What Old Testament prophecies connect to Paul's hope for Israel in Acts 28:20? Paul’s Statement and the Question on the Table Acts 28:20: “For this reason I have asked to see you and speak with you. It is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.” What “the Hope of Israel” Means • The coming Messiah—David’s greater Son • The resurrection of the righteous • The restoration and everlasting kingdom promised to the nation Foundations in the Torah • Genesis 3:15 — the seed who will crush the serpent • Genesis 12:3; 22:18 — Abraham’s line bringing blessing to “all the families of the earth” • Genesis 49:10 — “The scepter will not depart from Judah” • Numbers 24:17 — “A star will come forth from Jacob” • Deuteronomy 18:15 — the Prophet like Moses to whom Israel must listen A Forever King in the Historical Books • 2 Samuel 7:12-13 — “I will raise up your offspring… I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever” • Psalm 89:3-4 — “I have made a covenant with My chosen… I will establish your line forever” (echoing 2 Samuel 7) Messiah, Resurrection, and Reign in the Psalms • Psalm 2:6-8 — God’s anointed Son ruling the nations • Psalm 16:10 — “You will not abandon my soul to Sheol” (Paul cites this in Acts 13:35) • Psalm 22 — suffering, death, and worldwide worship that follows • Psalm 110:1-4 — the exalted Priest-King at God’s right hand Isaiah’s Expansive Vision • Isaiah 7:14 — virgin-conceived “Immanuel” • Isaiah 9:6-7 — Child-King on David’s throne “with justice… forever” • Isaiah 11:1-10 — Spirit-anointed shoot of Jesse bringing peace to Israel and the nations • Isaiah 25:8 — “He will swallow up death forever” (resurrection hope) • Isaiah 49:6 — Messiah as “a light for the nations” as well as for Jacob • Isaiah 52:13 — 53:12 — the suffering Servant bearing sin and seeing “His offspring” after death • Isaiah 61:1-3 — liberty for captives, echoed by Jesus in Luke 4 Jeremiah and Ezekiel: New Covenant & National Restoration • Jeremiah 23:5-6 — “a Righteous Branch… Judah will be saved” • Jeremiah 31:31-34 — new covenant, law written on hearts, forgiveness of sins • Ezekiel 34:23-24 — one Shepherd, “My servant David,” feeding the flock • Ezekiel 36:24-28 — Israel gathered, given a new heart and Spirit • Ezekiel 37:12-14 — dry bones raised, placed in their own land Daniel and the Minor Prophets: Resurrection & Eternal Kingdom • Daniel 2:44 — God’s kingdom that will “crush all these kingdoms and bring them to an end” • Daniel 7:13-14 — “One like a Son of Man… His dominion is an everlasting dominion” • Daniel 12:2 — “Many who sleep in the dust… will awake” • Hosea 13:14 — “I will ransom them from the power of Sheol” • Amos 9:11-15 — fallen tent of David rebuilt, Israel planted never to be uprooted • Zechariah 12:10; 13:1 — Israel looks on the One they pierced, a fountain for cleansing • Zechariah 14:9 — “The LORD will be King over all the earth” How These Threads Converge in Paul’s Gospel • Acts 26:6-8 — Paul ties his trial to “the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers… that the dead are raised.” • Romans 1:1-4 — the gospel “promised beforehand through His prophets,” fulfilled in Jesus’ resurrection. • Romans 11:25-27 — Israel’s future salvation linked to Isaiah 59:20-21 and 27:9. • 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 — Christ’s death and resurrection “according to the Scriptures” (Psalm 16, Isaiah 53, Hosea 6:2). Why Paul Could Not Be Silent The same prophecies that promised a Messiah for Israel also promised resurrection, worldwide blessing, and an everlasting kingdom. Those prophecies, Paul insists, are literally fulfilled and guaranteed in the risen Jesus—Israel’s Hope—and they await full realization when “all Israel will be saved” and the nations share in the covenant blessings. |
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