6. Jehovah-Jesus, THE SHEPHERD
Our next parallelism between Jehovah in the Old Testament and Christ in the New Testament is the well-known Shepherd character of our Lord. Let us cite some of the passages:
"Hear the word of the LORD [Jehovah], 0 ye nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, He that scattereth Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd doth his flock." Jer. 31:1010Hear the word of the Lord, O ye nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd doth his flock. (Jeremiah 31:10).
"Thus shall they know that I the LORD [Jehovah] their God am with them, and that they, even the house of Israel, are my people, saith the Lord God. And ye my flock, the flock of my pasture, are men, and I am your God, saith the Lord Gob." Eze. 34:30, 3130Thus shall they know that I the Lord their God am with them, and that they, even the house of Israel, are my people, saith the Lord God. 31And ye my flock, the flock of my pasture, are men, and I am your God, saith the Lord God. (Ezekiel 34:30‑31).
"I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep....I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine... And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one flock, and one shepherd.... My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of my hand." John 10:27, 28, 11-1627My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. (John 10:27‑28)
11I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. 12But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. 13The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. 14I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. 15As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. (John 10:11‑16). "Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant." Heb. 13:2020Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, (Hebrews 13:20).
After reading the above comparisons we can well understand why "Christian piety in every age has identified the Good Shepherd of John 10 with the Shepherd of whom David sang; and the Shepherd of Psalm 23 is Jehovah."6
7. Jehovah-Jesus, THE LAW GIVER
Let us now notice another striking identification of Jehovah with Jesus. We refer to His being the One who spoke at Sinai. Note how carefully the Word of God identifies the Speaker on Sinai with the Lord Jesus in the New Testament.
"And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the Lord [Jehovah] descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly. And when the voice of the trumpet sounded long, and waxed louder and louder, Moses spake, and God answered him by a voice. And the LORD [Jehovah] came down upon mount Sinai, on the top of the mount:... and the LORD [Jehovah] said unto Moses, Go down, charge the people, lest they break through unto the Lord [Jehovah] to gaze, and many of them perish." Exod. 19:18-2118And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the Lord descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly. 19And when the voice of the trumpet sounded long, and waxed louder and louder, Moses spake, and God answered him by a voice. 20And the Lord came down upon mount Sinai, on the top of the mount: and the Lord called Moses up to the top of the mount; and Moses went up. 21And the Lord said unto Moses, Go down, charge the people, lest they break through unto the Lord to gaze, and many of them perish. (Exodus 19:18‑21).
"Ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, and the sound of a trumpet.... But ye are come... to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling.... See that ye refuse not him that speaketh: for if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: whose voice then shook the earth: but now hath he promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven." Heb. 12:18-2618For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, 19And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard entreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more: 20(For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart: 21And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:) 22But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, 23To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, 24And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. 25See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: 26Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. (Hebrews 12:18‑26).
The above quotation from Heb. 12 positively identifies Jesus as the One, "whose voice then shook the earth," referring to Exod. 19:1818And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the Lord descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly. (Exodus 19:18), "the whole mount quaked greatly." There it was the Lord (Jehovah), but the epistle to the Hebrews tells us it was Jesus. Yes, Jesus is Jehovah.
8. Jehovah-Jesus AND THE SABBATH
Closely related to our last identification of Jesus as the giver of the ten commandments at Mount Sinai, is His own claim to being Lord of the Sabbath. Note the parallel:
"And he said unto them, This is that which the LORD [Jehovah] hath said, To-morrow is the rest of the holy sabbath unto the LORD [Jehovah]... See, for that the LORD [Jehovah] hath given you the sabbath." Exod. 16:23, 2923And he said unto them, This is that which the Lord hath said, To morrow is the rest of the holy sabbath unto the Lord: bake that which ye will bake to day, and seethe that ye will seethe; and that which remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until the morning. (Exodus 16:23)
29See, for that the Lord hath given you the sabbath, therefore he giveth you on the sixth day the bread of two days; abide ye every man in his place, let no man go out of his place on the seventh day. (Exodus 16:29).
"But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day. But he said unto them,... I say unto you... the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day." Matt. 12:2-82But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day. 3But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him; 4How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the showbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests? 5Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless? 6But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple. 7But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless. 8For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day. (Matthew 12:2‑8).
Is it not true that the only legitimate way in which Jesus could claim supremacy to God's sabbath, was in consideration of the fact that He was the One who gave the sabbath?
Yes, how plain it is: Jesus is Jehovah.
9. Jehovah-Jesus FEEDS HIS PEOPLE
Psalm 132 describes the blessing that will ensue under the reign of Messiah in the coming day. Jehovah is mentioned six times in this Psalm. One of His many kindnesses is His tender consideration for the poor of His people. Let us compare this with the heart of our Lord when He was here upon earth.
"He commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. And they did all eat, and were filled." Matt. 14:19, 2019And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. 20And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full. (Matthew 14:19‑20).
Yes, Jehovah-Jesus was there present to meet the need, and it was so abundantly met that there were twelve baskets of fragments remaining after all were satisfied.
10. Jehovah-Jesus, THE HEALER
In no area of His life is Jesus more frequently recognized as the Jehovah of the Old Testament than in His long continued healing ministry. Note a few selected parallels:
"I am the LORD [Jehovah] that healeth thee." Exod. 15:2626And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee. (Exodus 15:26). "Bless the LORD [Jehovah], 0 my soul, and forget not all his benefits: who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases." Psalm 103:2, 32Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: 3Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; (Psalm 103:2‑3). "They shall see the glory of the LORD [Jehovah], and the excellency of our God.... Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped." Isa. 35:2, 52It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the Lord, and the excellency of our God. (Isaiah 35:2)
5Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. (Isaiah 35:5).
"They bring unto him one that was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech;... and he took him aside... and put his fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue;... and straightway his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, and he spake plain." Mark 7:32-3532And they bring unto him one that was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech; and they beseech him to put his hand upon him. 33And he took him aside from the multitude, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue; 34And looking up to heaven, he sighed, and saith unto him, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened. 35And straightway his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, and he spake plain. (Mark 7:32‑35).
"And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple.... Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.... And immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked." Acts 3:2, 6-82And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; (Acts 3:2)
6Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. 7And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. 8And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. (Acts 3:6‑8).
Thus we see that, not only did Jesus personally do what was accredited to Jehovah in the Old Testament, but also through the power of His name, similar miracles were wrought. The above parallels could be multiplied many times over, but space forbids. We recommend to our readers that they themselves trace the parallels.
11. Jehovah-Jesus KNOWS THE HEART
Omniscience is one of the exclusive prerogatives of deity. Only God can read the hearts of His creatures. Let us note some of the Old Testament statements as to Jehovah's knowledge of the heart, and compare the same with those of a similar nature applied to our Lord in the New.
"But the LORD [Jehovah] said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height
"Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be the greatest. And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him." Luke 9:46, 4746Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest. 47And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him, (Luke 9:46‑47).
"And others, tempting him, sought of him a sign from heaven. But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them." Luke 11:16, 1716And others, tempting him, sought of him a sign from heaven. 17But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth. (Luke 11:16‑17).
"Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Be-hold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee. Nathanael answered and
"Yet have thou respect unto the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplication, 0 LORD [Jehovah] my God.... For thou, even thou only, knowest the hearts of all the children of men." 1 Kings 8:28, 3928Yet have thou respect unto the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplication, O Lord my God, to hearken unto the cry and to the prayer, which thy servant prayeth before thee to day: (1 Kings 8:28)
39Then hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and do, and give to every man according to his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou, even thou only, knowest the hearts of all the children of men;) (1 Kings 8:39).
saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God: thou art the King of Israel." John 1:47-4947Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! 48Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee. 49Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel. (John 1:47‑49).
"And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord [Christ], which knowest the hearts of all men, show whether of these two thou hast chosen." Acts 1:2424And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, show whether of these two thou hast chosen, (Acts 1:24).
Can any reader of the above parallelism fail to see that the Jehovah of the Old Testament is the Jesus of the New? Yes, Jesus is Jehovah.
12. Jehovah-Jesus COMMANDS THE ELEMENTS
Not only was our Lord superior to sickness, disease, and deformity of all kinds, but He showed Himself repeatedly as in command of the very elements themselves. In this He showed Himself the Jehovah of the Old Testament. We here present a parallel on this point:
"O LORD [Jehovah] God of hosts, who is a strong LORD [Jehovah] like unto thee?... Thou rulest the raging of the sea: when the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them." Psalm 89:8, 98O Lord God of hosts, who is a strong Lord like unto thee? or to thy faithfulness round about thee? 9Thou rulest the raging of the sea: when the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them. (Psalm 89:8‑9). "And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship.... And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm." Mark 4:37, 3937And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. (Mark 4:37)
39And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. (Mark 4:39).
Can it be otherwise than that Jesus is Jehovah?
6. "Jesus Christ is Jehovah," by Dr. W. Childs Robinson, in Evangelical Quarterly. opus cit. vol. 5, p. 153.