Typology

 They say history often repeats itself, and we know this expression to be true if we use the typology in the Bible as a rudder to our understanding. It is remarkable how early in my Christian life typology glared back at me without spotting it. The pattern of scripture in the lives of others teaches us so many valuable lessons especially when we look at God's patterns with His beloved Son our beautiful Saviour.

 

Typology in the Bible: Understanding Symbols and Foreshadows

Typology in the Bible refers to people, events, or things in the Old Testament that symbolically foreshadow a greater reality fulfilled in Jesus Christ or the New Testament. These “types” serve as divine patterns or previews of God’s ultimate plan.

 

1. Key Elements of Typology

• Type – A person, event, or object in the Old Testament that points to Christ or a New Testament truth.
• Antitype – The fulfilment of the type, usually in Jesus Christ or His work.

For example:
 Adam (type) → Christ (antitype)
The Passover Lamb (type) → Jesus, the Lamb of God (antitype)

2. Examples of Biblical Typology

A. People as Types of Christ

1.     Adam → Christ

o    "For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive." (1 Corinthians 15:22)

o    Adam brought sin and death, but Jesus brings life and salvation.

2.     Melchizedek → Christ as the Eternal Priest

o    "You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek." (Psalm 110:4, Hebrews 7:1-3)

o    Melchizedek was a priest and king, foreshadowing Christ’s eternal priesthood.

3.     Joseph → Christ’s Suffering and Exaltation

o    Joseph was rejected by his brothers, suffered unjustly, and later saved them—just as Jesus was rejected, suffered, and became the Savior of the world. In like manner, the Jews rejected Jesus and eventually will accept him as Saviour   

B. Events as Types of Christ’s Work

1.     The Passover Lamb → Jesus, the Lamb of God

o    "For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed." (1 Corinthians 5:7)

o    The blood of the lamb in Egypt spared Israel, just as Jesus' blood spares us from sin and death.

2.     The Exodus → Salvation in Christ

o    Israel’s deliverance from Egypt symbolizes our deliverance from sin through Christ (1 Corinthians 10:1-2).

3.     The Bronze Serpent → Christ’s Crucifixion

o    "Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up." (John 3:14)

o    Looking at the serpent in faith brought healing, just as looking to Jesus brings salvation.

C. Objects as Types of Spiritual Realities

1.     The Tabernacle → Jesus as the Dwelling of God

o    The Tabernacle housed God's presence; Jesus is "God with us" (John 1:14).

2.     The Ark of the Covenant → Christ as God's Presence

o    The ark represented God's presence and the atonement; Jesus is our true mediator (Hebrews 9:11-12).

3.     Manna → Christ as the Bread of Life

o    "I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, yet they died." (John 6:48-50)

o    Manna sustained Israel physically; Jesus sustains us spiritually.

3. Why Typology Matters

• Shows the unity of Scripture – The Old and New Testaments form one divine plan.
• Strengthens faith – Seeing Christ in the Old Testament deepens our trust in God’s promises.
• Reveals God’s sovereignty – He designed history to point to Christ long before His coming. Reveals God’s sovereignty – He designed history to point to Christ long before He came.

Conclusion

Typology is a powerful way to understand how the Old Testament foreshadows Jesus and His redemptive work. From Adam to the Exodus, from the Passover to the Tabernacle, everything ultimately points to Christ as the fulfilment of God’s plan.

 

Always looking to Jesus in faith to get us home.

 

Signing out

 

Tyrone