The word “Gospel” is a New Testament word and is not to be found in the Old Testament. But the Gospel of Jesus Christ is found all throughout the Old Testament Hebrew Scriptures, and in every book of the Bible.
The Gospel In the New Testament
The word “Gospel” simply means “good news.” And though this word is most commonly associated with Christianity, especially with the good news concerning the death, burial, and and resurrection of Christ, it specifically refers to the first four books of the New Testament.
The story of Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, and son of God, is good news indeed. The focus of the Gospels are essentially biographies about the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The first three, Matthew, Mark, and Luke are called “synoptic gospels,” since these books contain similar accounts of the story of Jesus Christ.
The Gospel according to John has a different perspective concerning the life of Jesus. Each of the Gospel writers faithfully recorded the account of Jesus’ death and the happy ending of His resurrection. Also, the Gospels are a summary of God’s plan of salvation for sinful human beings.
The Gospel In the Old Testament
But in the Old Testament, God’s unfolding plan, or the coming of His Son, and elements of the Gospel of Jesus Christ are hinted at throughout those scriptures. The good news that God is never absent, and that He is concerned about His creation permeates the entire Old Testament. The Gospel message is throughout the entire Bible, though the Old Testament uses different words to proclaim it.
Here is a breakdown of the Gospel of God’s salvation, the good news that God cares about sinful mankind, in each of the Old Testament books. At times there is a direct reference to Jesus Christ, the coming Messiah. In other books, there are actions that foreshadow something significant in the life of Christ. Still, in other books, there is recorded the presence of God, and the warnings and admonitions of His prophets. But nowhere in the Old Testament is God absent; His very presence is part of the proclamation of the Gospel.
Genesis
In the book of Genesis, right after the serpent deceived Eve and sin entered the world, God gives the first mention of the Gospel of His son: the Gospel of salvation in the enigmatic promise of Genesis 3:15, “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” (KJV) This is the first mention of the coming Savior.
Later on in the book of Genesis, God told Abraham “In thee shall all families of the earth be blessed” – Genesis 12:3 (KJV). This was a veiled reference to Jesus Christ. Jesus brought the Gospel to the world, to all of the families of the world. The Gospel is a blessing.
Exodus
In the Book of Exodus, when Moses (the most significant Old Testament figure) was preparing to lead the people of ancient Israel out of slavery in the land of Egypt, a lamb had to be sacrificed and its blood applied around the doorway because that specific night, the death angel was going to kill all of the firstborn in Egypt.
However, all those who were inside a house that had the blood properly applied lived. Read about it in Exodus chapter 12. This account was an actual foreshadowing of the atoning and protecting blood of Jesus Christ (the blood on the doorway was applied to the top and two sides, with the blood dripping down — making the sign of the cross).
Leviticus
The Book of Leviticus has many details concerning animal sacrifices, which included sin offerings. These animal sacrifices all involved innocent blood that had to be shed to atone for, or to cover, human sin. This actual practice was required by a holy God, while the various sacrifices pointed forward to Jesus’ death. Jesus, the Lamb of God who took away — not simply covered — the sin of the world. Read about the sin offering in Leviticus chapter 4.
Numbers
The Book of Numbers relates the fascinating account a judgement of God with poisonous snakes. The snakes killed many people, but God, in His grace, told Moses to make a serpent of brass and put it on a pole. Anyone who was bit only had to look at the bronze serpent and they would live. See the account in Numbers 21:1-9. This bronze serpent represented Jesus Christ as explained in the Gospel of John. “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up.” John 3:14 (KJV)
Deuteronomy
The Book of Deuteronomy is Moses retelling God’s law before his death and before the children of Israel entered into the Promised Land. Moses predicted in Deuteronomy 30:1-10 that God’s people would fall into sin and disappoint Him, but God would also have compassion on them. God’s compassion in His disobedient people is a proclamation of the Gospel.
Joshua
Once in the Promised Land after Moses died, and with Joshua as their new leader, the children of Israel spied out the land. In the great City of Jericho, which they would capture, two of the spies encountered a woman of faith who feared God. The spies told Rahab the harlot to hang a scarlet thread from her window as a sign, and she and all those with her would be spared. Read about Rahab in Joshua chapter 2. This scarlet thread is figurative of the saving blood of Jesus Christ.
Judges
The Book of Judges chronicles a nation without a strong leader. Yet, in this time of political, moral, and religious confusion, there are still element of the Gospel since God did not turn His back on His people, and instead, raised up judges to guide them. Some of the notable judges are mentioned in Hebrews 11:32 as men of great faith in God.
Ruth
The love story of Ruth showcases Boaz, the man who became Ruth’s husband, and a kinsman redeemer. “And he [Boaz] said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman. – Ruth 3:9 (KJV) Boaz is an example of Jesus Christ, the redeemer.
First and Second Samuel
In the Hebrew Bible, the books of Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles were not divided. The two English Bible books of Samuel tells about the life of David, the second and best king of Israel. In 2 Samuel 7:16, God promised David that his throne would be established forever. In this promise, God was telling David about the future coming of His Son, Jesus Christ, the coming Messiah, Who would eventually reign over the entire world.
The Gospel of Luke confirms this when the angel Gabriel came to Mary to tell her that she had been chosen to bear Jesus. The angel said to her, “And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.” Luke 1:31-33 (KJV)
First and Second Kings
The books of First and Second Kings show a depressing picture of the divided kingdom of Israel with a parade of idol-worshipping kings. The few good kings mentioned are those of the Kingdom of Judah, while the northern Kingdom of Israel had no such decent kings. The Gospel of Jesus Christ does not appear as such in these books, but the grace of God is shown throughout by the constant reproving of God’s prophets to the evil kings (And sometimes, the good ones, too!).
Here is one example: “And also by the hand of the prophet Jehu the son of Hanani came the word of the LORD against Baasha, and against his house, even for all the evil that he did in the sight of the LORD, in provoking him to anger with the work of his hands, in being like the house of Jeroboam; and because he killed him. – 1 Kings 16:7 (KJV)
The warnings of the prophets reflect the good news that God both cares and wants His people to return to Him, despite the fact that the leadership of Israel refused to follow His commands.
First and Second Chronicles
After the rejection of God by the majority of His people, God brought judgment by allowing His people to go into captivity. Later, the LORD raised up a Gentile king, Cyrus, king of Persia, to rebuild the Temple of God at Jerusalem. Second Chronicles ends by looking forward to the rebuilding of God’s Temple. “Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, All the kingdoms of the earth hath the LORD God of heaven given me; and he hath charged me to build him an house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Who is there among you of all his people? The LORD his God be with him, and let him go up.” – 2 Chronicles 36:23 (KJV).
The new Temple gave a promise to Israel of God dwelling with them again; this was looking forward to the coming Messiah, if not the King promised so long ago to David.
Ezra
The man of God Ezra preached the law of the LORD in Israel after many of the Jews returned to their homeland from Babylonian captivity. The verse “For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.” Ezra 7:10 (KJV) may not directly mention the Gospel. Nevertheless, Ezra studied, and taught from the five Books of Moses, including the ancient stories where God had promised to send His Son.
Nehemiah
The man Nehemiah was a co-worker of Ezra’s and is best known for his work in rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem. In Nehemiah chapter 8, the event of Ezra preaching to the people is recorded. Nehemiah, with his faith and desire to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, was looking forward to God’s promises, even the future proclamation of the Gospel from the City of Jerusalem.
Esther
The intriguing Book of Esther neither mentions the name of God or prayer. But God’s grace and His protection of the Jewish people, the race through which His Son would eventually be born, permeates this book. The satisfying summary of God’s protection on His people is seen in this verse, “Then the king Ahasuerus said unto Esther the queen and to Mordecai the Jew, Behold, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and him they have hanged upon the gallows, because he laid his hand upon the Jews. – Esther 8:7 (KJV)
Job
The Book of Job, which was possibly written before the time of Abraham, has an interesting reference to what we now know as the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Job was looking forward to eternal life after his death, and to his own resurrection, at which time he would see God. He said, “And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God.” Job 19:26 (KJV) The Gospel, which presents the resurrection of Jesus Christ, makes the resurrection of all other believers possible.
Psalms
Most of the psalms were written by King David. Some of them are prophetic, detailing facts about the coming Messiah. The most notable prophetic psalm, which describes the death of Jesus, is Psalm 22.
Proverbs
The Book of Proverbs, primarily written by King Solomon, is a book of wise sayings. Included in this book of instruction is an interesting reference to Jesus Christ, the Creator Who descended from heaven. “Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son’s name, if thou canst tell?” Proverbs 30:4 (KJV)
Ecclesiastes
The rather depressing Book of Ecclesiastes describes the best of this present world and what a person can expect if they don’t accept and receive the Gospel of Jesus Christ. King Solomon, the author of this book, exhorts the reader in the last chapter to “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth…” Ecclesiastes 12:1 (KJV)
Song of Solomon
Using flowery language, this romantic book describes the love of a man and his wife. Figuratively, this book also shows the love of Jesus Christ for His church — those who have received the Gospel of Jesus Christ are part of this church. This Old Testament book can be summarized by this New Testament verse: “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it” Ephesians 5:25 (KJV)
Isaiah
The prophet Isaiah graphically presented the Gospel of Jesus Christ in Isaiah 53, without using the LORD’s name or the word “gospel” itself.
Jeremiah
The prophet Jeremiah looked forward to the thousand-year reign of Jesus Christ, a time when the LORD would finally rule the world from Jerusalem, saying, “At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the LORD; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the LORD, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the imagination of their evil heart.” Jeremiah 3:17 (KJV)
Lamentations
The Gospel is not explicit in the Book of Lamentations. But in this book of mourning over sin, also attributed to Jeremiah, is a proclamation of God’s goodness. In Lamentations 3:22, he says, “It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.” (KJV). The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the epitome of God’s compassion and mercy.
Ezekiel
The prophecy of the Book of Ezekiel includes a direct reference to Jesus Christ — the Good Shephard. “And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd.” Ezekiel 34:23 (KJV). The prophet was not saying that King David would be resurrected, but Jesus, the Messiah. He is the Shepherd-King Who would come through the line of David.
Daniel
One of the prophecies of Daniel foretold the sacrificial death of the coming Messiah. “And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself” Daniel 9:26 (KJV)
Hosea
Hosea, the first of the twelve “minor prophets,” (Not because the prophecies are of minor concern, but because of the size of the books) is about Hosea and his unfaithful wife, Gomer, and the unfailing love of God to His people who constantly turn away from Him. The good news of acceptance shown by God is part of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
God desires for His people to turn back to Him, and He lovingly expresses this in this verse: “I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness: and thou shalt know the LORD.” Hosea 2:20 (KJV). God continually pleads for His people to come back to Him, like Hosea to Gomer, but He never changes His conditions for repentance.
Joel
After the death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, He sent His Spirit, the Holy Spirit, to live in the hearts of His people. This was foretold by Joel, when he wrote, “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions.” Joel 2:28 (KJV). This prophecy was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost, as recorded in Acts 2:17.
Amos
This short book of the Bible is a prophecy that was fulfilled at the death of Jesus. When He was crucified, there was darkness over all the land (recorded in Mark 15:33) just as Amos had said in chapter 8, verse 9: “And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord GOD, that I will cause the sun to go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the clear day.” (KJV)
Obadiah
The Gospel message is not evident in this book of only a single chapter, but in the last verse, 1:21, it reads, “And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD’S.” (KJV) This relates to the future kingdom of Jesus Christ. If there was no Gospel, there would be no kingdom.
Jonah
The account of the disobedient prophet (Not to mention the obedient whale!) showed Jesus’ resurrection. In Christ’s own words, “For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” Matthew 12:40 (KJV)
Micah
It is in the Book of Micah where the prophet foretells the birthplace of the coming Messiah. Micah 5:2 reads, “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” (KJV)
Nahum
The good news of Jesus Christ to those who accept Him is related in this verse: “The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.” Nahum 1:7 (KJV)
Habakkuk
This minor prophet ends his book with a faith-filled statement that, even when times are tough and days are bleak, both he, and us, who are believers, will be filled with joy because of God’s salvation.
“Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.” Habakkuk 3:17-18 (KJV)
The salvation Habakkuk is referring to is the good news of eternal life in the Kingdom of God with Jesus Christ — the result of personally accepting the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Zechariah
Before Jesus went to the cross, He rode into Jerusalem on a colt. This event is remembered and traditionally celebrated on what is commonly called “Palm Sunday.” The prophet Zechariah foretold this very act. “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass. Zechariah 9:9 (KJV)
Malachi
The last book of the Old Testament includes this interesting verse: “But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings…” – Malachi 4:2 (KJV). This is a prophecy concerning Jesus Christ. The word “wings” refers to the hem of a garment, which many people during Christ’s time on Earth were healed by simply touching the hem of His garment — the “wings” of Jesus. “And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole.” Matthew 14:36 (KJV)
For more study through the Bible check out An Overview of the Eight Dispensations.
All throughout God’s Word is the Gospel message. Seeing the Gospel of Christ in the Old Testament, one can understand that God’s Word is truly His love letter to sinful human beings!
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