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The Hebrew Bible II

Types and Shadows

The Torah is full of types and shadows of Christ.

Hebrews 10:1 For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect. …

The three most holy sacrifices described in Leviticus,  the burnt offering (olah or ascension offering), guilt offering and sin offering, all had to be killed at the North side of the altar.  The place where Jesus later gave his life, was at a place on the north side of Mount Moriah, outside the city walls. It was the same place where King Solomon quarried the stones with which the first temple was built. On this spot  Jesus was crucified.
The whole temple service speaks about Jesus.
The temple services and the tabernacle were the earthly shadow (a model) of an heavenly reality.

Hebrews 8:5 They (the priests) serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. For He said, “See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.

The way in which Israel was encamped around the tabernacle in the desert speaks about Christ.

The feasts in Leviticus 23, Gods appointed time (and not ‘Jewish feasts’ as they are sometimes called) speak about both Jesus’ first coming and His return.

Colossians 2:16 Let no one, then, judge you in eating or in drinking, or in respect of a feast, or of a new moon, or of sabbaths, 17  which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance (the body) is of Christ.

The first four feasts are:

  1. Passover,
  2. Unleavened bread (which is seven days long),
  3. First Fruits,
  4. Feast of Weeks.

Passover: Jesus was crucified at Passover

Unleavened bread: He was the bread of life and He was completely without sin or leaven

Firstfruits: He was the first to be raised from the dead, on the first day of the week (which Biblically speaking began at sunset on Saturday evening).

Feast of Weeks: Exactly 50 days afterwards, at the same feast that the Law was given on Sinai, the new covenant, the Holy Spirit was sent to inscribe Gods instructions, not on tablets of stone, but on our hearts. Pentecost derives its name from the counting of 50 days from Passover. It does not have a specific date but the counting of the days means that Passover is only complete at Pentecost.

The second cycle of feasts are the Feast of Trumpets, the Day of Atonements (in Hebrew atonement is plural not singular) and the Feast of Tabernacles (which is seven days long).

The Feast of Tabernacles concludes with a special Sabbath (called a shabbatton). On the 8th day of the Feast of Tabernacles, you are no longer allowed to sit or dwell in your little tent or shelter. It speaks of things beyond this world, a time when heaven and earth meet. Many believe that Jesus will return during the Feast of Tabernacles.

It is important to know Gods plan and His appointed times. Jesus castigated the Pharisees for knowing everything about the weather and yet not understanding Gods timing.

The genealogies in the Bible also reflect the Messiah.

The names of the first ten generations from Adam to Noah form a sentence that tells the story of the whole gospel See: The Gospel in Noah’s geneaology.

The names of the tribes of Israel, the sons of Jacob, are all about Jesus.

See: The Messiah and the tribes of Israel.
The typology in the stories – for example: the stories of Joseph and of Jonah

A few parallels between the lives of Joseph and Jesus (in no special order).

  1. Both born through a miracle  Gen.30:2 and 22    Isa. 7:14  Matt. 1:20-23
  2. Both went to Egypt in their youth Gen. 39:1 – Matt. 3:13-14
  3. Both began their life’s work at the age of thirty Gen.41:46 Luke.3[ 23]
  4. Both were shepherds of their father’s sheep Gen. 37:2 – John 10:11, 14
  5. Both were loved by their fathers Gen. 37:3 – Matt. 3:17, 17:5; John 3:35, 5:20, 2Pet. 1:17
  6. Both were hated by their own  Gen.37[ 4, 8 – John 7:7
  7. Both were sold for the pieces of silver Gen. 37:28  Matt.27:3, 9 (Jospeh 20, Jesus 30)
  8. Both were between two prisoners Gen.40[ 1] – Mark.15[ 27]
  9. Both were falsely accused Gen.39[ 14-18 – Mark.14[ 56]
  10. Josephs brothers ate a meal while he was in the pit (Genesis 37:25). Jesus people ate a meal (Passover) when He went down into the pit (John 13:1).
  11. Both stood up out of the pit Genesis 37:28, John 20
  12. Both had garments dipped in blood    Gen. 37:31 – Rev. 19:13
  13. Both returned to their father Gen.46 [29] – John 14:28
  14. Both became a servant and were then exalted highly Gen. 39 – Phil. 2:7
  15. Both were a blessing to others Gen. 39:5 Eph 1:3
  16. Both were a provider of bread Gen. 41:48 – John 6:48