Job is the book of the Bible that was written first, and as such it asks important questions that the rest of the Bible will answer. One of those questions comes from Job himself in Job 14:14, “If a man dies, will he live again?” Job knows that death is permanent (14:10–11) and that once he passes, he will be unable to plead with God that he did nothing wrong (14:3–4). His sin will keep him endlessly trapped in the grave, because the only currency that can pay for sin is death (Rom. 6:23). Therefore, Job recognized early on that the only possible resolution to sin and its deadly consequence is a resurrection.

Most of us are used to thinking about resurrection as a New Testament doctrine rather than an Old Testament one. But would it surprise you to find out that the resurrection is well established in the Old Testament? Not only is resurrection taught in the Old, but the theology it teaches us is incredibly profound. There are many books throughout the Old Testament that shed light on the doctrine of the resurrection. A careful examination of them will draw out a powerful message about resurrection that speaks to our lives today.

Job Says, “Resurrection Is the Solution to All Evil”

 Job is the book of the Bible that was written first, and as such it asks important questions that the rest of the Bible will answer. One of those questions comes from Job himself in Job 14:14, “If a man dies, will he live again?” Job knows that death is permanent (14:10–11) and that once he passes, he will be unable to plead with God that he did nothing wrong (14:3–4). His sin will keep him endlessly trapped in the grave, because the only currency that can pay for sin is death (Rom. 6:23). Therefore, Job recognized early on that the only possible resolution to sin and its deadly consequence is a resurrection.

For this reason, in Job 19:26 he declares with the utmost confidence, “Even after my skin is destroyed, Yet from my flesh I shall see God.” Job does not know how God is going to do it, but he believes in his heart that somehow God will raise him from the dead. Through it all, Job maintains that God is right, even though He seems to be allowing Job to suffer for no reason. But the only way for God to be right that makes sense to Job is that there must be a resurrection. Elihu agrees with him later in Job 33:29–30, “Behold, God does all these oftentimes with men, To bring back his soul from the pit, That he may be enlightened with the light of life.” Elihu too recognizes that resurrection must be real, and they both believed against all odds that it is the solution to all evil.

The Psalms Say, “Resurrection Is Dependent on the Messiah”

 If resurrection is the solution to all evil, it will require a heroic individual with the right credentials to make it happen. The book of Psalms introduces the Messiah as this person. Psalm 91:16 says, “With a long life I will satisfy him And let him see My salvation.” God promises to give the Messiah long life (literally, length of days), which is a technical phrase sometimes associated with resurrection (see Ps. 21:4; 23:6). In Psalm 17:15, David expresses confidence that God will satisfy him as well with a resurrection, “As for me, I shall behold Your face in righteousness; I will be satisfied with Your likeness when I awake.” How does David know this will happen? He explains in Psalm 16:10, “For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol; Nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay.” David is sure that his own resurrection is secure, because he knows that God will not allow the Messiah, God’s Holy One, to undergo decay. The Messiah’s resurrection is the basis for David’s resurrection.

As a result, David affirms in Psalm 21:4 what Psalm 91:16 said about the Messiah, “He asked life of You, You gave it to him, Length of days forever and ever.” It is also the reason that David pictures the Messiah alive in Psalm 22:21ff, after describing His royal execution, “Save me from the lion’s mouth; From the horns of the wild oxen You answer me. I will tell of Your name to my brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will praise You.” On this basis, David claims in verse 29 that all of God’s people will also undergo a resurrection, “All those who go down to the dust will bow before Him, Even he who cannot keep his soul alive.”

All resurrection is dependent on the Messiah.

Hosea Says, “Resurrection Is the Proof of God’s Love”

Now that a resurrection is anchored by a future Messiah, the book of Hosea submits resurrection as prime evidence that God loves His people. Hosea 6:2 announces, “He will revive us after two days; He will raise us up on the third day, That we may live before Him.” God allowed Israel to die because of their sin (5:14; 10:13–15; 13:1), but He also promises to raise them from the dead by returning them from exile (7:2; 8:13; 11:1, 11). The Messiah guarantees Israel’s resurrection, because “He [too] was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Cor. 15:4). The promise of a resurrection demonstrates that God still loves His people.

But Hosea 13:14 takes it a step further, “Shall I ransom them from the power of Sheol? Shall I redeem them from death? O Death, where are your thorns? O Sheol, where is your sting?” Not only does God ensure that His people will overcome the grave; He also promises to give death a taste of its own medicine.

Not even death can separate God’s people from His love. Death will forever be silent as the grave. The eternality of resurrection is the ultimate proof of God’s love.

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