Jesus in the Old Testament 028: Jesus Messiah

 

Jesus in the Old Testament 028:
Jesus the Coming Messiah

1 Sam 2:1-10

 

Thesis: Hannah’s song is born out of God’s setting right what was, in her perspective, a great injustice in granting her a son.  Her song is used by the Holy Spirit to not only celebrate her own justification but to look forward to the great justification which will be wrought by the coming Messiah, whose title as such is first used in this passage.

 

1. Nutshell w/Kids
1. What is injustice? Can you give me some examples?
2. What words do we use to describe someone who fixes injustice? Hero? Avenger?
3. The Hebrew word “Messiah,” and its Greek parallel, “Christ,” both mean “anointed one.”  What does that mean?
4. In the Bible, three kinds of people were anointed: Prophets, Priests, and Kings.  They were all “messiahs” in one sense, but God’s word speaks about a person who would be all three of these kinds of people and more.  He would be God!
5. He would come and set the greatest injustices right forever in solving our sin problem. 
6. Hannah’s Song in 1 Sam 2 uses the term “Messiah” for the first time in the Bible, and it is focusing on His lovingly setting right the injustices of the world.

 

2. Deeper w/ Adults
1. Summarize 1 Sam 1, the struggle between the wives of Elkanah.
1. Hannah’s problem:

a)    She is barren.

b)    Rival wife mocks her.

c)    Her husband doesn’t understand.

d)    God seems distant.

2. Hannah pledges to the Lord that, if she is given a son:

a)    He will be given to the Lord all the days of his life (In actual fulfillment of Ex 13).

b)    He will be a Nazarite from birth (Samson, John the Baptist).

3. God answers her prayer, and she follows through on her promise, delivering him to Shiloh to be raised by Eli in the tabernacle.
1. Two broad parallel passages:
1. Psalm 113
2. Luke 1:46-55, Mary’s song.
2. In the context of her song of praise, she uses the phrase, “Messiah” for the first time as a title noun, not a verb.
1. Messiah means to anoint or anointed one.  It had been used as a verb 3 times earlier in the Bible to describe someone pouring oil on something, but never to indicate an anointed person.
2. For the first time, in 1Sam 2:10, we have a person called “his [Gods] anointed.”  The Messiah.
3. Psalm 89:27 for additional clarity on the king and Son of God.
4. This passage gives prophetic pictures of the Messiah interwoven with joy over God having set her injustices right.
3. The song is an inclusio, having components repeated at the top and the bottom of the song that frame the ideas in between.
1. “My heart exults in the Lord” vs 1 and “He will give strength to his king.” vs 10.

a)    Hannah has seen the right-putting power of God in her life rejoices in it. She finds joy in her God exonerating her in her home.

b)    The words are different, but the flow in verses 9 and 10 makes me think of the Father as rejoicing in and celebrating the justice that the Messiah will bring.  He adds His strength to the cause of the Messiah.

2. “My horn is exalted in the Lord” vs 1 and “and exalt the horn of his anointed” vs 10.

a)    Horns are symbols of strength in scripture. Hannah’s status and position in her home are strengthened--she has more power--because she is now a mother as well.

b)    God exalts Messiah and adds to His strength and glory in recognition of His execution of justice and sacrifice.

(1)  2 Sam 22:2-3, 47

(2)  Luke 22:69

(3)  Eph 4:10

(4)  Phil 2:10-11

3. “I rejoice in your salvation” vs 1 and “his anointed,” vs 10.

a)    Salvation is Yashua, Jesus’ name. 

b)    Messiah is his title or office.

4. “There is no rock like our God,” vs 2 and “The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces.” vs 9. 

a)    From Hannah’s perspective, God is a place of refuge, a place to flee in her distress, as David often will.

(1)  Deut 32:4;

(2)  Isa 8:14

(3)  Isa 28:16

b)    From the perspective of those opposed to God and His Messiah, He is something impossibly hard and indelible.  When you run up against it.  You are broken, God is not.

(1)  Psa 18:2

(2)  Psa 118;22-23

(3)  Dan 2:34

(4)  1 Pet 2:6-8

5. “Talk no more so very proudly” vs 3 and “The bows of the mighty are broken” vs 4 and “For not by might will a man prevail.” vs 9.

a)    Again, Hannah sees that, in her life, those who are strong physically, in status, or in office were of no good to her.  The rival wife who was a mother mocked her.  Her husband did not understand her pain or act in a caring manner.  The priest of God initially rebukes her and thinks she’s drunk.  The powerful in her life we of no use, but God saved her.

b)    In vs 9, we understand that God’s salvation through Messiah will have nothing to do with human strength. 

(1)  Zech 4:6

(2)  Isa 53:2-3.

6. “The Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him, actions are weighed” vs    3 and “The Lord will judge the ends of the earth” vs 10

a)    Hannah is declaring that what she prayed quietly to herself, with her lips moving but no sound, God has judged publicly with his knowledge in giving her a son.

b)    Messiah, when he comes to judge, will do so with perfect knowledge as well.

(1)  Acts 10:42

(2)  Acts 17:31

(3)  Heb 4:13

5. In the midst of these bookends, the main idea of the song is that God presides over the fortunes of men.  These merisms use two contrasting extremes to help you understand that the entire spectrum of life is included in God’s sovereign justice. Those who enjoy ill-got fortune or power at the expense of others will have it stripped of them.  The righteous poor or downtrodden will be lifted up and have their needs met.
1. Blind arrogance and pride vs God’s knowledge vs 3
2. Military and physical power vs weakness vs 4
3. Those with an abundance of food and the hungry vs 5
4. Those with many children and the barren vs 5.

a)    Closest to Hannah’s heart, and right in the middle of this passage.

b)    7 is the number of perfection or completion. To “bear 7 sons” would be a perfect outcome for a woman in this culture.

(1)  Ruth 4:15 in a positive sense.

(2)  Jer 15:9, as here, one who is at a high station and will be abased in the judgment of God.

c)    The word “forlorn” in the ESV means to waste away, to shrivel up.  Frequently used to describe those women who have lost their husbands and become widows. God will take away that which gives them a self-centered sense of importance and value and leave them with nothing.

d)    Hannah will eventually bear 6 children, 2:21.

5. The Living and the Dead.   vs 6

a)    God claims elsewhere as well to hold life and death in his hand.

(1)  Deut 32:39

b)    It is interesting that God is not only the God of life and death, but the order is significant. He brings life out of death. He raises up out of Sheol.

c)    Here we have the resurrection of the saved prefigured.

(1)  Job 19:25-26

(2)  Psalm 16:9

(3)  Psalm 17:15

(4)  Psalm 30:3

(5)  John 5:28-29

(6)  Eph 4:8-10

(7)  1 Pet 4:6

(8)  Rev 20:4-5

6. The poor and the rich, vs 7-8

a)    The poor are pictured as amongst the dust (symbols of death) and the dung pile (pile of refuse).

b)    The contrasting couplet for wealth here does not have to do with possessions but with fellowship.  It is the company one keeps and the honor one enjoys that is seen as the principal benefit of wealth. 

c)    This can be seen salvifically as well.  We were once children of wrath like the rest of mankind, with whom we had fellowship (Eph 2:4), but now we are seated with Christ in the heavenlies (Eph 2:6) and are in fellowship with fellow believers as we are in fellowship with Him (1 John 1:7).

6. Vs 8b: If everything is going to be turned on its head by the justice of God, this does not mean that the world is out of control or that the moral order or the divine decree has been scrambled. God is the one who has set the earth on its foundation.  He has established “the way of things,” and he can alter it without violating the stability of the universe. (Psalm 104:5)
7. Vs 9: Statement of the preservation of the saints
1. The “faithful ones” are kept not by their own strength but by the action of God to keep their feet from slipping.  It is God’s pledge of steadfast love that secures their fate.

a)    Deut 32:35

b)    Isa 46:3-4

c)    Joel 3:16

2. The wicked are going to be judged and cannot do anything to save themselves from that fate.
7. Vs 10: Other notes on this verse:
1. Prophetic reference to thundering against God’s enemies fulfilled in 1 Sam 7:10.
2. God’s judgment reaching to the ends of the earth cannot be said to have been fulfilled in David or Solomon.  Must be Christ (Ps 2:8)
8. Applications:
1. God is sovereign in all things.  He really is in control. 
2. God will save and restore the broken in this world.
3. God will guard and protect those who have turned to him in faith.
4. God’s power to make right on the large scale is the same power He uses in our individual lives.

 

 

Discussion Questions:

1. How has God demonstrated His sovereign control in your lives recently?
2. Hannah was looking for God’s rescue in her life and in the world at large.  Messiah was her answer in both areas.
1. What needs restoration in the world at large?
2. What needs restoration in your life?
3. Are there areas in your life that are difficult for you to see in light of God’s goodness?  If so, spend a moment as a family praying for God to show himself in this area.

 

Jesus in the Old Testament 027: Jesus the Better Boaz

Jesus in the Old Testament 027: 

Jesus the Better Boaz

Thesis: Boaz went beyond what the law required of him as a kinsman-redeemer to show self-sacrificing love to Ruth and Naomi.  This brought shame upon him and cost him greatly.  He is a picture of Christ in this action.  However, Christ is a far greater example of costly redemption through His sacrifice on the Cross for us. 

1. Nutshell w/Kids

1. The law of God was concerned with keeping a family going and protect their property, and there were various things that were commanded to make this happen. 

2. Ruth and Naomi needed someone to obey the law and help them in this way. 

3. Boaz went much further, not only meeting the commands of the law but showing love for these women.  

4. His action cost him money that he would never recover and brought shame upon him and his family, but he did it out of love. 

5. In the same way, Jesus meets our deepest needs at great cost to himself, taking on the same of our sin, so that we can spend eternity with Him in heaven. 

2. Deeper w/Adults 

1. Levirate Marriage 

1. Historical Debut: Gen 38

2. Legislative description: Deut 25:5-10

3. Ransom of the indentured, impoverished: Lev 25:47-49

2. Requirements of a Kinsman Redeemer: 

1. Close relative

2. Able to pay the ransom price 

3. Must marry the widow 

4. Mus raise up children for the deceased. 

5. To refuse to do so was a sign of shame

1. God struck Judah’s first son dead for failure to do so. Judah shamed in the manner in which the act was finally done. 

2. Spit in the face in Deut 25

3. Boaz’s fulfillment: Ruth

1. Near relative: 2:19-20

2. But not the nearest: 3:8-13

3. Has the resources 4:

4. Willing to marry the widow, but it’s Ruth, not Naomi. 3: 8-13 above

5. Willing to raise up a child for the deceased (Elimelech) 4:13-17

4. Boaz and Christ (Ruth 4)

1. Vs. 1-3 Satisfying the requirement of a legal proceeding in the gate.  10 men comprise a legal court. 

2. The offer rejected (vs 4-58). 

1. Initially, the nearer redeemer accepts the opportunity to redeem.  He seems to be willing to redeem the land on behalf of Elemelech and marry Naomi. 

1. Naomi is a Jewess.  There is no shame in marrying her. 

2. Naomi has no children, and she is past childbearing age.  There is no danger that his children’s inheritance will be threatened by children from Naomi (vs. 6).

2. When Boaz stipulates that it is Ruth who will be the Levirate wife, The nearer redeemer backs out. 

1. Accepts willingly the shame of not fulfilling the Levirate law (removing sandal)  

2. Would rather have that shame than the humiliation of marrying a foreigner and having a child with her or threatening his children’s inheritance.  Whatever resources he would have used to buy that land would be money that his children would not inherit, and the land would continue on to Naomi’s (Ruth’s) child, so it would not benefit his own children. 

3. The Near Redeemer represents the Law. 

1. Works only rigidly—Naomi’s land, Naomi’s marriage. 

2. Works only for Israel, excludes Gentiles. 

3. Unable to actually solve the problem. Naomi’s heritage would have been a dead-end, even if her land had been restored to her and she had been married.  She is beyond childbearing. 

4. Boaz like Christ (vs 9-12)

1. Acted out of love and went beyond the requirements of the law in taking on the “shame” of marrying a gentile. 

2. Embraced the gentile in the provision of redemption that was, strictly speaking, meant for Israel.  Grafted in. 

3. Buys back and redeems everything that was lost.

4. Actually solves Naomi’s problem.  By marrying Ruth, there will be children, and the first of those children, Obed, is to inherit the land that was owned by Elimelech. 

5. Side Note: Elimelech likely not a grain farmer like Boaz but a shepherd, since it is Elimelech’s land that Obed inherits and then passes to Eli and later to David.  

5. Christ the Better Boaz. 

1. Boaz embraces the shame of marrying a gentile, Christ embraces the same of Crucifixion because of His love for us (Heb 12:2). 

2. Boaz brings one gentile into the blessings of Israel, Christ grafts all believing Gentiles into God’s people (Romans 11:11-12)

3. Boaz restored all that had been lost for one family, but Christ has done this for us in light of all that was lost in the curse (Rom 5:12-16)

4. Boaz raised up one child of promise for Naomi through which her inheritance would be realized.  Christ raised up a multitude of children who will inherit all of Creation (Gal 4:4-7). 

 

Jesus in the Old Testament 025:

Jesus Fights for Us

Josh 5:13-15

 

Thesis: We live in a world of hostility, based both in the physical and spiritual realms. If we try to fight our battles ourselves, we are destined to fail.  Jesus alone is the universal champion of Heaven.  He commands the armies of God and is indomitable.

 

1. Nutshell w/Kids
1. Show the picture of Superman to the kids.
1. What is happening here?
2. Are these people in danger?
3. What will happen to them?
4. How do you know?
5. You believe that these people are going to be okay because you believe that Superman is able to handle whatever danger that might come.
6. Superman is a fiction, but there is a warrior who always wins and who cannot be defeated. What is that? Jesus.
2. In several places in the Bible, we see Jesus as a warrior. How does that make you feel?
3. There is no danger of Him ever losing, “indomitable.”  Jesus fights for you.
4. If Jesus says that he will fight for you, what does that mean?
5. Is there anything that can defeat you if you are walking with Jesus? No.

 

2. Deeper w/Adults
1. Context: Joshua leading the Israelites against Jericho.
1. Up to this moment, he is approaching this as an impending siege, and so is Jericho.

a)    Spies (Ch. 2, Rahab)

b)    City shut up tight (6:1)

2. Joshua prepares the Israelites spiritually

a)    Circumcised again, for they were not circumcised in the wilderness wanderings.

b)    Observed Passover.

3. Entered the land and started eating its fruit after Passover. Manna stops.
1. Josh 5:13
1. Joshua is “by Jericho.” Spying out the land.  Perhaps his army is already encamped in front of it.
2. “A Man,” The Angel of the Lord.  Not so glorious in this appearance that Joshua immediately knows that He is not a normal man. 
3. Sword in his hand. 

a)    Num 22:23, 31

b)    1 Chron 21:15-16

4. “Are you for us or against us” Joshua doesn’t recognize him, so he asks if he is one of his own soldiers or an emissary come from Jericho.
2. Vs 14-15
1. No.  Neither.  Self-revelation, “the commander of the armies of Lord.”
2. Joshua immediately worships him.

a)    We know this isn’t Michael or some other angel.  No angel receives worship (Rev 22:9)

b)    The Angel of the Lord receives worship in several of His encounters, reinforcing the case for a pre-incarnate Christophany.

3. Vs 15: Angel instructs Joshua to take off his sandals because where he is standing is Holy ground.

a)    Cf Ex 3:5

b)    Symbol or respect and honor in the Middle East, not tracking in the dust of the common world around.

4. Joshua asks for instruction.

a)    He has already been scouting out the land and developing a battle plan.

b)    God had already given general instructions for laying siege (Deut 20:1-20)

c)    Now, however, a superior force has landed upon the scene.

d)    Joshua’s response is immediate humility and receptiveness.  Is this our posture of heart in light of the Word of God and indwelling Holy Spirit?

4. The story plays out famously, with the armies of heaven handling the taking down of the wall.  Joshua’s men are only needed for the invasion of the city after the fact.  The battle is won by Jesus and his angelic army.
5. Example 2: 2 Kings 6-7
1. King of Syria sends a contingent of his army to arrest Elisha
2. 6:15 armies of heaven are visible to Elisha, but not to his servant.  His eyes ore opened.
3. 6:24 ff King Ben-Hadad of Syria comes and lays siege to Samaria.
4. People start to starve. King blames Elisha and summons him.
5. Elisha prophecies the rescue of Samaria.
6. 7:3-8.  The armies of heaven frighten the Syrians into abandoning their camp and running away, leaving all their supplies behind.
7. Jesus, the AOTL, is not mentioned, but He is the commander of the armies of heaven, and His armies won the day. The Israelites did nothing.
6. Example 3: 2Kings 19
1. Sennacherib, King of Assyria is on a rampage, conquering nations all around Judah.
2. He defies Judah and the Lord as being impotent to stop him.
3. Hezekiah takes the Sennacerib’s letter and lays it before the Lord in the temple.  It’s God’s problem.
4. Isaiah prophecies God’s reply.
5. Vs 32-34 Don’t worry.  He won’t get close enough to shoot an arrow at Jerusalem.
6. Vs 35: The Angel of the Lord kills 185,000 Assyrian soldiers overnight.

a)    They didn’t get up and fight.  They died in their sleep.

b)    Sennacherib leaves the next morning.

7. Again, Jesus and the armies of heaven in the battle, and God’s people just watch and enjoy his protection.
6. Example 4: Rev 19:11-16
1. Clearest, “revealed” image of Jesus as the commander of the armies of heaven.
2. Sword not in his hand, but coming out of his mouth, the spoken word of the Lord is powerful and effective! (cf Isa 11:4)
3. The armies of heaven, led by Jesus, go and make war.  The church watches from behind.
7. Application:
1. When God says that He will fight for us and that all we have to do is be still, He means it. Rest in His protection.

a)    Ex 14:14

b)    Deut 3:22

c)    Deut 20:4

2. This security continues past the physical realm into our spiritual lives. Romans 8:31-38
3. The weapon of Jesus ins the Word of God (Rev 19).  This weapon is available to us as well.

 

 

Discussion Questions:

1. What battles are you facing?  What do you need protection against today?
2. Have you asked Jesus to fight these battles for you, or are you trying to fight them yourself?
3. The weapon of Jesus is the Word of God.  How can you make use of this weapon in your battles?
4. Spend a moment praying as a family and asking Jesus to fight the battles you’ve mentioned.