The Old Testament contains numerous prophecies that Christians believe foreshadow Jesus. It's not about a single date, but rather a collection of prophecies spanning centuries. Here's a breakdown of key periods and examples:
* Genesis (around 1446-1406 BC, traditionally attributed to Moses):
* Genesis 3:15: The "protoevangelium" or first gospel. This passage is interpreted as a prophecy of a future descendant of Eve who will crush the serpent's head (representing Satan), signifying a victory over evil.
* The Patriarchal Period (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob - roughly 2000-1700 BC):
* Genesis 12:3; 22:18: God promises Abraham that "all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." Christians believe this refers to Jesus, a descendant of Abraham, bringing salvation to all nations.
* Deuteronomy 18:15-19: Moses promises that God will raise up a prophet like himself from among the Israelites who would command obedience. This is interpreted by some to refer to Jesus.
* The Davidic Kingdom (around 1000 BC):
* 2 Samuel 7:12-16: God promises David that one of his descendants will establish a kingdom that will last forever. Christians believe this refers to Jesus and his eternal kingdom.
* Psalm 22: Describes the suffering of an innocent individual in graphic detail, closely mirroring the events of Jesus' crucifixion (forsaken by God, pierced hands and feet, casting lots for clothing).
* Psalm 110:1, 4: Speaks of the Messiah being both a king and a priest forever.
* Psalm 132:11: Another verse from David saying that one of his descendants will sit on the throne forever.
* The Prophetic Books (roughly 8th-6th centuries BC):
* Isaiah: Perhaps the richest source of Messianic prophecies:
* Isaiah 7:14: "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 9:6-7: "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever."
* Isaiah 53: A detailed prophecy of the suffering servant who would be wounded for our transgressions and crushed for our iniquities. Christians believe this describes Jesus' atoning sacrifice.
* Micah 5:2: Prophesies that the Messiah will be born in Bethlehem.
* Zechariah 9:9: Foretells that the Messiah will enter Jerusalem riding on a donkey.
* Daniel (6th century BC):
* Daniel 9:24-27: A complex prophecy that sets a timeline for the coming of the "Anointed One" (Messiah).
Important Considerations:
* Multiple Interpretations: Some of these passages can be interpreted in different ways, and there's ongoing scholarly debate about the extent to which they are specifically Messianic prophecies.
* Fulfillment: Christians believe that these prophecies were fulfilled in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
* Context: Understanding the historical and cultural context of each prophecy is crucial for interpreting its meaning.
In summary, the Old Testament contains prophecies about Jesus spanning from the early books of Genesis (around 1446-1406 BC) to the later prophetic books (8th-6th centuries BC). There isn't a single date, but rather a progressive revelation throughout the Old Testament pointing towards the coming Messiah.