Day 238 - FOUNDATION STONES IN A YEAR

Read: Genesis 22: 5; Hebrews 11: 19; Isaiah 26; Hosea 13

Yesterday we looked at just a few Old Testament scriptures that speak

very clearly and directly about the resurrection of the dead. Before we

move on I would like to cement and consolidate this very important

foundation by looking at just a few other Old Testament verses that speak

prophetically and symbolically about the resurrection.

In Genesis 22: 5, one of our readings for today, Abraham, who had been

asked by God to sacrifice his son, Isaac, makes a statement that seems to

indicate a belief in God’s ability to bring the dead back to life. Stay here

with the donkey, the lad and I will go yonder and worship, and we will

come back to you.

The writer to the Hebrews comments upon this event. He considered that

God was able even to raise him (Isaac) from the dead, from which,

figuratively speaking, he did receive him back.

Two incredible prophecies come from Isaiah and Hosea. Your dead shall

live; together with my dead body they shall arise. Awake and sing you

who dwell in dust; for your dew is like the dew of herbs, and the earth

shall cast out the dead (Isaiah). And, I will ransom them from the power

of the grave; I will redeem them from the earth. O Death, I will be your

plagues! O Grave, I will be your destruction (Hosea). Again, we see

Yahweh, God of Israel, fully committed to life and the living and to

bringing life out of death.

I’m sure by now you are quite surprised at how much the Old Testament

had to say about resurrection. Let’s clinch our study for today with the

words of Jesus, related back to the prophet Jonah and showing that he

was a symbolic type of the resurrection of Christ. Then some of the

scribes and Pharisees said to Him [Jesus], "Teacher, we wish to see a sign

from You." But He answered them, "An evil and adulterous generation

asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the

prophet Jonah. For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the

belly of the sea monster, so for three days and three nights the Son of

Man will be in the heart of the earth. (Matthew 12: 38-40).

 

Prayer

Father, thank You for the overwhelming evidence You are supplying to me

that life, not death, is what You are all about.