What Old Testament scriptures support the resurrection, countering the Sadducees' view? Setting the scene: The Sadducees’ challenge Luke 20:27 introduces a group “who say there is no resurrection.” Their skepticism set the stage for Jesus—and for us—to open the Scriptures and let God speak. Jesus’ definitive answer: the living God of Abraham • Luke 20:37-38—Jesus cites Exodus 3:6: “He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to Him all are alive.” • Exodus 3:6: “I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” – God’s present-tense “I am” means the patriarchs still live; covenant relationship outlasts the grave. • Exodus 3:15 reinforces continuity: the same name “forever…in every generation.” • Jesus’ logic: if God’s covenant partners still exist, resurrection is necessary for His promises to them to be fulfilled bodily in the future land. Clear prophetic promises of resurrection • Daniel 12:2-3—“Many who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life….” – Plain, universal resurrection tied to final judgment and reward. • Isaiah 26:19—“Your dead will live; their bodies will rise… the earth will bring forth her dead.” – Bodily rising, not mere spirit survival. • Ezekiel 37:12-14—“I will open your graves and bring you up from them… then you will know that I, the LORD, have spoken.” – National picture (dry bones) that presupposes personal resurrection power. • Hosea 13:14—“I will ransom them from the power of Sheol; I will redeem them from death.” – Direct promise that death will lose its grip. Personal testimonies in Job and the Psalms • Job 19:25-27—“In my flesh I will see God… my own eyes will behold Him.” – Job expects a restored body after death. • Psalm 16:9-10—“You will not abandon my soul to Sheol, nor will You let Your Holy One see decay.” – David speaks of security beyond death; ultimately fulfilled in Messiah’s resurrection (Acts 2:25-32), but it also affirms God’s power over the grave. • Psalm 17:15—“When I awake, I will be satisfied in Your presence.” • Psalm 73:24—“Afterward You will take me into glory.” – Each psalmist anticipates conscious, embodied life with God. Foreshadowings in Israel’s history • 1 Kings 17:21-22—Elijah prays; the widow’s son revives. • 2 Kings 4:34-35—Elisha stretches over the Shunammite’s boy; the child sneezes seven times and lives. • 2 Kings 13:21—A dead man touches Elisha’s bones and “revived and stood on his feet.” – These resuscitations are not final resurrection, yet they demonstrate God’s proven ability to restore life to a dead body—previewing the greater resurrection to come. Putting the pieces together: How the Old Testament silences the Sadducees 1. God’s covenant name (“I AM”) demands the ongoing life of His people (Exodus 3; Luke 20). 2. The prophets explicitly predict the dead rising (Daniel, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Hosea). 3. Wisdom and worship writings voice personal certainty of seeing God after death (Job, Psalms). 4. Historical narratives supply tangible demonstrations of God’s life-giving power (Kings). Joining these strands, the Old Testament forms a consistent, multi-voiced chorus: God’s people will rise. The Sadducees overlooked this rich tapestry, but Jesus drew a single thread—Exodus 3:6—and unraveled their denial. For every believer, the same Scriptures anchor unshakable hope: “He is not the God of the dead, but of the living.” |
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