Old Testament Quotations in the New Testament, Part 2

‘Now in those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” For this is the one referred to by Isaiah the prophet, saying, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make ready the way of the Lord, make His paths straight!'” ’ Matt. 3:1-3

We pick up where we left off in our previous study on Old Testament quotes as used in the New Testament.

Old Testament Quotations in the New Testament

Now in those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” For this is the one referred to by Isaiah the prophet, saying, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make ready the way of the Lord, make His paths straight!'” ’ Matt. 3:1-3

Old Testament quotations in the New Testament. Seems like it would be pretty straight forward, easy to understand and comprehend. Not always, brethren.

‘Now in those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” For this is the one referred to by Isaiah the prophet, saying, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make ready the way of the Lord, make His paths straight!'” ‘ Matt. 3:1-3

We are presently cycling through Old Testament quotes that are the most often cited in the New Testament. The criteria is comprised of either a full or partial quote of the Old Testament verse or a recognizable allusion to the verse.

‘Now in those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” For this is the one referred to by Isaiah the prophet, saying, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make ready the way of the Lord, make His paths straight!'” ‘ Matt. 3:1-3

Midrash, Light and Heavy, Equivalence, Pesher, and Allegorical. Five of seven main categories “theologians” (which ones, you may ask?) classify Old Testament prophecies as they are utilized in the New Testament.

Exodus Case: Fire and Brimstone

“The sun had risen over the earth when Lot came to Zoar. Then the LORD rained on Sodom and Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven, and He overthrew those cities, and all the valley, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground.” Gen. 19:23-25

As promised, we now will offer a summary of our study concerning the evidence found which backs the Biblical text above concerning the fire and brimstone that fell from heaven, upon the cities and her inhabitants. Again, a primary source for this summary will be Lennart Moller’s excellent book, The Exodus Case.

I Have Kept For Myself

 Or do you not know what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel? \”Lord, they have killed Thy prophets, they have torn down Thine altars, and I alone am left, and they are seeking my life.\” But what is the divine response to him? \”I have kept for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.\” Rom. 11:2b-4

 Here in Romans chapter eleven, the apostle Paul, describes the spiritual condition of the physical nation of Israel in his time. His quotes come from 1 Kings 19 and events in the life of the prophet Elijah following his title fight with the prophets of Baal about who was the true God in Israel.

Every Man According To His Deeds

 “But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who will render to every man according to his deeds:” Romans 2:5-6 (NASB)

We’ve a few more forays into the book of Romans before we sally forth into other rich New Testament scriptural soil supplemented by Old Testament quotations. Today we consider our text from Romans 2:6 and the apostle Paul’s citation of the inspired psalmist’s utterance as found in Psalm 62:12. Although Paul does not say, ‘as it is written’, in prefacing his citing of the psalmist, it would be very clear from whom he references in light of who he is addressing (the Jews) in this section of his letter.

Here is the passage in Psalms from which Paul quotes in its context.  “Once God has spoken; twice I have heard this: That power belongs to God; and lovingkindness is Thine, O Lord, for Thou dost recompense a man according to his work.”  (Ps. 62:11-12). We offer here an alternate translation from the Rotherham’s version for your consideration.  “One thing, hath God spoken, two things (there are) which I have heard, that, power, belongeth unto God; and thine, O my Lord, is lovingkindness—for, thou, wilt pay back unto every man—according to his deed.”