Do you enjoy a good mystery thriller? If the author gave you the answer at the beginning of the read, the challenge and the fun would be over. Preachers are often presented in movies as boring teachers of out-dated morality, but the book they're supposed to be teaching is actually a block buster, murder mystery, and God doesn't give His story away too quickly. Here are some of the clues He gives you in the first part of His story to help you discover His hero:
- Near the end of Genesis the Patriarch Jacob placed his hand on his fourth son's head
and pronounced this blessing:
"The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet,
until he comes to whom it belongs and all people obey him." (Genesis 49:10)
Who was this Jewish man who would have the right to rule nations?
- Bethlehem was the City of David, but by the 8th century B.C. it had lost its shine. It
was small town Israel, not the place you would expect to generate a world
leader. Yet the prophet Micah gave this city this honor.
"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting" (Micah 5:2 (NKJV).
Who was this Bethlehem baby who actually existed before time?
- The Prophet Isaiah's wife gave birth to a son, but this son could hardly be given the
name "Immanuel" (literally, "God-with-us."), and his wife was obviously not a virgin.
Who was the Jewish virgin mother Isaiah saw as a divine sign and who was her son?
"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel" (Isaiah 7:14)
"For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders;
and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6)
- Job's wife nagged him to curse God and die. His three best friends accused him of
being a closet sinner who needed to repent, and God, Himself, apparently had
abandoned his child to the ash heap, but Job still had the faith to say,
"I know that my Redeemer lives and that in the end he will stand upon the earth" (Job 19:25).
Who was this Redeemer that could give hope to a man even after he lost his wealth, his
family, his health, his friends, and his closeness to God?
The first half of God's mystery story gives you clues-a ruler from the tribe of Judah,
born in Bethlehem of a virgin mother, and a Redeemer who still gives hope even to an
abandoned, dying man. Ever feel alone, abandoned by your friends, and down? You
have to read the second half of the thriller, the New Testament, to follow the clues to
a man who can give you hope.
Want More?
http://www.dontbeleftbehind.com/
Got Spiritual Questions?
http://www.allaboutgod.com
Sources : Randall Niles, www.AllAboutGOD.com , www.GotQuestions.org , and www.AllAboutTheJourney.org .
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