God’s prophets endured hardship, persecution and death to tell forth the inspired Word of God. Yet, they did not have the plan of salvation revealed to them. They delivered the key elements without understanding how and to whom they would be applied. Angels also wanted to know how God would save man, but that plan was reserved for Christ’s followers (1 Peter 1:10-12).
Prophets wrote Scripture as the Holy Spirit directed them (2 Peter 1:20-21). Peter indicated they did not comprehend some of the things they wrote but searched their own writings to gain understanding of God’s plan. Jesus told His followers that astonishing truth (Matthew 13:16-17).
Moses wrote of God’s plan for the seed of woman to crush the head of Satan, but he did not realize the seed would be the Christ (Genesis 3:15). Isaiah told of the suffering servant and the glory that would follow, but he did not understand it would take place on the cross (Isaiah 53). David wrote a song anticipating the glorious resurrection that would follow the suffering, but he did not fully appreciate the powerful events (Psalm 16:8-11).
The singer of Israel recorded the words that would be spoken on the cross, but he did not realize who would speak them (Psalm 22). The Messianic prophet spoke of a kingdom into which people from all nations would flow (Isaiah 2:1-5). He also described the painful beating God’s sin-bearer would receive, leaving him unrecognizable (52:13-15). Hosea told of those who had not been God’s people seeing a day in which they would be called sons of the living God (Hosea 1:10; 2:23).
Christians are greatly blessed. We come to know the unmerited favor God bestowed through the offering of His Son (Hebrews 11:39-40). Members of the church receive the very understanding for which the prophets longed. Praise God for the blessings we have in Christ.
