Jesus in the Old Testament is a series of posts that will offer my readers a chance to consider pictures or shadows of Jesus in the Old Testament. As mentioned in the introduction to this series, some may be obvious, some may be not so obvious, and some may simply be a facet of the Lord those reading may not have considered previously.

I hope as we venture through this series, we will see the Lord in many wonderful pictures throughout the Old Testament.

SEEING JESUS IN

Daniel

Justice PrevaIls

Daniel 6:24 – And the king commanded, and those men who had maliciously accused Daniel were brought and cast into the den of lions—they, their children, and their wives. And before they reached the bottom of the den, the lions overpowered them and broke all their bones in pieces.

1 Timothy 3:16 Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.

It seems to be a fair observation that both Daniel and Jesus suffered unjustly. Although Daniel was entrapped by an unjust law system, and Jesus entered freely into our existence under a law system that would require His death, both men were righteous men, and both ended up under a law that condemned them to death.

For Daniel, his time of trial, of being thrown to the lions, was an extended period of the mercy of God in the shutting of the lions mouths. After one night, the king had the faith to actually visit the den of lions where Daniel was last seen, and to call out to him. That act alone is a testament to the life of Daniel, in that a pagan king might call out the name of Daniel even though he had been with lions all night.

As the king in awe and wonder, witnessed Daniel pulled from the lions den, an opposite reaction occurred in his mind.

Justice for Daniel would be exacted. A vindication of Daniel’s righteous cause by the judgement of the wicked men who put him there. Let all those who planned this treachery suffer the same they intended for Daniel. The lions were satisfied this time, feeding on the wise men.

Daniel was vindicated, not only in the miracle of God in his time with hungry lions, but also in the decision of the king in his taking vengeance on those who tricked him and condemned his closest servant. Daniel’s vindication seemed complete.

In a manner of speaking, Daniel’s vindication was complete, yet it wasn’t near as incredible as the vindication the Lord Jesus experienced. He was raised from the dead, not merely raised from a potential death. He was raised out of the grave to a new life, not merely raised from a dangerous situation to continue a previous life.

No – Jesus was vindicated in His resurrection, God the Father declaring Him to be the Son of God in power.

Romans 1:4 and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord,

No – Jesus was vindicated in His resurrection, God the Father declaring Him to be the Savior of all mankind.

1 Timothy 4:10 For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.

No – Jesus was vindicated in His resurrection, God the Father exalting Him to the right hand of God, with the resultant pouring out of the Spirit as a witness.

Acts 2:33 Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing.

Jesus was vindicated. He is the King of Kings, without peer or competitor. No man has ever been vindicated in such a glorious manner as the God man Jesus.

He is the One who is vindicated, and in His vindication has provided forgiveness to those who made Him suffer, eventually killing Him.

Daniels vindication resulted in the death of his enemies. Consider how much greater the Suffering Servants vindication is in that He seeks and saves those who persecuted and killed Him.

He is so much better!

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