“And you brethren, like Isaac, are children of promise. But as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so it is now also. But what does the Scripture say? ‘Cast out the bondwoman and her son, for the son of the bondwoman shall not be an heir with the son of the free woman.’  So then, brethren, we are not children of a bondwoman, but of the free woman.” Galatians 4:28-31 (NAS)

The apostle Paul here cites an Old Testament passage from the first book of the Bible, Genesis. 

“For when God made the promise to Abraham, since He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, saying, ‘I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply you.’ And thus, having patiently waited, he obtained the promise.” Hebrews 6:13-15 (NAS) Outside of Romans, the gospel of Matthew and the book of…

“But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that He had done, and the children who were crying out in the temple and saying, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David,’ they became indignant, and said to Him, ‘Do You hear what these are saying? And Jesus said to them, ‘Yes; have…

“This was to fulfill what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying,  ‘The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, by the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles– The people who were sitting in darkness saw a great light, and to those who were sitting in the land and shadow of death, upon them a light dawned.’ ” Matthew 4:12-16 (NAS)

Matthew, moved by the Holy Spirit, cites another messianic reference by the prophet Isaiah. 

“For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, contention quiets down.” (Proverbs 26:20 NASB)

With Mr. Simpson gone for the week, giving his daughter to the hand of Marshall Harbour for marriage, we digress from the study of Old Testament quotations in the New Testament.  

“But they have done this in order that the word may be fulfilled that is written in their Law, ‘They hated Me without a cause.’ ” ( John 15:25 NAS)

Jesus, knowing the hour of His crucifixion was fast approaching, sought to prepare His apostles for events and circumstances that would come upon them after His exodus from the earth. 

“But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, ‘Death is swallowed up in victory.’ ” 1 Cor. 15:54

One of the great messianic promises of the Old Covenant which is realized under the New Covenant is emphasized by the apostle as he is moved by the Spirit to encourage and admonish the Corinthian brethren. 

But the bystanders said, “Do you revile God’s high priest?” And Paul said, “I was not aware, brethren, that he was high priest; for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’ ” Acts 23:4-5

Paul, having been taught by the renowned Jewish Rabbi of the apostolic period Gamaliel prior to his conversion to Christ, would be keenly aware of the Old Testament law. 

“…and thus all Israel will be saved; just as it is written, ‘The Deliverer will come from Zion, He will remove ungodliness from Jacob. And this is My covenant with them, when I take away their sins.’ ” Rom. 11:26-27

Here’s yet another quote from the Messianic prophet of the Old Testament, Isaiah, utilized by the Holy Spirit to instruct and encourage the Roman brethren. 

“…just as David also speaks of the blessing upon the man to whom God reckons righteousness apart from works: ‘Blessed are those whose lawless deeds have been forgiven, and whose sins have been covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will not take into account.’ ” Romans 4:6-8 (Part two)

This quote by the apostle Paul, as was mentioned last week, comes from Psalm thirty-two, verses one and two.