There are several designations (descriptions, names, or titles) of the Lord in the Old Testament that correspond with Jesus Christ in the New Testament. For example, the Lord in the Old Testament is called “Shepherd” (Ps. 23:1), and Jesus Christ in the New Testament refers to Himself as “the good Shepherd” (John 10:11). These are called equivalent designations. One aim of such designations is to provide straightforward and direct evidence that Jesus Christ is indeed the Lord of the Old Testament. Here are three additional examples:
- The Lord in the Old Testament is designated King—“The Lord is King for ever and ever” (Ps. 10:16); Jesus Christ, in the New Testament, is also denominated King with these words: “Lord of lords, and King of kings” (Rev. 17:14).
- The Lord in the Old Testament is designated Rock—“Unto thee will I cry, O Lord my rock; be not silent to me” (Ps. 28:1); Jesus Christ is also a Rock: “And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ” (1 Cor. 10:4).
- The Lord in the Old Testament revealed that every knee would bow unto Him: “I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear” (Isa. 45:23). Correspondingly, the Apostle Paul wrote of Jesus Christ, “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth” (Phil. 2:10).
The chart presents several other examples of designations of the Lord of the Old Testament that correspond with Jesus Christ, including Almighty, Captain, Creator, Cornerstone, Judge, Savior, and Star.
Proper understanding of these designations demonstrates that Jesus Christ is the God of the Old Testament; furthermore, knowledge of equivalent designations adds great understanding of the Lord Jesus Christ and His divine and formidable work with individuals, peoples, and nations in both the Old and New Testaments. Beyond the examples in the chart, many others could also be set forth.