Jesus in Genesis: Verses & Thoughts to Reflect On

[Josh]

2/24/06:

What follows is an overview of passages in the book of Genesis that I have found to be prophetic of the coming of Jesus, the Messiah

Subtle foreshadowings of Jesus in the Garden of Eden:

Genesis 3:14-15 (the prophesied 'enmity' between the offspring of the evil one and the 'seed of the woman')

AND don't forget 3:21, which is the first 'sacrifice' as a covering for sin

(see also Romans 16:20 and Revelation 12:17 for how this is fleshed out in the NT)

In the call of Abraham:

Genesis 12:2-3 (only the message of Christ has truly fulfilled this)

Subtly in the mysterious figure Melchizidek:

Genesis 14:18-20 (note the bread and wine and his direct relationship with God)

In the appearances of the Angel of the Lord, which I take to be the pre-incarnate Christ. The angel of the Lord is certainly not an angel, but the 'prince of the angels' who is himself called the LORD (YAHWEH):

To Hagar in Genesis 16 (compare especially verses 11 and 13)

To Abraham and Sarah in Genesis 18 (compare verse 1 to verse 2, 9 and 10, and 33 to 19:1)

To Jacob in Genesis 32:22-32

Powerfully, in the story of Abraham sacrificing Isaac:

Genesis 22:1-19, noting especially these references:

v. 2,12,16 (your son, your only son)
v. 2 Moriah (temple mount) on one of the mountains (Calvary?)
v. 3 donkey
v. 6 carrying the wood/ cross
v. 8, 14 God will provide, the saying "it will be provided"
v. 18 the blessing comes through the sacrifice
(some of you also suggested additional clues)

Clearly, in the story of Joseph (Genesis 37-50)

Foreshadowings of Christ/ Similarities between Joseph and Jesus:

Beloved son
Rejected at first attempt to reveal himself
Betrayed by brothers for pieces of silver
Falsely accused
Ended in the "pit" (like death)
Interactions with two prisoners: one blessed, the other cursed (like the two theives on the cross)
"Resurrected" because of his righteousness
Seated at Pharaoh's (God's) right hand: given all
authority (see Heb. 3:1, 1 Peter 3:22, Matthew 28:18)
Saved the world (first Gentile, then Jew)
Saved the world with 'bread'= bread of life
Brought the Jews to live with the Gentiles
Reunited with/ and blessed by his father

Lastly, in Jacob's prophecy to Judah:

Genesis 49:8-12

Foreshadowings and predictions:

A future ruler would come
Time indicators are given (the scepter shall not depart until...)
Donkey
Wine
Blood
White teeth= sinlessness

[brian]

2/24/06:

I was really intrigued by Tuesday nights study, I felt like I had a new lense through which to view the stories of Genesis.

When you look for Christ, he is all over the place, practically jumping off the page.

Many of the connections were new to me, and I was fascinated by the way that Genesis lays out the beginnings of relationships such as humans vs. the serpent, and humans and the sacrificial lamb.

They certainly have meaning at the moment that they first happen, and also have even greater meaning from the perspective of history as they continue to develop through the Bible.

I found this to be a fascinating way to approach the O.T. Thank you Josh for all of your research and effort in providing the teaching.

[Josh]

2/24/06:

Well, it's my hope that returning to this approach again and again will breathe new life into our OT study-- and perhaps round out or help make it more holistic. We all have our favorite angles when it comes to reading the Bible. It's always good to get stretched beyond that.

[rose]

3/1/06:

I felt the same way, Brian! It was so exciting to go over the amazing examples of Jesus in the OT again! And the Joseph examples were new to me...especially the things Michelle kept pointing out! How truly remarkable to see the threads of truth and authenticity being woven throughout the scriptures. Yes, thanks Josh for a very thought provoking lesson!

[michelle]

2/24/06:

Josh, thanks for the new perspective on Genesis. I've never seen things in the way that you showed us on Tuesday night. It is so interesting to me that there can be that much foreshadowing to Jesus. God's really good at the big picture thing!!

[Josh]

3/2/06:

Your thanks is much appreciated. And your input on Tuesday even more. Thanks for showing me a few new angles on the Joseph story!