Discovering Jesus in the Old Testament
Genesis to Malachi, one week at a time. Each week is a complete study: the key verse, the scene as it happened, a closer look at the details, the thread that leads to Christ, further scriptures to dig into, and a prayer to carry into your week. Take a year — and never read the Old Testament the same way again.
Every reference opens in our Bible so you can read the full passage as you go.
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The Bible does not begin with an argument for God's existence; it begins with His voice. Ten times in Genesis 1 we read 'and God said' — and each time, reality obeys. Light, sky, sea, land, life: nothing is forged or fought for, as in the creation myths of Israel's neighbours. Everything is simply spoken. The opening page of scripture introduces a God whose word does not describe reality — it creates it.
Look closer at the shape of the chapter. Days one to three form realms — light and dark, sea and sky, land; days four to six fill them — sun and moon, fish and birds, animals and humanity. This is not a lab report; it is a temple being furnished, and on the sixth day God places His image in it. In the ancient world, a king set images of himself across his territory to declare his rule. God does the same — with people. You were made to be the living evidence of whose world this is.
Then John begins his Gospel by rewriting this very chapter: 'In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... All things were made by him' (John 1:1-3). The voice that said 'let there be light' was not an impersonal force. He had a face before He had a manger. Paul says it plainly: 'by him were all things created... and by him all things consist' (Colossians 1:16-17). The One holding every atom together right now is the One who would later let human hands drive nails through His. Genesis 1 is your first sight of Jesus — not yet named, already speaking.
Trace the Word's voice through scripture: Psalms 33:6-9 (the breath of His mouth), Hebrews 1:1-3 (upholding all things by the word of His power), and Revelation 19:13 — where He returns bearing the name 'The Word of God'.
Father, before anything existed, Your Son was — and everything that exists came through Him. Teach me this week to hear the same voice that made the stars speaking in the scriptures, and let me live as Your image in Your world. Amen.
“And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.”
Shorter paths: the 30-day reading plan covers the highlights, and Jesus in Every Book gives you the whole sweep in one sitting.