The Resurrection in the Old Testament

The New Testament clearly presents the doctrine of the resurrection. But do you know any clear references to the doctrine of resurrection in the Old Testament? Here is a basic list of some key verses, among my personal favorites. Feel free to contribute others, because my list is not exhaustive.Job 19:26-27And though after my skin worms destroy this body, Yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, And mine eyes shall behold, and not another; Though my reins be consumed within me.This appears to be the oldest recorded Bible reference to the resurrection, written perhaps as early at 2000 B.C. The patriarch Job declares in plain language that though his body would decay in the grave, he would stand before God, His Redeemer, with the same body resurrected, redeemed and renewed.Gen. 22:5 (cf. Heb. 11:19)And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide you here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you.According to Hebrews 11:19, Abraham believed that God was able to resurrect his only son, Isaac, from the dead. He lived as early as 1500 B.C. But where does this belief appear in the Old Testament? In Genesis 22:5, Abraham tells some men that he and Isaac would return to them after they worship God on Mt. Moriah. This is most remarkable, since he expected to sacrifice Isaac. Though he had never witnessed a resurrection, he believed that God would resurrect Isaac if he died as a sacrifice.Daniel 12:2-3And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.Daniel foretells the end of all things. Those people throughout history who died apart from the redemption of God will enter eternity in bodily form, plagued by sin and conscious torment forever. Those who died as redeemed children of God will enter eternity with resurrected, renewed bodies, free from sin, death and decay, living triumphantly in the presence of God forever.Psalm 49:15But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: For he shall receive me. Selah.David contrasts the death of those who die, trusting in themselves and their material possessions. These will die and decay without hope. But those who die trusting in the redemption of God will not be consigned to hopeless decay. They will be delivered out from the grave into the presence of God.