A Biblical Vision, Part I: Mastering the Old Testament Witness to Christ

Ses s i on 7: Gent i l e I nc l us i on i n Ol d Tes tament Mes s i an i c Prophecy 119

4. Gentiles are included within the Messianic prophecies quoted and written by the Apostles. These give us clear understanding in the relationship of Gentiles to the covenant promise of God.

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The Priority of Promise in the Old Testament

There are six direct messianic predictions in the Pentateuch: two in the pre-patriarchal times (Gen. 1-11), two major ones in the patri archal era (Gen. 12-50), and two dominating ones in the Mosaic epoch (Exodus - Deuteronomy). All six are interconnected and relate to the promise-plan of God that is the main backbone of the narra tive and theology of the OT. The first two prophecies in these five books of the law declared that the coming man of promise would be from the “offspring” of a woman (Gen. 3.15), but he would also later on be none less than God come to dwell among the families of Shem (9.27). The second set of promises announced that there would be two marvelous results that would accompany the coming of this man of promise. By means of Abraham’s offspring, blessing would be mediated to all the families of the earth (Gen. 12.3). However, as the plan gathered more specificity and was attached particularly to one of Jacob’s sons, namely Judah, and it became clear that this coming one would be given not only the rule and authority over all the nation of Israel, but also authority over the nations (49.10).

~ Walter Kaiser. The Messiah In the Old Testament . p.36.

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II. The Promise to Abraham and the Importance of the Unity of God’s Divine Revelation

A. Through the promise, the one true God reveals his intention for his universe to his own people (it is personal revelation)

1. He discloses himself in the revelation; the promise concentrates first and foremost on the nature of who God is.