With My Dead Body Shall They Arise: Jehovah in the OT is Jesus in the NT
Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead. (Isaiah 26:19, KJV)
Did you know that Jehovah, the eternal God of the Old Testament, foretold His own death? In Isaiah 26:19, the phrase, “with my dead body shall they arise,” reveals a profound truth about the identity of Jesus Christ. This prophecy is not just a promise of resurrection—it’s a stunning declaration that the Jehovah of the Old Testament is the Jesus of the New Testament.
Before Christ’s resurrection, Isaiah’s prophetic words, “with my dead body,” puzzled rabbis and teachers of the Law. Lacking the clarity we now have through Jesus, they interpreted this phrase symbolically—a poetic assurance of a future resurrection and restoration for Israel. Yet, the enigma remained: Why would God Himself associate resurrection with His own death? Only with Jesus’ death and resurrection do the pieces of this prophetic puzzle come together.
The New Testament unveils this mystery. Jesus proclaimed in John 11:25, “I am the resurrection, and the life.” These words boldly identify Him as the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy. Through His death and victorious resurrection, Jesus demonstrated that He is the promised Savior—the Jehovah of the Old Testament incarnate in human flesh. The “dead body” of Isaiah 26:19 is revealed as the crucified and risen Christ.
Furthermore, Jesus’ declaration, “I am,” carries profound theological weight. This phrase directly connects Him to Jehovah, the great “I AM” of Exodus 3:14. The Gospel of John amplifies this connection through seven metaphorical “I AM” statements, each affirming Jesus as the God of the Old Testament:
- John 6:35 – I am the bread of life.
- John 8:12 – I am the light of the world.
- John 10:9 – I am the door of the sheep.
- John 10:11 – I am the good shepherd.
- John 11:25 – I am the resurrection and the life.
- John 14:6 – I am the way, the truth, and the life.
- John 15:1 – I am the true vine.
This revelation changes everything. The same God who parted the Red Sea, gave the Law at Sinai, and promised to dwell with His people is the One who died on the cross and rose again. When we worship Jesus, we are worshiping the Jehovah of the Old Testament—the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who fulfilled His ancient promise in Isaiah.
Meditate
How does Isaiah 26:19 deepen your understanding of Jesus as the God of the Old Testament?
Act on the Word
Read Isaiah 26:19 alongside John 11:25 and John 6:35. Reflect on how this truth strengthens your faith in Jesus as the God who revealed Himself to the patriarchs and prophets. Share this revelation with someone seeking clarity about Jesus’ divinity.
Pray
Lord Jesus, thank You for revealing Yourself as the eternal God of all ages. Deepen my understanding of Your Word and help me proclaim Your identity boldly. Amen.
Recommended Read
- Jesus the I AM That I AM
- I AM That I AM
- I am the resurrection and the life
- Was Jesus Born on December 25th?
- View All Deshen Daily Devotionals
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