Trinity in The Old Testament

The Reason for my writing this article is that many people say that the TRINITY is a New Testament theology. But that’s not true. The trinity has always been there, and even the Prophets and Old testament writers believed in that. So lets take a look at some key verses of the Old Testament, on how God revealed himself.

Let me first start by saying the word “Trinity” does not exist in the bible. But we come to the conclusion of a Triune Godhead based on a systematic study of the Bible.“The Lord our God, the Lord is One.” – Deuteronomy 6:4 

The Lord God is one in essence, but existing in 3 persons. Now there are many passages in the old testament which speaks of a God in a 3 person state, one in essence.

In Genesis God says “Let Us make man, In Our Image.” – Genesis 1:26. The question arises that what is meant by ‘OUR’ in this verse ? The hebrew word used to denote God here is Elohim (Plural).

Further in the Book of Genesis, God brings destruction upon Sodom & Gomorrah and the text goes something like this:

“Then the Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven;” – Genesis 19:24

Notice there is a Lord on Earth who Rains down Fire from the Lord in the Heaven. By the way, just before this chapter, chapter 18 of Genesis; Abraham meets the Lord face to face and shares a meal with him. Jesus refers to that meeting in John 8:56, 58.

In the Book of Exodus Moses writes his account of the Journey from Egypt and writes about being in the presence of God who was in the Burning Bush.

“And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.  And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. And when the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush,” – Exodus 3:2-4

After reading the passage ask yourself 2 questions:

Who was in the midst of the Bush ? Answer: Angel of the Lord

Who called to Moses when he turn aside from the Midst of the Bush ? Answer: God called him.

Which automatically leads to the question – Who was really in the Bush ?

By the way in the Old Testament many places you will find the Angel of the Lord, in certain places after reading the whole text, one can determine that ‘The Angel of the Lord’ is ‘God’ Himself. Its called a Christophany which is a manifestation of God in visible form.

Lets move on with other reference. In Exodus again Moses documents how God sent an Angel to protect them and gave instructions, notice here how the author writes the text:

“Behold, I send an Angel before you to keep you in the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared. Beware of Him and obey His voice; do not provoke Him, for He will not pardon your transgressions; for My name is in Him. But if you indeed obey His voice and do all that I speak, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries.” – Exodus 23:20-22

Notice God says Beware of the Angel & Obey his Voice, don’t Provoke Him for he will not forgive your sins. (Question: an angel will not forgive our sins ? Its a Christophany which I mentioned earlier God in the form of an Angel ) For my Name is in Him (cf: Jesus says ‘God by your Name which you have given me’ – John 17:11) Notice that God’s Name is in the Angel and the Author writes it this odd way. If God was just one person then the author won’t have written it this way. God says ‘Obey the angel’s voice and Do all that I speak.’ (Question: Obey Angel’s Voice but do all that God Speaks ? it’s a very odd way of writing for denoting just one person) Here is a Trinity being Revealed in the Old Testament.

The Biggest and the most important Jewish Prophesy which the Jews till date believe in is :

‘For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” – Isaiah 9:6

Notice here there is a Child who is born, a son. He is called the Counsellor (Holy Spirit’s title in the new testament), The Mighty God, The Eternal Father, The Prince of Peace (Jesus’ Title). Question: How can a Child be born and yet be called Mighty God: Everlasting Father ? All these passages is pointing to Jesus who was God in the flesh.

The Last passage i like to take a look at is one of my favourite old testament passage found in the Book of  Proverbs Chapter 8.

“The Lord possessed me at the beginning of His way, Before His works of old. I have been established from everlasting, From the beginning, before there was ever an earth. When there were no depths I was brought forth, When there were no fountains abounding with water. Before the mountains were settled, Before the hills, I was brought forth; While as yet He had not made the earth or the fields, Or the primal dust of the world. When He prepared the heavens, I was there, When He drew a circle on the face of the deep, When He established the clouds above, When He strengthened the fountains of the deep, When He assigned to the sea its limit, So that the waters would not transgress His command, When He marked out the foundations of the earth, Then I was beside Him as a master craftsman; And I was daily His delight, Rejoicing always before Him, Rejoicing in His inhabited world, Andmy delight was with the sons of men.

“Now therefore, listen to me, my children, For blessed are those who keep my ways. Hear instruction and be wise, And do not disdain it. Blessed is the man who listens to me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at the posts of my doors.

For whoever finds me finds life, And obtains favor from the Lord; But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul; All those who hate me love death.” – Proverbs 8:32-36

Do note in the above passage that before God created anything He (Jesus Christ) was there. He was there from everlasting even before the earth or the heavens were formed. Further into the passage He (Christ) says I was His Master Craftsman as one brought up all creation (ref: Colossians 1:15-20).  And I was His (God’s) daily delight. And My delights were with the sons of men.

The Passage ends with “For whoever finds me finds life, And obtains favor from the Lord” – Proverbs 8:35.

Sounds like very New Testament ?? Well it all taken from the Old Testament.

Jesus said : “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes unto the Father, but by Me.” – John 14:6