1 Peter 1:10-12

The Prophets Longed To Understand Salvation's Plan

Jesus may have referred to the prophets' desire to know about God's plan for the salvation of man when he spoke in Matthew 13:16-17 and Luke 10:23-24. These two verses give a unique glimpse of the nature of inspiration. Scripture plainly states that the prophets wrote as directed by the Holy Ghost (2 Peter 1:20-21). Peter indicates they wrote some things they did not comprehend and searched their own writings diligently to gain some understanding. They dug deep in study to understand the salvation about which they wrote (Isaiah 2:1-5; Isaiah 52:13-15; Psalms 18:49; Hosea 1:10; Hosea 2:23). Of course, that salvation comes by grace, or unmerited favor. That grace was not for them, but for those who would live in the Christian age (Hebrews 11:39-40). The prophets wanted to know when the events about which they prophesied would take place. Specifically, they wanted to know about the time of Christ's suffering and the glory that would follow it (1 Peter 1:10-11; Isaiah 53:1-12; Psalms 22:1-31; Psalms 16:8-11).

The same Holy Spirit which inspired the Old Testament prophets also gave Paul, and others who preached in Asia Minor, the words to speak as they taught. Thus, the Holy Spirit foretold salvation's coming through the prophets and announced that it was here through the apostles. Peter says angels had an intense desire to know God's plan for man's salvation, so they stooped down to look closely into it (1 Peter 1:12). Peter thus makes a case for the great value others placed on merely knowing about God's plan to take man to heaven. Those living under the law of Christ not only have such fully revealed to them, they also can enjoy the full reward!