Daily Devotions
Ephesians
"Therefore He says: 'When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men.'"
Text: Ephesians 4:8
AN INTERESTING OBSERVATION
Luke, the Gospel writer recorded a time when the Risen Savior spoke to His disciples with these words.
These are the words which I spoke to you
while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled
which were written in the Law of Moses and, the Prophets
and the Psalms concerning Me.
LUKE 24:44
A LOOK AT SOME OLD TESTAMENT TEXTS THAT RELATE TO CHRIST
1. The Law of Moses
The following text looked forward to Christ being a Prophet.
I will raise up for them a Prophet like you…
and will put My words in His mouth,
and He shall speak to them all that I command Him.
DEUTERONOMY 18:18
2. The Prophets
The following texts from Isaiah speak of His Birth and Suffering.
Therefore the LORD Himself will give you a sign:
Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son,
and shall call His name Immanuel.
ISAIAH 7:14
Surely He has borne our griefs,
And carried our sorrows…
But He was wounded for our transgressions
He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes we are healed.
ISAIAH 53:4-5
3. The Psalms
You have ascended on high;
You have led captivity captive;
You have received gifts among men,
Even from the rebellious,
That the LORD God might dwell there.
PSALM 68:18
The text of Ephesians 4:7, where the gifts of Christ are mentioned, is taken from this particular psalm. Paul’s citation of this text was slightly different from the original text. He did not misquote the text though. He just wonderfully applied it.