Nepaug Bible Church - http://www.nepaugchurch.org - Pastor's Adult Sunday School Notes - http://www.nepaugchurch.org/bb/bb20011028.htm

SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY (ORGANIZED BIBLE KNOWLEDGE)
Part X: Christology (Doctrine Of Jesus Christ)
B. Christ In The Old Testament
  1. Introduction
    1. If we teach Jesus is the Eternal God Who, as Micah 5:2 says, has His "goings forth" from "antiquity," we should be able to name those "goings forth" to validate our claim of His preexistence as God.
    2. We thus peruse the Old Testament in light of New Testament teachings to validate these "goings forth":
  2. Christ In The Old Testament (I am indebted to Walvoord's word, Jesus Christ Our Lord.)
    1. Jesus Christ was involved with the Triune Godhead in creation, creating as a Member of the Trinity Who spoke the creative commands "Let there be . . ," John 1:3 with Hebrews 1:3; Genesis 1.
    2. Jesus Christ has been involved in preserving and providing for God's creation, Hebrews 1:3.
    3. A number of titles of God used in the Old Testament apply to the New Testament Jesus of Nazareth:
      1. Elohim - This general word for "God" in the Old Testament is applied to Christ by comparing Isaiah 40:3 with Luke 3:4.
      2. Jehovah - (This English rendition of the Hebrew word, "Jahweh" uses the Hebrew consonants of "Jahweh" (i.e., J H W H) with the Hebrew vowels of "Adonai." The word really is not a true Hebrew word, and it was coined out of fear on the part of the Jews for taking the name, "Jahweh" in vain. To this day, Jews see "Jahweh" in the Hebrew text and say "Adonai." Thus, the Jehovah's Witnesses do not adhere even to a real Hebrew name for God!) Jehovah is translated from "Jahweh," which means, "I AM" (cf. Exodus 3:14), and it is used of Christ in Zechariah 12:10b.
      3. Adonai - Literally meaning "Master," and translated "Lord" in the KJV (Upper case first letter followed by lower case letters) is used of Christ in Psalm 110:1 according to Matthew 22:41-45.
      4. Son of God - This title is used of Christ in Psalm 2:7 according to Hebrews 1:5.
      5. First Begotten - Though this term is used in the New Testament (Col. 1:15), it applies to Christ in His existence from eternity past.
      6. Only Begotten - This term is used in the New Testament (Col. 1:16) but applies to Christ in His existence from eternity past.
      7. Angel of Jehovah - The Old Testament appearances of the Angel of Jehovah as deity refer to Jesus Christ according to the following deductive argument:
        1. The Angel of Jehovah is deity in a number of Old Testament passages, cf. Gen. 16:7-13 et al.
        2. He is distinct from the other members of the Trinity, cf. Zechariah 1:12-13.
        3. The Father and the Holy Spirit do not appear in human form in Scripture (to our knowledge).
        4. The Angel of Jehovah as deity ceases to appear after Christ's incarnation as the God-man.
        5. Thus, the appearances of the Angel of Jehovah in the Old Testament in human form are the preincarnate Jesus Christ by way of deduction!
    4. Jesus Christ thus appeared in a number of various Old Testament accounts as follows:
      1. He appeared to Abraham in Genesis 18:1-33 on His way to judge Sodom and Gomorrah.
      2. He appeared and wrestled with Jacob in Genesis 32:24-32 and Hosea 12:3-5.
      3. He appeared to Israel's Elders at Mount Sinai, Exodus 24:9-11.
      4. He appeared as the Captain of the Lord's hosts to Joshua in Joshua 5:13-15.
      5. He appeared to Ezekiel in Babylon when Israel was in bondage, Ezekiel 1:1-28.
      6. He appeared in numerous occasions as the Angel of Jehovah: (a) Christ met Hagar at the well in Gen. 16:7-13 and again in Gen. 21:17; (b) He stopped Abraham from slaying Isaac in Gen. 22:11-18; (c) He guided Abraham's servant to find a wife for Isaac, Gen. 24:7, 40; (d) He tipped Jacob off in a dream to rescue him from Laban's ruthless dealings, Gen. 31:11; (e) He wrestled with Jacob in Gen. 32:24-32; (f) He redeemed Jacob from all of his troubles in his earthly life, Gen. 48:15-16, and (g) we list the other O. T. passages too numerous here to enumerate: Ex. 3:2 with Acts 7:30-35; Ex. 13:21 with 14:19; Ex. 23:20-23; 32:34; 33:2; Num. 20:16; 22:22-35; Jud. 2:1-4; 5:23; 6:11-24; 13:3-23; 34:7; 35:5-6; Eccl. 5:6; Isa. 37:36; 63:9; Zech. 1:9-21; 2:3; 3:1-10; 4:1-7; 5:5-10; 6:4-5 and 12:8.
Lesson: Jesus Christ was INDEED involved in Old Testament history before His earthly Incarnation!