LESSON 1 Representation and Symbols - A Study
Representation and Symbols - A Study
Bible Portion: 1 Corinthians 10:1-11
Testament era, we should be thankful for the great revelation we received. These Old Testament happenings help us to better understand the revelation in Christ. We should not reject the Old Testament but study it in the light of the New Testament.
The symbolism in the Old Testament can be divided into four parts. They are rituals, personalities, incidents, and structures.
1. Rituals
Rituals of worship, such as sacrifices, festivals, and priestly duties, stand as shadows of the truth revealed in the New Testament. For example, the sacrifice of the Passover lamb is the shadow of the sacrifice of Christ on the Cross. Our Passover lamb, Christ, is sacrificed for us (1 Corin. 5:7,8). We will look into the details later on.
2. Personalities (Individuals)
Some of the persons in the Old Testament stand as shadows of Christ. While others point to the life of New Testament believers.
Adam
Adam represents the head of humanity fallen and under the control of sin, while Christ is the head of the redeemed (Eph. 5:23). Through Adam, sin entered into the world, and death came as a result of sin; and so death passed upon all men (Rom. 5:12). But the justification of life came to all men through the obedience of Christ, the last Adam (Rom. 5:18. 19). For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive (1 Corin. 15:22). The first man (Adam) was of the earth, earthy; the second man (Christ) is from heaven, heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly (1 Corin. 15:47-49).
Isaac
Isaac was born the promised son to Abraham (Gen. 17:19; 21:1-3). Jesus Christ was also born into the world as the son of the promise. The promise given to Abraham in Gen 22:18, "In thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed," is fulfilled in Christ (Gen.22:18; Gal. 3:16). Isaac obeyed his father even unto death (Gen 22:1-14). Jesus also was obedient to death, even to death on the cross (Phil. 2:8). Eliezer, the steward of Abraham, was instrumental in finding a wife for Isaac, which is symbolic of the fact that the Holy Spirit is preparing a bride for Christ.
Joseph
Jacob's beloved son, Joseph, in the Old Testament stands as a representation of God's beloved Son, Jesus Christ. Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers when he went to enquire about their wellbeing. John 1:11 says, "He (Jesus) came to his own, and his own received him not." Joseph was sold by his brothers for 20 pieces of silver, while Jesus was betrayed by Judas Iscariot for 30 pieces of silver (Gen. 37:38; Matthew 25:15). Even though Joseph was innocent, he was thrown into prison, in due time, he rose to become the governor of Egypt. Likewise, Jesus, though innocent, was crucified, died, and was buried on the third day, resurrected from death, and ascended to heaven. God highly exalted him and gave him a name above every name.
Apart from the above mentioned, we have Melchizedek in his priestly duties (Heb. 7:3; 8:2), Moses in his faithfulness (Heb. 3:2-6), David in his kingly stature (Isaiah 11:1-3), Solomon in his wisdom (2 Chr. 9:3-5; Matthew 6:29; 12:42), who all stand in place of Jesus Christ in the Old Testament.
3. Incidents
Many of the incidents in the Old Testament are basically the shadow of the truths in the New Testament. For example, the sacrifice of Cain, where he sacrificed the fruit of the ground as a result of his work, points to those who try to gain salvation through their own ability. While on the other hand, the sacrifice of Abel, where he sacrificed from the firstborn of the flock, points to those who gain salvation through faith. Moreover, it shows that salvation is attained in the supreme sacrifice of Jesus (Gen. 4:2-5; Heb. 11:4). The historical fact of the journey of the Israelites to the Promised Land through the wilderness, delivered from slavery by the blood of the Passover lamb is actually the picture of the journey of a believer to eternity through the wilderness of this world, delivered from the slavery of sin by the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross (1 Cor. 10:1-12). Try to find such incidents from the scripture.
4. Structures
Structures built by the command of God, such as Noah's Ark, Tabernacles, and the Temple at Jerusalem, all point to spiritual truths. When wickedness flourished during the time of Noah, those who feared God
escaped judgment by entering the ark made at the command of God, Noah's Ark represents salvation that God had prepared for humanity through Jesus Christ. The Tabernacle, the Temple, and the vessels used all depict different New Testament truths. We will look into the details later on. The central theme of redemption from the clutches of sin through the salvific act of Jesus on the cross is the message that God wants to communicate to us today. The truths on the coming of Jesus and his work of salvation were given to us in the life of the people and the happenings in the Old Testament. The reality is found in Christ. Moreover, the Old Testament dealings of God are an example for us who live in this modern era. So we need to study the Old Testament prayerfully in the light of the New Testament. Thereby we will be able to understand the will of God in our lives and live to please him.
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Questions
1. Explain the relationship between the Old Testament and the New Testament?
2. What is the purpose of studying the symbols and shadows?
3. 4. Which are the main groups of symbols? Give an example for each. What is the main topic revealed by God through the symbols?
5. 6. How is Isaac a shadow of Jesus? In how many ways does Joseph represent Jesus?
7. Compare the first Adam with the last Adam.
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