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The Holy Bible is an amazingly unified text that encompasses the whole plan of God to bring salvation to man through Jesus Christ and complete all of history in our Savior (Ephesians 1:10). Knowing the plan of God helps us realize the meticulous detail by which He brought us eternal life through His wisdom, knowledge, and love, for his good pleasure and praise (Ephesians 1:4-8).
Key to this plan is:
· The structural elements to bring salvation.
· The teaching elements to allow us to recognize the Savior.
In my last blog, we covered the plan of God from creation up to the end of the time of Abraham, roughly up to Genesis 23. Today we discuss the time of Israel and the time of the prophets.
Israel
This chosen people was God’s fourth gracious attempt to provide a way for people of the world to seek and obey Him (please see the last blog for the first three). Israel’s history can be conveniently divided between several periods.
Theocracy
God desired to lead Israel as a theocracy, through his representative Moses, then Joshua, into the promised land which would be their rest, a place of peace symbolizing their final holy Kingdom under Messiah.
Through the theocracy, God’s intention for Israel was they become a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and His unique people (Exodus 19:5-6). Further, in redeeming them He promised them a rest, safety, and a land (Deuteronomy 12:9-12).
Unfortunately, following their redemption through the Red Sea, Israel immediately sinned and tempted God at Massa (Exodus 17:1-7; Psalm 95:7-11), and they fell into judgment. In addition, Israel failed to take the land, however, as God directed. For this reason, and continued unfaithfulness, they suffered resulting attacks from heathen countries in and around the promised land (described in the book of Judges).
Ultimately, Israel then longed for a king like other nations so they could attain superficial stability instead of faithfully seeking God and the greater benefits of being His people (1 Samuel 8).
The kings
God graciously allowed a king, as the Israelites requested, through the leadership of Samuel. This change ended the theocracy. However, Israel chose Saul, the wrong King, and God ultimately provided His choice, David (1 Samuel 16), who initiated the line of Messiah (2 Samuel 7:12-16).
God confirmed David as His choice by Davidic Covenant promising him an eternal throne, house, and kingdom (2 Samuel 7:12-16); God later upheld again these promises (Psalm 89:20 through 132:8; Rom 11:25-31). Israel under David, and under his son, Solomon, reached its height of power symbolizing the glory power, wisdom, and riches of the Messianic kingdom (Matthew 12:42).
Key Messianic prophecies
David was known as a person after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22; 1 Sam 13:14). Accordingly, God used David to bring forth numerous Messianic prophecies often reflecting Christ’s own affliction. Below are several of the important Davidic prophecies:
- Psalm 2:7-8 – This passage predicts the resurrection of Messiah (Acts 13:33).
- Psalm 16: 8-10 – Speaks to the resurrection of Messiah.
- Psalm 22 – Describes Messiah’s death on the cross.
- Psalm 45: 6-7 – Messiah is God, righteous and eternal.
- Psalm 68:18 – Ascension of Christ.
- Psalm 69,109 – Messiah will be betrayed.
- Psalm 110:1,4 – Messiah will have all enemies under his feet and is from the order of Melchizedek, Messiah is God (see also Genesis 14; Hebrews 7
The prophets
After Solomon, Israel continued in sin and Israel was split into separate northern and southern kingdoms. God graciously helped Israel by revealing His will through the prophets. The age of the prophets started with Elijah and was initiated by miracles. Ultimately, important new revelation, given through the ensuing major and minor prophets (e.g., Isaiah and Hosea), warned Israel of coming judgment and urged repentance but also gave further details of the coming glorious Messianic kingdom.
Nonetheless, Israel continued in sin and God carried away the especially sinful northern kingdom and its 10 tribes to Assyria in 722 BC, and ultimately the southern Kingdom at the beginning of the 6th century BC to Babylon for a 70-year exile. Following the exile, many Israelites in Babylon returned to the southern kingdom of Judah where they rebuilt the temple within the walls of Jerusalem. However, after Malichi, God left them in a time of prophetic silence until the coming of the Messiah 400 years later (inter-testament period). Major Messianic prophesies are given in both the major and minor prophetic books. Below are several important examples:
- Isaiah 7:14 – Messiah would be born from a virgin.
- Isaiah 9:1-6 – Messiah is God and will have a just government.
- Isaiah 53 – Messiah will die for our sins.
- Isaiah 59:20-21 – Messiah will bring salvation and the Holy Spirit.
- Jeremiah 31:31-34 – The New Covenant which includes the kingdom promise and Holy Spirit. Zechariah 12:10 – Messiah will be pierced.
- Zechariah 13:7 – Messiah will be struck and Israel scattered.
- Malachi 3:1; Malachi 4:5; Isaiah 40:3 – God will send a forerunner, as Elijah, to urge Israel to repent. This was John the Baptist (Matthew 11:11-15).
Thank you for joining me. God indeed has a great plan for the ages to sum all things up in Christ. join me again the next two times on this fascinating journey as we discuss the gospels and afterwards the church age and the return of our blessed Savior.
Join us again next time and share this important blog with your friends and family!
William C. Stewart, MD
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