OT NT Cross/Tree

Tellyontellyon said:

Christ and his followers drew parallels between the OT and the NT in order to demonstrate that he was the Messiah and the fulfillment of the prophecies.

*Is there anything in the OT about the manner of Christ's death? I e., on a cross or a tree or something that suggests that.

Also, could you say something about tree symbolism and stories in the bible, in both OT and NT and the significance of tree symbolism in Judaism and Christianity.

Thank you

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A couple of things come to mind. The Israelites were once plagued by snakes. The snakes were biting and killing them. Moses made a bronze serpent and put it on a pole and raised it up. When an Israelite was bitten by a snake they would look toward the serpent on the pole and be healed.

In another story the Israelites were in a battle with some other tribe. Moses held his arms outstretched and when he did the battle would go the Israelites' way. When Moses grew tired his arms would relax and lower. Then the battle would go the way of the enemy. Two of his companions held his arms outstretched and the Israelites won the battle.

In the NT, Jesus used the image of the serpent being raised to foretell of his crucifixion. And he was, of course, crucified with his arms outstretched in sight of the Israelites.

As far as tree symbolism, when the Israelites stoned a person to death they would then be hoisted up into a tree and their body was left so that passersby would see it and be deterred from committing the offense the person was executed for. By the time of Jesus the Israelites had adopted Roman style crucifixion as the method of choice for execution. But as a slang term the condemned was referred to as being "hung from a tree". Paul used the same slang in describing Jesus as being hung from a tree.

Tellyontellyon said:

Is there anything in the OT about the manner of Christ's death? I e., on a cross or a tree or something that suggests that.

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Generally, Isaiah 53:1-12 is considered by
most Christians as prophecy of this. Much of Psalm 22 ( which the Lord quoted the 1st verse on the cross).

Tellyontellyon said:

Christ and his followers drew parallels between the OT and the NT in order to demonstrate that he was the Messiah and the fulfillment of the prophecies.

*Is there anything in the OT about the manner of Christ's death? I e., on a cross or a tree or something that suggests that.

Also, could you say something about tree symbolism and stories in the bible, in both OT and NT and the significance of tree symbolism in Judaism and Christianity.

Thank you

Click to expand...

Ooh, there are plenty of verses that talk about Jesus, and a few on His death.

Daniel 7:13-14 (NIV): "In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed."

Isaiah 7:14 (NIV): "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel."

Isaiah 61:1-3 (NIV): "The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor."

Psalm 22:16-18 (NIV): "Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircles me; they pierce my hands and my feet. All my bones are on display; people stare and gloat over me. They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment."

Jesus in the OT Devotional: