death of the firstborn in Egypt. While all those unprotected by blood died, those protected by blood were spared. But because the firstborn ones were spared, they belonged to God and had to be redeemed by blood (Exodus 13:1-2, 11-13). This was a picture of Christ who would redeem us through His blood (Galatians 3:10-13, Galatians 4:4-5).

III. Christ Redeemed Us By Becoming A Curse For Us: Several pictures are given in the old Scriptures concerning Christ and our redemption. One is found in the atonement for us that was designed to cleanse us. Christ took our place (Isaiah 53:4-6) and reconciled us to God by His death (Romans 5:6-11).

The lesson concerning the scapegoat found in Leviticus 16: is particularly powerful since it pictures the scapegoat taking the sins of the people on himself and carrying them away into the wilderness. Jesus is our scapegoat, taking our sins on Himself and carrying them away. (John 1:29, 36)

Conclusion: Just as at the atonement the people were reconciled to God, so we at the cross were reconciled to God through the sacrifice of Christ.

1. What does redeem mean?

2. What does atone mean?

3. Why are so many different examples given of the work of Christ in the old Scriptures?

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Introduction: One of the necessary functions of the law was to bring us to Christ (Galatians 3:) so that we would know definitely, conclusively, and emphatically who the Christ really was. Before the Christ there were imposters; After the Christ there were imposters; Even today there are imposters. We needed some way to recognize the Messiah. God gave us ample predictions concerning the time of fulfillment, the place of fulfillment, and signs of the fulfillment. Today our study looks at one such sign, the sign of a star (Numbers 24:17).

I. A Star To Herald The Coming Messiah: In the old testament stars are sometimes linked to the concept of authority. Such was also true of pagan thinking. Certainly a star is linked to the coming Messiah of Israel (Numbers 24:17, Genesis 49:10).

II. The Messiah Announced By A Physical Light: The wise men from the east followed a star to Bethlehem, understanding the meaning of its appearance and acting on their understanding (Matthew 2:1-10).

III. Messiah To Be A Spiritual Light: Just as Jesus was announced by a physical light, He was to be to the world a spiritual light (Isaiah 9:1-2, Isaiah 60:1-5).

IV. Jesus Links Root Of David With A Star: In Jeremiah 23:5-6 we find a reference to the Messiah and His relation to David. Jesus draws on this as He completes the New Testament in Revelation 22:16.

V. Jesus, The Light of the World: Many times in the New Testament teachings we find Jesus portrayed as the light of the world. Jesus came as the Messiah so that He could bring spiritual light to a lost and dying world (John 1:1-14).

Conclusion: Many signs, evidences, announcements, and other things which gave undeniable clues to the recognition of the Messiah fill the old Scriptures. The star to mark His place of birth and His arrival is only one of many such evidences placed in the law for us to see and understand.

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Introduction: We have already in this series of lessons learned much about the Christ. We learned of His universal mission; We learned of His Godhood; We learned of His sacrifice. We also learned a little about when He should appear in the realm of time. This lesson reveals something about the mode of death He would suffer.

I. Foretold That The Deliverer Would Be Hanged On A Tree: There are two old testament passages we want to notice concerning the manner in which the Christ would die. The first is in Deuteronomy 21:22-23 where we find the passage about one being accursed who is hanged. This relates to Christ as we find in Galatians 3:13.

The second is in Numbers 21:4-9 and is the story of when the people murmured against God and He sent serpents among the people as punishment for their sins. God had Moses build a brass serpent which he hung in the midst of the people. When bitten, the people could look on the serpent and live.

II. Brass Serpent A Figure of the Christ: The saving power of the serpent required faith and action. Faith that upon looking at it one would be healed; Action by looking on it so that the healing might be accomplished. So it is with Christ today (John 3:14-17, Hebrews 12:1-2).

III. Jesus Foretold His Own Death Several Times: Jesus often spoke concerning His death. He even revealed in John 8:25-30 that He would be lifted up. He even pictured the type of death He would suffer when listing the requirements to be His disciple. (Luke 12:47).

IV. Christ Lifted Up on the Cross: In the gospels we find the crucifixion of the Christ. In that crucifixion we find the son of God lifted up as foretold in the old Scriptures. (Matthew 27:31-35).

V. Like the Brass Serpent, Christ Offered Salvation From Certain Death: Just as the people had to look on the serpent to live, so we must today look on the Christ to live. In His crucifixion He drew all men unto Himself (John 12:30-33).

Conclusion: Like the serpent, Christ was lifted up so that all could see Him and live.

1. Why might some Israelites not look on the serpent after they were bitten?

2. Discuss the cross of discipleship.

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Introduction: In Genesis 14: we meet a priest named Melchisedec. He is a type or forerunner of the Christ.

I. Jesus A Priest After the Order of Melchisedec: Psalm 110:1-4 ties Christ directly to the priesthood of Melchisedec. In Hebrews 1:13 there is a reference to verse one of Psalm 110. Hebrews 7:20-22 completes the picture by referring to Psalm 110:4.

II. Melchisedec Priesthood Greater Than Levitical Priesthood: Like Christ, Melchisedec appears to be prophet, priest, and king. None in the Levitical priesthood could claim such a distinction (Genesis 14:). In addition, we find that Melchisedec was greater than Abraham, the father of the Levitical priesthood, because Abraham paid tithes unto Melchisedec (Genesis 14:20). It is also true that the priesthood of Melchisedec was a continual priesthood where the priesthood of Levi was not (Hebrews 7:1-4, 15-17, 22-24).

III. Christ Could Not be in Levitical Priesthood: For one to be in the priesthood, he had to be descended from Aaron. Not only was Christ not descended from Aaron, He was of another tribe (Hebrews 7:12-14).

IV. Christ Our High Priest: Scripture explains the basic difference between the two priesthoods and the two high priests. The Levitical priesthood purified the patterns of the true things. The Melchisedec priesthood (Christ) purified the true things themselves (Hebrews 9:18-26).

Conclusion: Christ could not be a priest after the line of Aaron. His priesthood had to be special, eternal, and perfect. This was the picture offered through Melchisedec and his priesthood of the long ago.

1. What are some of the comparisons offered between Christ and Melchisedec?

2. Discuss the role of a high priest. How does Christ fulfill this role in the church?

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