SHARING THE GOSPEL. SALVATION IN THE OLD TESTAMENT.
Max begins with a brief message on sharing the gospel. Then, we discuss salvation in the Old Testament compared to the New Testament.
Comments (8)
In this episode at least, I don't think Pharoah had particularly evil plans. He thought Sarah was Abram's sister because he was lied to by Abram. Regardless, plagues were sent to return the wife to the husband.
It's hard to know what Pharaoh was up to. We are left to speculate, as the text doesn't give us enough information.
Regardless of Pharoah's intent or actions . . I assume God protected Sarah in some fashion (by the plagues that visited Pharoah's house?), given that she was such an important part of God's plan for the future. I am a big fan of Sarah and Rebekah. They are an interesting study in themselves.
It seems unusual that Pharaoh did not punish Abraham and Sarah for deceiving him. It appears he sent them on their way.
It's interesting when you compare Pharaoh taking Sarah and Abimelech taking Sarah. In the case of Pharaoh, Pharaoh said he didn't touch her, in the case of Abimelech, God said Abimelech didn't touch her. This leads me to question whether or not Pharaoh told the truth.
You mentioned the sins of Abraham . . what immediately came to mind for me is when he gave up Sarah to Pharoah's house . . lying by saying she was his sister . . to save himself from the Egyptians. Pharoah returned her, understanding the power of God better than Abraham in this instance. Abraham failed this test of faith . . which we all do at one point or another . . establishing again that all men sin and fall short of the glory of God.
Valuable study and understanding. Thank You Reg. There are many "New Testament-only" (No salvation BEFORE Jesus Christ, as opposed to no salvation without Jesus Christ) and "Old Testament-only" (Jesus was not Messiah/God) false teachers out there. The Word is one unified testimony of Jesus Christ from Genesis to Revelation. I remember when I fully grasped this . . and passages in both NT and OT I had read previously with little understanding started to reveal themselves to me. Here a little . . there a little. Simeon and Anna are the most obvious examples in scripture (Luke 2:25-38) of "Old Testament" believers who placed their hope in Messiah . . and lived to see Him on the temple steps. John the Baptist is another. There were many others who became his followers while he walked among us. My understanding is that Old Testament believers who died prior to Jesus' first coming remained in Abraham's Bosom/Paradise section of Hell prior to the Christ descending into Hell after the Crucifixion. Parable of Lazarus and the thief crucified with Jesus speak to this.
There seems to be a special provision for believers before Christ. And, as you stated that appears to be a place called Abraham's bosom/Paradise.