Old Testament
Old Testament · Before time; the first day of creation
The Spirit Over the Waters
In the opening verses of Genesis, the Spirit of God hovers over the formless deep before the first word of creation is spoken. Catholic tradition reads this hovering as the Spirit's proper role in the Trinity's single creative act, later echoed at Christ's baptism in the Jordan.
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Old Testament · The Exodus, traditionally c. 13th century BC
The Crossing of the Red Sea
As Pharaoh's army closes in on the fleeing Israelites, the pillar of cloud and fire shields the camp while a mighty east wind divides the sea, opening dry ground for Israel's escape. The Church has long read the crossing as a type of Christian baptism and of deliverance through the Paschal Mystery.
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Old Testament · Reign of King Ahab, traditionally 9th century BC
Elijah and the Fire on Carmel
After the prophets of Baal fail for hours to summon their god, Elijah rebuilds the altar of the Lord, drenches it in water, and prays a single brief petition; fire falls from heaven and consumes the offering entirely. Israel's confession that follows, "the Lord, he is God," ends the drought and vindicates the covenant against pagan worship.
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Old Testament · Ministry of Elisha, traditionally 9th century BC
Elisha and the Shunammite's Son
A childless woman's hospitality toward the prophet Elisha is rewarded with a promised son, who later dies suddenly in the fields. Elisha shuts himself alone with the child's body, prays, and stretches himself over him, and the boy is restored to life.
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Old Testament · Reign of Nebuchadnezzar II, traditionally 6th century BC
The Fiery Furnace
Three Jewish exiles refuse to worship King Nebuchadnezzar's golden image and are cast into a furnace heated seven times over. A fourth figure, "like the Son of God," walks with them in the flames, and they emerge without a hair singed, prompting the pagan king to bless the God of Israel.
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Old Testament · Reign of King Darius the Mede, traditionally 6th century BC
Daniel in the Lions' Den
Jealous officials trick King Darius into a decree that costs Daniel his life for continuing his lifelong practice of prayer. Cast into a den of lions, Daniel is preserved unharmed through the night by an angel who shuts the lions' mouths, and is drawn out at dawn without a mark upon him.
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Old Testament · Traditionally 8th century BC, reign of Jeroboam II
Jonah and the Great Fish
Fleeing his commission to preach to Nineveh, Jonah is cast into the sea and swallowed by a great fish, spending three days and nights in its belly before being delivered to dry land. Jesus Himself cites Jonah's three days in the fish as a sign of His own coming death and Resurrection.
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