The Grace of God in the Old Testament (2)

Introduction. (John 1:14-17). We noted this morning the statement in vs. 17 “Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” We have seen, however, that grace is a theme that runs throughout theÊ Old Testament. This is seen clearly in The Priestly Blessing: “The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace” (Num. 6:24-26, which the priests were to proclaim over the people. This blessing in part is preserved in the oldest known biblical text, a silver scroll pedant dated to 600 BC. LetÕs end our study by considering some ways in which the Old Testament teaches us about grace.

III. The Old Testament teaches us about grace.

A       The Law was our “tutor” (Gal. 3:24).

1        It was a “shadow” of things to come (Heb. 10:1).

B       It taught the principle of obedience.

1        “If a man does, he shall live by them” (Lev. 18:4-5).

2        “The righteousness of the law” (Ezek. 20:10-21; Neh. 9:28-29; Rom. 10:4-5).

3        Showed the need for “a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness” (Jon. 4:2).

C        Blood atonement for the soul (Lev. 17:10-12).

1        Blood sacrifices brought forgiveness.

2        “Shall be forgiven” (Lev. 4:13-20; 4:26; 4:30; 4:35; 5:10; 5:13; 5:16; 5:18; 6:7; 19:22; Num. 15:26; 15:28).

3        Was this forgiveness by merit? No!

4        It was the grace and mercy of God.

D       It is God who justifies (Exod. 23:7; Rom. 8:33b).

IV. Old Testament grace anticipates Christ.

A.      ChristÕs blood atoned for all sin (Heb. 9:15).

1.      God “passed over” sins (Rom. 3:25-26).

2.      Animal sacrifices and Christ (Heb. 10:1-5).

•         DidnÕt make perfect (vs. 1).

•         Reminder of sin (vs. 3).

•         Could not take away sins (vs. 4).

•         A body prepared (vs. 5; cf. Col. 2:16-17 “body is of Christ” (KJV). Gr. Soma.

B.      How did “grace and truth” come with the New Covenant? (John 1:17).

1.      Paul says the same (Rom. 6:13-14).

•         But there is law in Christ (1 Cor. 9:21).

•         There was grace under Moses.

2.      The gospel is a system of grace.

•         It pours out grace (Zech. 12:10; 13:1).

•         It pours forgivenessÊ (Jer. 31:31-34; Heb. 10:7-12). Ê