No Decay

Old Testament prophecy fulfilled by Jesus.

Jesus would be raised from the dead.

“I have set the LORD continually before me; because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will dwell securely. For Thou wilt not abandon my soul to Sheol; neither wilt Thou allow Thy Holy One to undergo decay.” Psalm 18:8-10.

These words in Psalm 16, written by David, are prophetic of the coming Messiah. I don’t think David could have understood the words given to him by God a thousand years before Jesus. But there they are.

The word “sheol” is best understood to be the grave, or the place of the dead. In this Psalm, the writer is inspired by God to write that the “Holy One” -the Messiah- would go to the grave, but would NOT decay.

That is exactly what happened.

Jesus died, His body placed in a tomb, but His body did not decay. Jesus came back to life and was resurrected from death and the grave (sheol).

After Jesus died on the cross, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus wrapped the body of Jesus and used the traditional spices to cover the smell of rot. It was a waste of money because the body of Jesus would not decay. David wrote about it a thousand years before.

But how do we know David was speaking about Jesus in Psalm 18?  We see the fulfillment of this mentioned in Acts.

“And God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible Him to be held in its power. For David says of Him. ‘I was always beholding the LORD in my presence; for He is at My right hand, that I may not be shaken. Therefore My heart was glad and my tongue exulted; Moreover My flesh also will abide in Hope; Because Thou wilt not abandon My soul to Hades (Sheol in Psalms), nor allow They Holy One to undergo decay.’” Acts 2:24-27.

And another place in Acts:

“Therefore He also says in another Psalm, ‘Thou wilt not allow they Holy One to undergo decay.’” Acts 13:35.

Just as David had written-the Holy One would not undergo decay. Jesus appeared to hundreds of people after His resurrection. It was important that many witnessed the risen Savior. Jesus was alive.

Jesus is still alive.

Carla Killough McClafferty