Week 1 Study Companion

Old Testament 2026

Biblical Context & Deep Dive

Introduction to the Old Testament: Discovering Christ in Every Page

The Road to Emmaus: Our Journey Too

Let's start where two discouraged disciples found their hope rekindled. Luke 24:27 tells us: "And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself."

Picture this scene: Jesus himself, walking alongside these travelers, opening up the Old Testament like a treasure map where every path leads to Him. What an incredible Bible study that must have been! And here's the beautiful part, that same journey of discovery is available to us today as we open these ancient texts.

The Old Testament: A Portrait Painted Over Centuries

The Old Testament isn't just a collection of stories about ancient people trying to follow God. It's a masterfully woven tapestry where every thread, every law, every prophet, every ceremony, points forward to the Messiah. As we read with eyes to see, Christ emerges from these pages in stunning clarity.

Think of it like those paintings where you step back and suddenly see the full image. Up close, you see individual stories: Abraham, Moses, David. But step back, and you see Jesus, the promised Seed, the greater Prophet, the eternal King.

Types and Shadows: Heaven's Teaching Method

The concept of "types and shadows" is God's brilliant way of teaching us about Christ before He came. A "type" is a person, event, or object in the Old Testament that foreshadows something greater in the New Testament, the "antitype" or fulfillment.

The Brass Serpent: A Stunning Preview

Remember when the Israelites were dying from serpent bites in the wilderness? God told Moses to lift up a bronze serpent on a pole, and everyone who looked at it would live (Numbers 21:4-9). Seems like an odd cure, right?

But Jesus himself explains this shadow in John 3:14-15: "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life."

The parallels are breathtaking:

The problem: Deadly serpent bites / Our deadly sin
The solution: A serpent lifted up / Christ lifted up on the cross
The requirement: Simply look and live / Simply believe and live
The scope: Available to all who would look / Available to all who would believe

The brass serpent couldn't actually heal anyone, it had no power in itself. It was the looking in faith that saved them, trusting God's promise. Similarly, we're saved not by our works but by looking to Christ in faith.

Manna: The Bread of Life

Every morning for forty years, God provided manna, bread from heaven, to sustain Israel in the wilderness (Exodus 16). This wasn't just about physical survival; it was a living parable.

Jesus makes the connection explicit in John 6:31-35: "Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died... I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst."

Notice what Jesus is teaching:

Manna sustained physical life temporarily; Christ sustains spiritual life eternally
Manna came from heaven; Christ came from heaven
Manna had to be gathered daily; we must come to Christ daily
Manna was God's gracious provision; Christ is God's ultimate provision

The Israelites couldn't store up manna (it would rot), teaching them daily dependence on God. We too must come to Christ fresh each day, not relying on yesterday's spiritual experience.

The Passover Lamb: "Behold, the Lamb of God"

Perhaps no shadow is more powerful than the Passover lamb. When God prepared to deliver Israel from Egypt, He commanded each household to sacrifice a spotless lamb and apply its blood to their doorposts. The angel of death would "pass over" every home covered by the blood (Exodus 12).

Paul connects the dots for us in 1 Corinthians 5:7: "For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed."

The details are precise:

The lamb must be without blemish (Exodus 12:5) / Christ was without sin (1 Peter 1:19)
The lamb was examined for four days (Exodus 12:3-6) / Jesus was publicly examined during His final week
No bone was broken (Exodus 12:46) / No bone of Jesus was broken (John 19:36)
The blood provided protection from death / Christ's blood provides salvation from eternal death

Every year when faithful Israelites celebrated Passover, they were rehearsing the gospel, even if they didn't fully understand it yet.

More Shadows to Explore

The Old Testament is rich with these prophetic pictures:

The Tabernacle/Temple: The entire structure pointed to Christ, the way into God's presence. The veil that separated the Holy of Holies? It was torn when Jesus died (Matthew 27:51), showing that He opened the way to God.

The High Priest: Entered God's presence once a year with blood for the people's sins (Leviticus 16). Jesus is our great High Priest who entered heaven itself with His own blood, once for all (Hebrews 9:11-12).

The Scapegoat: On the Day of Atonement, one goat was sacrificed and another sent into the wilderness, symbolically carrying away the people's sins (Leviticus 16:20-22). Christ both died for our sins and carried them away forever.

Melchizedek: This mysterious priest-king who blessed Abraham (Genesis 14:18-20) appears as a type of Christ in Psalm 110:4 and Hebrews 7, showing Jesus as our eternal priest-king.

The Prophets Saw Him

Beyond these ceremonial shadows, the prophets spoke directly about the coming Messiah with stunning specificity:

Isaiah 53 describes His suffering in detail written 700 years before the cross
Micah 5:2 names Bethlehem as His birthplace
Psalm 22 quotes His words from the cross and describes crucifixion before it was invented
Daniel 9:24-27 provides a timeline pointing to His coming
Zechariah 12:10 foretells they would "look on me, on him whom they have pierced"

These aren't vague predictions that could fit anyone. They're specific, verifiable, and fulfilled in Jesus of Nazareth.

Trusting the Text: The Bible's Remarkable Reliability

Here's something wonderful to consider: the Old Testament we read today is remarkably well-preserved. The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls in 1947 gave us manuscripts 1,000 years older than what we had before. When scholars compared them, they found the text had been copied with extraordinary accuracy.

The Jewish scribes who copied Scripture treated it with such reverence that they had elaborate rules: counting every letter, checking every line, destroying any copy with errors. They knew they were handling God's Word.

This means when we read Isaiah or Psalms or Genesis, we're reading essentially the same text Jesus read in the synagogue. The same words that taught Him, that He quoted, that He said testified about Him (John 5:39).

The Sufficiency of Scripture

One of the most encouraging truths is that the Bible itself is sufficient to teach us about Christ and salvation. Paul writes in 2 Timothy 3:15-17: "the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work."

Notice: Scripture makes us "complete" and "equipped for every good work." It's not lacking. It's not insufficient. The Old and New Testaments together give us everything we need to know God and follow Christ.

When Jesus appeared to those disciples on the Emmaus road, He didn't give them new scripture or additional revelation. He opened their eyes to understand the Scriptures they already had. That's what the Holy Spirit does for us today, He illuminates the sufficient Word we've been given.

Practical Steps for Your Study

As you journey through the Old Testament, here are some ways to discover Christ:

Ask "Where is Jesus?" in every passage. He's there, sometimes obviously, sometimes subtly.
Look for patterns: Deliverance, sacrifice, mediation, covenant, kingdom, these themes all point to Christ.
Pay attention when the New Testament quotes the Old. The apostles are showing us connections we might miss.
Read with expectation. Jesus said the Scriptures testify about Him (John 5:39). Believe Him and look for that testimony.
Let Scripture interpret Scripture. The Bible is its own best commentary.

The Joy of Discovery

There's something deeply satisfying about seeing these connections. It's like finding hidden treasure that was there all along. Each discovery strengthens our faith because we see God's consistent plan unfolding across centuries.

The Old Testament isn't a separate story that got replaced. It's Act One of the same story, setting up everything that would be fulfilled in Christ. Every sacrifice pointed to His sacrifice. Every prophet pointed to the Prophet. Every king pointed to the King.

And the beautiful part? This isn't just academic study. As we see Christ more clearly in the Old Testament, we understand Him more deeply in our lives today. The same God who provided manna provides for us. The same God who protected Israel under the blood protects us under Christ's blood. The same God who promised a Messiah keeps His promises to us.

Moving Forward

As you study the Old Testament this year, you're not just learning ancient history. You're discovering Christ on every page, seeing God's faithful plan unfold, and building your faith on the solid foundation of Scripture itself.

The words on these pages are trustworthy. They've been preserved through millennia. They've transformed countless lives. They reveal Jesus Christ, "the same yesterday and today and forever" (Hebrews 13:8).

So open your Bible with confidence. The Old Testament is waiting to show you Jesus in ways you've never seen before. And like those disciples on the Emmaus road, your heart will burn within you as the Scriptures are opened.

"And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself." - Luke 24:27

Going Deeper: A Thoughtful Perspective

Deepening Our Confidence in God's Word: The Reliability of the Bible

A Reassuring Discovery

Many of us have wondered: Can we really trust that the Bible we read today accurately reflects what was originally written? This is an honest question, and the good news is that archaeological discoveries over the past century have provided remarkable reassurance.

The Dead Sea Scrolls: A Stunning Confirmation

In 1947, a shepherd boy searching for a lost goat near the Dead Sea made one of the most significant archaeological discoveries in history. Hidden in caves were ancient scrolls, including a complete copy of Isaiah and portions of nearly every Old Testament book (except Esther). These manuscripts dated from 150 BC to 68 AD.

Here's what makes this discovery so powerful: Before 1947, our oldest Hebrew manuscripts dated to around AD 900 (the Masoretic texts). The Dead Sea Scrolls gave us manuscripts that were 1,000 years older. When scholars compared them side-by-side, what did they find?

The texts were approximately 95% identical. The differences were primarily spelling variations and accent marks that naturally evolved in the language over time. Most importantly: no major doctrines were changed.

Think about what this means: Over a millennium of hand-copying, the biblical text was preserved with extraordinary accuracy. This wasn't accidental, it reflects the deep reverence Jewish scribes had for God's Word and their meticulous copying practices.

What This Means for Us

The Dead Sea Scrolls confirm that when we read Isaiah's prophecies about the Messiah, or the Psalms that Jesus Himself quoted, or the Law that shaped God's covenant people, we're reading essentially the same words that believers read 2,000+ years ago.

For example, Isaiah 53, that beautiful prophecy of the suffering servant, has been preserved with remarkable accuracy. When we read, "But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed" (Isaiah 53:5), we can be confident these are the same words that pointed people to Christ centuries before His birth.

The Bible's Complete Story of Salvation

A Unified Narrative

One of the most beautiful aspects of Scripture is how it tells one cohesive story from Genesis to Revelation, the story of God's love for humanity and His plan of redemption.

The Old Testament establishes:

Our need for salvation (Genesis 3, the fall)
God's covenant promises (Genesis 12, 15, 17, promises to Abraham)
The sacrificial system pointing forward to ultimate redemption (Leviticus)
Prophecies of a coming Messiah (Isaiah 7:14, 9:6-7, 53; Micah 5:2; Zechariah 9:9)

The New Testament reveals:

The fulfillment of those promises in Jesus Christ
The way of salvation through faith in Him
The establishment of the new covenant
Our hope of eternal life

Clear About What Matters Most

The Bible is wonderfully clear about the essential truths of salvation:

Our Condition: "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23)

God's Solution: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16)

How We Receive It: "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9)

The Assurance It Brings: "I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life" (1 John 5:13)

These truths aren't hidden or incomplete, they're stated clearly and repeatedly throughout Scripture.

The Manuscript Evidence

Beyond the Dead Sea Scrolls, we have:

5,800+ Greek New Testament manuscripts, some dating to the second century
Thousands of quotations from early church fathers
Ancient translations into Latin, Syriac, and other languages

This wealth of evidence allows scholars to reconstruct the original text with extraordinary confidence. No other ancient document comes close to this level of manuscript support.

A Personal Reflection

When we approach the Bible with confidence in its reliability, something wonderful happens: we can focus on encountering God through His Word rather than worrying about whether we can trust it.

The prophet Isaiah wrote: "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever" (Isaiah 40:8). This promise has been fulfilled before our eyes through archaeological discovery and careful preservation.

Moving Forward with Confidence

As you read Scripture, remember:

The text has been remarkably preserved across millennia
The core message of salvation is clear and complete
God has faithfully protected His Word so that every generation can know Him

You can open your Bible with confidence, knowing that you're reading God's trustworthy revelation of Himself and His plan for humanity. The story is complete. The message is clear. And the invitation to know God through Jesus Christ is extended to all who will believe.

"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Reflection Questions

How does this week's reading point you to Jesus Christ?
What attributes of God stood out to you in the text?
How can you apply these truths to your walk with God this week?

This guide is designed to accompany your personal study of the Old Testament.

Weekly Reading Plans

📖 Individual Reading Plan (7 Days)

A focused study for personal spiritual growth.

Day 1: The Promise of a Redeemer

Read: Genesis 3:14-15; Romans 16:20; Galatians 4:4-5
Summary: The protoevangelium reveals God's immediate response to sin, a promised seed who would crush the serpent's head, fulfilled in Christ who defeats Satan and redeems humanity from the curse.

Day 2: The Seed of Abraham

Read: Genesis 12:1-3; 22:15-18; Galatians 3:8, 16; Matthew 1:1
Summary: God's covenant with Abraham points forward to Christ, the singular "seed" through whom all nations receive blessing, demonstrating that the gospel was preached beforehand to Abraham.

Day 3: The Passover Lamb

Read: Exodus 12:1-13, 21-23; 1 Corinthians 5:7; John 1:29; 1 Peter 1:18-19
Summary: The Passover lamb, whose blood protected Israel from judgment, prefigures Christ our Passover who was sacrificed for us, delivering believers from the wrath of God through His precious blood.

Day 4: The Tabernacle and God's Dwelling

Read: Exodus 25:8-9; 40:34-38; John 1:14; Hebrews 9:11-12, 24
Summary: The tabernacle, where God dwelt among His people, foreshadows Christ who "tabernacled" among us and entered the greater, perfect tabernacle to secure eternal redemption.

Day 5: The Suffering Servant

Read: Isaiah 52:13–53:12; Acts 8:32-35; 1 Peter 2:21-25
Summary: Isaiah's prophetic portrait of the suffering servant who bears our griefs, carries our sorrows, and is pierced for our transgressions finds its complete fulfillment in Jesus Christ's substitutionary atonement.

Day 6: The Davidic King

Read: 2 Samuel 7:12-16; Psalm 2:1-12; Luke 1:30-33; Acts 2:29-36
Summary: God's covenant with David establishes an eternal throne fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the Son of David, whose kingdom has no end and who reigns as both Lord and Messiah.

Day 7: The New Covenant Promise

Read: Jeremiah 31:31-34; Ezekiel 36:25-27; Luke 22:19-20; Hebrews 8:6-13
Summary: The prophets foretold a new covenant written on hearts by the Spirit, inaugurated by Christ's blood, providing forgiveness of sins and intimate knowledge of God that surpasses the old covenant's external law.

🏡 Family Reading Plan (7 Days)

Simple readings and activities for parents and children.

Day 1: God Makes a Promise

Read: Genesis 3:15 (simplified: "God promised that one day, someone special would defeat the snake and fix what sin broke.")
Ask: "When something breaks, what do we need? God promised to send someone to fix the big problem of sin. Who do you think that is?"
Do: Draw a picture together of something broken and then something fixed. Talk about how Jesus came to fix our broken friendship with God.

Day 2: God's Special Friend Abraham

Read: Genesis 12:1-3 (focus on verse 3: "all families of the earth will be blessed through you")
Ask: "God told Abraham that through his family, everyone in the world would be blessed. How does Jesus bless us?"
Do: Make a family tree on paper. Put Jesus at the top and talk about how He came from Abraham's family to bless the whole world, including us!

Day 3: The Special Lamb

Read: Exodus 12:21-23 (simplified version about the lamb's blood protecting families)
Ask: "The lamb's blood kept families safe. Who is called 'the Lamb of God' that keeps us safe from sin?"
Do: Use red construction paper or paint to make handprints. Talk about how the lamb's blood on the doorposts pointed to Jesus' blood that saves us.

Day 4: God Comes to Live with His People

Read: Exodus 40:34-35 (God's glory filled the tabernacle/tent)
Ask: "God lived in a special tent with His people. Where does God live now?" (Answer: In heaven, but also with us through His Spirit!)
Do: Build a blanket fort or tent together. Sit inside and talk about how Jesus came to "tent" (live) with us, and now God's Spirit lives in our hearts.

Day 5: The Servant Who Took Our Hurts

Read: Isaiah 53:4-5 (simplified: "He took our sicknesses and carried our sadness. He was hurt so we could be healed.")
Ask: "When you get hurt, who helps you feel better? Jesus took all our hurts, even the hurt from our sins, so we could be healed."
Do: Put a bandage on each other (even if there's no boo-boo). Talk about how Jesus' wounds heal our hearts and make us right with God.

Day 6: The Forever King

Read: 2 Samuel 7:16 and Psalm 2:6-7 (God promises a king whose kingdom lasts forever)
Ask: "Kings usually don't live forever, but God promised a king who would rule forever. Who is that king?"
Do: Make paper crowns together and decorate them. Wear them and march around singing "Jesus is the King forever!"

Day 7: God Writes on Our Hearts

Read: Jeremiah 31:33 ("I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts")
Ask: "Where does God want His words to be, just in a book, or in our hearts too?"
Do: Cut out paper hearts. Write "I love God" or draw pictures of ways we can love God and others. Tape them where you'll see them this week as reminders that God's love is written on our hearts through Jesus.