The Bible is a rich tapestry of stories, wisdom, and divine revelation. Taking the time to find Christ in the Old Testament Bible study is an exercise worthy of your time. When we think of Christ, our minds often jump to the New Testament, but did you know that Jesus is woven throughout the Old Testament as well? Looking at this aspect of Scripture brings a deeper understanding and appreciation of God’s plan that was from the very start.

The Promise of a Savior

From the opening chapters of the book of Genesis, we see hints of a coming Savior. After Adam and Eve’s sin, God promised that the seed of the woman will crush the serpent’s head (Genesis 3:15). This early prophecy is often seen as the first glimpse of Christ’s coming and His redemptive work. He would be the seed of woman who would crush the head of Satan. In addition to the promise of a Savior, we also see biblical characters and events who are types and foreshadow the coming Messiah.

Types and Shadows

The Old Testament is filled with types and shadows—people, events, feasts, and Temple services foreshadow Jesus’ coming and His works. Consider the story of Abraham and Isaac. When God asks Abraham to sacrifice his beloved son, it’s a shadow or picture of God the Father’s willingness to sacrifice Jesus for us (Genesis 22).

Or consider Joseph, being rejected by his brothers, sold into slavery but later becoming a savior to his people and reuniting with his brothers. Joseph is a type of Christ whose life journey of suffering, exaltation, and the coming redemption is like Jesus’ life. Moses is another type of Christ as he leads the Israelites out of bondage, guiding them out of slavery and into freedom. Like Moses, Jesus has lead us our of bondage to sin and into freedom.

Those are just a few examples, and there are many more you will find as you begin to look for them and then recognize them in the Old Testament. While these types and shadows give us a glimpse of Christ’s character and mission, the prophetic promises provide even clearer and more direct revelations of the coming Messiah.

Prophetic Promises

The prophets of the Old Testament often spoke of a coming Messiah. Isaiah’s prophecies were specific, describing a suffering servant who would take our iniquities (Isaiah 53). Micah tells of a ruler coming from Bethlehem (Micah 5:2), and Jeremiah speaks of a righteous branch from David’s lineage (Jeremiah 23:5-6). All of these prophecies were fulfilled by Jesus the Messiah.

These prophetic promises not only speak of a future Messiah but are also shown in the services and symbols of the Tabernacle and sacrifices, further demonstrating God’s plan for redemption.

The Temple and Sacrifices

The Temple, its sacrifices, and the festivals are full of symbolism pointing to Christ. The sacrificial system set up in Leviticus highlights the process of redemption. It revealed for us the way to draw near to God through repentance, atonement, and sacrifice—fulfilled perfectly by Jesus. The high priest in the Temple, interceded for the people, prefiguring Christ. Today, Jesus our ultimate high priest, is interceding for us in the heavenly Temple.

In addition to the Temple services and sacrifices the biblical festivals and holidays also foreshadow the coming of Jesus. In His first coming, the spring feasts were part of the story. Jesus died on Passover, was buried on Unleavened Bread, and He rose on the Feast of First Fruits.

Finding Christ in the Old Testament continues other books of the Bible.

Psalms and Wisdom Literature

The Psalms and wisdom literature hint at Christ. Psalm 22, for example, speaks of the suffering of Jesus on the cross, with lines such as “They have pierced my hands and my feet” (Psalm 22:16). The wisdom found in Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Job point to the ultimate wisdom and righteousness found in the Messiah.

You can find Christ in the Old Testament in every book. Each time you open to the Old Testament, look for hints of Him!

A Unified Story

Seeing Christ in the Old Testament enhances our understanding of the Bible and the story of redemption. It shows us that Jesus was not just one story among many but was central to God’s plan from the beginning. Knowing this helps deepens our faith and reminds us of the faithfulness of God’s promises throughout history.

Conclusion

By engaging in a Christ in the Old Testament Bible study you will discover shadows and types of Jesus for yourself.  You will understand better with each discovery that Christ was central to God’s plan from the very beginning. Understanding the big picture of the Bible giving us confidence that our faith is built on a firm foundation. As you step into bank in time, you’ll see how all of Scripture points towards the fulfillment in Jesus and His return to rule and reign as King. But that is not all, this study will be drawing you to God and His redemptive plan for you.

As you begin your next Bible study, look for Christ in the Old Testament and begin to create a list for yourself of where and how you see Him. Happy studying!