How are Old Testament people, prophets, and leaders saved?

The New Testament is filled with the details of the ONLY way to be saved and to be given eternal life. What is not real clear is how the people prior to the sacrifice on the cross by Jesus Christ could be given salvation. When the Bible tells the story of Adam and Eve there is no sin and all who lived would be given salvation. However, the sin was introduced by Satan in the form of a serpent. So all people were faced with the problem of how to be saved! Once the 10 Commandments were given to Moses by the Lord, it presented a method to be saved- but no human could ever keep all of these commandments. Even prior to the Commandments, there were many faithful followers of the Lord who would be saved and are in heaven at this time. So how did that happen?

The following is a list (in no particular order) of just 17 prominent, faithful servants of the Lord from the Old Testament and why God selected them, out of His mercy and grace, to be saved. Of course there are others that we could include, but this is given to share some of the situations to help us understand how and why they were “gifted” with salvation.

1. ISAIAH- Isaiah chapter 6 verses 6-7. Isaiah had a lofty view of God and the sense of His greatness. Isaiah saw some mighty seraphim (angels) who were calling out to each other. Isaiah then said he was a sinful man and had filthy lips. Then one of the seraphim flew to Isaiah with a burning coal that had been taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. The seraphim touched Isaiah’s lips with the burning coal and said “Now your guilt is removed and your sins are forgiven”. Then in verses 8-9, God commissioned Isaiah and told him to go to be His spokesman.
2. EZEKIEL- Ezekiel chapter 2 verses 1-3. Ezekiel had experienced a great vision of God’s truth (Chapter 1) and was preparing Ezekiel to help the exiles in Babylon. This vision caused Ezekiel to fall to the ground. Ezekiel heard a voice that said “I want to speak to you”. It is written that the Spirit came to Ezekiel and made him stand up, and said “Son of man, I am sending you to the nation of Israel, a rebellious nation. Then in Chapter 3 verses 1-4 The Lord commissioned Ezekiel by having Ezekiel eat a scroll- the instructions from God. Then Ezekiel was sent by God to the people of Israel to give them the messages. He truly was one of God’s chosen.
3. JEREMIAH- Jeremiah chapter 1 verses 4-5. It says that the Lord gave Jeremiah the message that He knew Jeremiah before he was formed in his mother’s womb. “Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations”. Then in verse 9 it says “Then the Lord reached out and touched my mouth and said: Look I have put my words in your mouth!” This is the same pattern that both Isaiah and Ezekiel had experienced.
4. JOB- Job chapter 1 verse 8. Before God permitted Satan to test Job- but not to harm him, God said “have you noticed by servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless- a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil” (NLT- other translations uses the word “upright”). Then is chapter 42, after Job prayed for “his friends” even though they were not kind to Job, the Lord restored Job’s fortunes. The Lord blessed Job in the second half of his life even more than in the beginning.
5. NOAH- Genesis chapter 6 verses 8-9. The Lord said that Noah found favor with the Lord. “Noah was a righteous man, the only blameless person living on earth at the time, and he walked in close fellowship with God.” So God saved Noah and his family to begin populating the earth. In chapter 8 verse 21, God said “I would never again destroy all living things” (NLT).
6. ABRAHAM- Genesis 12 verses 1-3. Abraham is told to leave his native country. God said He would bless Abraham, make him famous, and be a blessing to others. Then God concluded verse 3 with: “All the families on earth will be blessed through you.”

Genesis 15:1- God spoke to Abraham in a vision and dais: “Do not be afraid, Abram, for I will protect you, and your reward will be great”. This is clearly a shield and salvation for Abram. Then in Genesis 17:1-8 the Lord completes His covenant with Abram and changes his name to Abraham.

7. ISAAC- Genesis 26 verses 2-5. God blesses Isaac and tells him that Abraham’s covenant will be passed through Isaac’s descendants. This was after the situation when Abraham was to present Isaac as a sacrifice. But at the last second an angel of the Lord appeared to stop Abraham and to provide a lamb for the sacrifice. Truly Isaac was blessed by God to be one to help fulfill God’s covenant.
8. JACOB- Genesis 32:24-28. Jacob wrestles with God and God changes is name to “Israel”. God blessed Jacob at that point in verse 29 and God’s covenant was passed on to Jacob.
9. JOSEPH- Genesis 37 Joseph’s first dream was given to him by God in verse 5-10 to indicate that God was preparing Joseph for God’s plans. Joseph was spared for a long journey and mission. Then in Chapter 39:2-3 “The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did as he served in the home of his Egyptian master.” The Lord gave Joseph even more dreams to fulfill God’s purpose and plans to set the stage for Jacob’s move to Egypt that lead to Moses birth.
10. MOSES- Exodus 3:1-9. This tells us of Moses encounter with God at the burning bush. Verses 12-15 tell us that God gave Moses his mission. Verse 12: God answered,” I will be with you. And this is your sign that I am the one who has sent you.” However, God choose Moses at birth and in Moses’ voyage on the Nile to where Pharaoh’s daughter found him and cared for Moses. Exodus 4:2-12 God gave Moses all the powers he needed to complete God’s mission and said that He would be with Moses.
11. ZECHARIAH- Zechariah chapter 1 verse 1-11. God calls Zechariah to repentance: “This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies say: Return to me, and I will return to you, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies” (verse 3). God was telling Zechariah not to be like his ancestors and was told not to be “Like Father, like son”- as the Lord had just said He was angry with Zechariah’s ancestors. Then God sent angels to patrol and to speak to Zechariah to help him to go God’s instructions.
12. JOSHUA- Joshua chapter 1:1-9. “My servant Moses is dead. Therefore, the time has come for you (Joshua) to lead these people, the Israelites across the Jordan River into the land I am giving them” (verse 2). The Lord told Joshua many times, as had Moses, to be “strong and courageous”. So the Lord blessed Joshua, made him the leader for His people (Israelites) and protected Joshua so he could complete God’s plan.
13. DAVID- 1 Samuel 16:1. Samuel was told by the Lord to “find a man named Jesse who lives there (Bethlehem), for II have selected one of his sons to be My king.” Then in verse 12 The Lord says “This is the one; anoint him (David)”. Verse 13 states that “the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David from that day on.” David had an unchangeable belief in the faithful and in the forgiving nature of God. David became “a man after God’s own heart”.
14. SOLOMON- 1 Kings 3:3-14. “Solomon loved the Lord and followed all the decrees of his father, David” (verse 3). Then in verse 5, we are told that the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream and asked what Solomon wanted and that the Lord would give it to Solomon. God gave Solomon what he asked for- wisdom. God also bestowed Solomon with fame, riches, and a long life. The Lord also blessed Solomon by allowing him to build the Lord’s Temple.
15. HEZEKIAH- 2 Chronicles 29:11. Isaiah tells Hezekiah that “The Lord has chosen you to stand in His presence to minister to Him and to lead the people in worship and present offerings to Him” (NASV). This was told to Hezekiah because of all he had done to reopen the Temple. Destroy the idols, restore the Passover celebration and restore the sacrifices on the altar of the Lord. Hezekiah was a direct descendant of Solomon’s. These sacrifices were God’s appointed way of approaching Him as the Lord and restoring a right relationship with Him- and to lead to salvation. Other than David, Hezekiah may have been the greatest king of Israel, even with his unwise sharing of temple contents with an enemy. Certainly, Solomon may have been the second greatest, behind his father David, but Solomon’s downfall was very substantial.

Al of these great servants of God led faithful lives but all “Slept with their fathers”.

There have been two whom were “raptured” to heaven and never experienced their normal earthly death.

16. ENOCH- Genesis 5:22-24. Enoch was the father of Methuselah. “Enoch lived in close fellowship with God for another 300 years … (v. 22). “Enoch lived 365 years, walking in close fellowship with God. Then one day he disappeared, because God took him” (vv.23-24). Genesis does not tell us much about Enoch but the writer(s) of Hebrews chapter 11:5-6 adds this: “It was by faith that Enoch was taken up to heaven without dying- he disappeared, because Good took him. For before he was taken up, he was known as a person who pleased God. And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to Him must believe that God exists, and that He rewards those who sincerely seek Him.” That certainly described Enoch!
17. ELIJAH- 1 Kings 17-19; 21 and 2 Kings 1. Elijah’s single-minded commitment to God shocks and challenges us. He was sent to confront- not comfort. And Elijah spoke God’s words to a king who often rejected his message just because he brought it. Elijah chose to carry out his ministry for God alone and paid for that decision by experiencing isolation from others who were also faithful to God. However, God worked an overwhelming miracle through Elijah in defeating the prophets of Baal, which reads like a true con situation. 2 Kings 2:11 tells us that a chariot of fire appeared, drawn by horses of fire and drove between Elijah and Elisha, and carried Elijah in a whirlwind into heaven. This rapture appears to have a special meaning as the Bible records Elijah’s appearance twice after his going directly to heaven.

Matthew 17:3 indicated that Elijah appeared with Moses in the Transfiguration scene, both talking with Jesus. Then in Revelation 11:3-4, it tells of two prophets who were given by God power to be witnesses during the Tribulation to proclaim God message for 1,260 days. This seems to fulfill Malachi’s prophecy in Malachi 4:5-6, which named Elijah to come “before the great and dreadful day of the Lord’s arrives. His preaching will turn the hearts of fathers to these children, and the hearts of children to their fathers”. This is exactly what these two Revelation prophets (Moses seems to be the other) did.

Again this only describes the way these prophets and leaders were “saved”. It does not directly speak of the other Old Testament people and how they may have been saved. However, the key characteristics of these prophets and leaders are their faithfulness, commitment, willingness to serve the Lord, love for God, and love for others- and willingness to give their life for the Lord in His service

GOD’S WORD DELIGHTS

We experience joy as we follow God’s Word. The theme of Psalm 119 is to delight in the Word of God. So when we hear the word “delight”, what comes to mind? How about joy and happiness? We know that the pursuit of happiness is one of the three aspects of the Declaration of Independence. The other two are life and liberty. Many people want the liberty to pursue happiness their way without any thought of God. There is even a company whose slogan is: “Have it your way”. Yet God created us and knows what will bring us contentment and joy. God has revealed that through His Word, and when we follow His Word, we experience a joy far beyond any human pursuit of happiness. God’s Word is not an academic exercise. It is a matter of applying God’s Word to our life, living by His commandments. We are entering the happiest, joist time of the year and as we think about the real reason for the season, it should be the most “delightful” time of our lives.

Read Psalm 119:1-3

Each verse in this longest psalm is built around a different word which is a synonym for the word of God. The word “law” occurs 25 times; “word” appears 23 times; “statutes” and “commandments” are used 22 times each; “surety, appointment and faithfulness” are used once. The basic theme of the psalm is the law of God. The psalm rhymes in the original Hebrew, and it is an acrostic.

The poet sang the praise of the law under all kinds of circumstances: persecution, false accusation, temptation, and intellectual doubt. Psalm 19:7-10 is restated in Psalm 119. The author is listed as anonymous but some suggest Ezra, who was the priest and poet after the Temple was rebuilt (Ezra 6:14-15). The Law is not a substitute for God, but a guide to doing His Will. It is not a burden to the psalmist but a joy. The Law enables the poet to live in communion with God. The “Statutes” represent the written Law of God. The “Word” is a dynamic communication of God’s Will for mankind. Sometimes the Law is also presented as “promise”. The point of the psalm is that obedience to God’s Law is the way to happiness. The poet asked divine help in understanding and keeping the Law (vv.1-8).

God’s blessing is achieved by a person’s lifestyle, which is described as blameless. Being “blameless” means to stand before God without having fault by living according to God’s instruction, as indicated in verse one!

Repetitive meditation on the beauty of God’s Word and how it helps us stay pure and grow in faith. Psalm 119 has 22 carefully constructed sections, each corresponding to a different letter in the Hebrew alphabet and each verse beginning with the letter of its section. Almost every verse mentions God’s Word. Such repetition was common in the Hebrew culture. People did not have personal copies of the Scripture to read as we do. So God’s people memorized His Word and passed it along orally. The structure of this psalm allowed for easy memorization. Remember, God’s Word, the Bible, is the only sure guide for living a pure life.

So what do you believe is the purpose of the Law? (The Law gives us instructions on what is sin. The law does not save us, but tells us what sin is so we can ask for God’s forgiveness. Remember, Abraham was a child of God and he had neither the Law nor Jesus – yet.)

Read Psalm 119: 4-6

The psalmist moves from talking about God’s Word to speaking directly to God in verse 4-6. The psalmist addressed God Himself, the One who reveals His precepts, which He requires that all people diligently keep. The author’s words reflect God’s authority as the creator to direct and instruct His creation (us) in the way that is best, both in the sense of what is according to His perfect character and will, and what is best for us. Doing this, His intention is for us to reach our highest potential. To do this requires obedience that acknowledges God’s authority, keeping His precepts diligently and confessing our shortcomings. The word “precepts” is used 21 times in Psalm 119 and refers to particular rules governing thinking or acting. God gives precepts to help us learn how to think and live in ways that reflect His character and bring honor to Him. The psalmist passionately desired to obey God’s Word.

In reading verse 5 and 6, it is hard at times to distinguish where the psalmist’s testimony ends and prayer begins. In verse 5 the words “if only” imply a desire that is not completely fulfilled. The psalmist’s desire was for his commitment to God and His Word to be singular and unshakable. The prayer of the psalmist was that he might keep God’s statutes. The Hebrew word “chog”, translated “statutes” or “decree” means what was clearly established, appointed or enacted such as a law, commandment, or decree. In relation to God, the term denotes binding commands or laws that God requires His people to obey.

The psalmist emphasized all God’s command. So many people (Christians and non-Christians alike) seem to think that God’s Word is like a cafeteria line where they can pick and choose what they want to follow. In using the word “all”, the psalmist rejected any such line of faulty reasoning. Are we smarter than the Creator- God? This points to the personal application we must make if God is truly our God. We will have no cause for being ashamed.

Read Psalm 119: 7-8

A sincere heart has the meaning of being straight or level as opposed to being twisted or crooked. It aligns in meaning with God’s “righteous judgments”. It means that one’s thought or actions are in accordance with God’s standards. God’s Word reflects the character of God, especially righteousness. The psalmist praise was done with a sincere heart. The psalmist’s praise was from his learning God’s judgments or ordinances to give the security that people need. God is faithful (always consistent); so we can trust that His judgements always provide us with the right way to live. We need to have no fear when we live according to God’s ways. The first step is salvation- repentance and placing faith in Jesus Christ for forgiveness of our sins.

The result of praising God for His righteous judgements for the psalmist- and for all people today who are wise- was a promise that he would keep God’s statutes and a plea that God would not abandon him. Verse 8, “I will keep your statutes” is a promise, a vow, or a goal. To the extent we lean on God’s presence, we’ll obey His commands. This is true today as it has always been. We must lean on God’s presence and power to obey His commands. We sometimes fall short- despite of our best intentions due to our sinful nature. We need to thank God for sending Jesus to pay the penalty for our sins and through the power of His Holy Spirit’s indwelling presence we can live lives of obedience to His Word.

WHY SHOULD I TRUST THE BIBLE?

The Bible has long been the “best-selling book” in the world, and especially here in our country. However, the buying of the book and affirming its value does not mean people even read it –let alone build their lives on it…or find it reliable. Certainly, many want to dismiss it and Christianity saying they are based on a flawed document and principles. But the Bible continually shows us it trustworthiness and reliability, and we can trust it in all matters. We recently studied Psalms 139 and 19. Now we turn to Psalm 119, the longest psalm (and the longest chapter in the Bible), and it is also longer than 30 entire books in the Bible. It is comprised of 22 stanzas, and each stanza begins with a successive letter in the Hebrew alphabet. The acrostic psalm lifts up the wonders and perfections of God’s Word. But more importantly, Psalm 119 points us to the benefits we receive as we rely on the truths of Scripture. The theme of this lesson is-“The only safe place to build our lives in on God’s Word”.

Read Psalm 119:137-144

This psalm is a love poem written about the Law of God. It poetically brings forth the virtues and practical value of the Word of God. Most believe this poem was written by Ezra, in a time of persecution, perhaps during a period when idol worshippers were in charge, and the worshippers of Yahweh were on the run (vv. 8, 139, 141, 143, 153, and 154). Even in the midst of this extreme trials and hardship, the psalmist praises the Law of God “as his most precious treasure (vv. 72, 127), as his source of joy and delight (vv. 16, 24, 47, and 70), as the goal of his knowledge and standard of conduct in his life (vv. 12, 26, 64, and 68), and as the object of his love (v. 47). This breakdown by verses helps us to know that the psalmist had a love affair with the Word of God- and helps us to more fully understand Psalm 119.

Though the Bible was once regarded as a reliable source of principles for life and even government, it is no longer. What are some reasons people question the reliability of the Bible? (They don’t know what the Bible says. They don’t believe it. It has fairy tails or they are just stories.)How does knowing these reasons help us understand the Bible? (Helps our belief, helps us to talk with others about the Bible.) People often say, “You can’t trust the Bible. After all, it has been changed so many times over the years. And it is disproved by science.” Nothing could be further from the truth. Of all the ancient manuscripts considered trustworthy by scholars, the Bible is the best attested and most reliable work in existence today. And where history and the Bible seemed to disagree, further archaeological study has repeatedly vindicated the Bible. Many points that science uses to discredit the Bible have been shown false, and more will come as God chooses to reveal them. (Check the comments of the recent Ham vs. Nye debate.) Where science and the Bible seem in conflict, there is either a misunderstanding of the Bible, or science still has more to learn.

However, one need not prove the Bible, for the Bible proves itself. Biblical principles guided our Founding Fathers as they created the greatest (not perfect) form of government in history. In addition, lives built upon the principles in Scripture are like sturdy steel ships that safely sail the stormy seas of life. The psalmist answers any thought that there is no absolute standard of right or wrong with – you are righteous, Lord. Righteous simply means morally right, correct, or proper. Everything God does is by the Book, for He wrote the Book. One of the unifying themes of the Bible is that God is the standard of rightness in the universe. His judgments and decrees are altogether trustworthy. So the Bible is something to be obeyed. Obeying the law, as presented by the Bible, establishes fellowship with the living God. It also provides light and guidance. The psalms’ meaning is clearly apparent to those who read it thoroughly.

Read Psalm 119:1-8

In 2 Timothy 3:16, we are told- “All Scripture is inspired by God”. The Scripture is the product of God’s Holy Spirit working through people and is profitable. The Scriptures are God’s Word, in God’s Word we hear God’s voice, and God’s voice brings healing. Psalm 107:20 says, “He sent His Word and healed them; He rescued them from the Pit”. One key point of this psalm is that obedience to God’s law is the way to happiness. The poet asked divine help in understanding and keeping the law (vv.1-8). God’s Word in one’s heart brings joy and protects the believer from sin (vv. 9-16).

The law is not a substitute for God but a guide to doing His Will. It is not a burden to the psalmist but a joy. The “statues” represent the written law of God. The “word” is a dynamic communication of God’s Will for mankind. Sometimes the law is also presented as “promise”. Each verse in Psalm 119 is built around a different word which is a synonym for the Word of God. The word “law” occurs 25 times; “word” appears 23 times; “statues” and “commandments are used 22 times; and “surety”, “appointment” and “faithfulness” are used once. So the basis theme of the psalm is the law of God. The psalm sang the praise of the law under all kinds of circumstances, persecution, false accusation, temptation and intellectual doubt. The psalmist is writing a repetitive meditation on the beauty of God’s Word and how it helps us stay pure and grow in faith with a sincere heart. Such repetition of the use of God’s Word was common in the Hebrew culture. People did not have personal copies of the Scriptures, so God’s people memorized His Word and passed it along daily. The structure of this psalm allowed for easy memorization.

As believers, we need to daily “seek Him with all our heat”. We might start with Matthew 5-7, which reveals how believers behave in God’s kingdom.  Then go to Romans 6-8 that examines our sin problem and how to overcome it. Next turn to Ephesians 4-6 and learn how to have godly relationships in the church, in the home, and at work, and how to put on an all-important armor of God that is needed to defeat the devil. Verse 2 tells us that “Happy are those” who daily seek God in the pages of His Word. Building our lives upon God’s Word certainly works, for it will lead us to happiness like a laser targeting system will lead a missile to its target. God’s Word truly is the only safe place to build our lives, and it is true for everyone! In conclusion, we can trust the Bible because of all the promises of the Bible that has already been fulfilled and all of the witnesses of the people that have lived before us. So it is reliable and trustworthy but also the lives of those –like us- who follow its decrees, precepts, and instructions are witness that we can trust the Bible.

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