(2) One may ask, what is the idea behind indirect types. Put simply, What are indirect types? An example will make it easy to understand. Babylon is not directly mentioned as a type in the New Testament. But, we know that ancient Babylon was destroyed by Persia in 539 B.C. The Book of Revelations meanwhile, was written only around 90 A.D. There was not a country called Baylon in the political map in 90 A.D. Still, the Book of Revelations contains prophecies about Babylon (See Revelations 14, 16, 17 & 18 Chapters). This oddity, that prohecies were written about a country that had been destroyed more than 600 years ago and hence was no longer in existence, conveys indirectly that ancient Babylon is a shadow. In this fashion, the New Testament writers have subtly indicated certain Old Testament events and people as shadows. But, one has to be cautious when identifying such types. The indirect nature of their identifation should not be used as an excuse to deem any and every part of Old Testament as types. Though indirect, there has to be a valid reason behind such identifications. In the example we saw, Babylon was not identified as an indirect type, just because it was mentioned in the New Testament. It was identified as a type only because of the strangeness of having prophecies written about it, 600 years after its destruction. It is necessary to properly understand the rationale behind identifying indirect types. The writers of the New Testament refer to many Old Testament events and persons. Not all those references can be construed as types. Either, it should be mentioned directly in the New Testament that such and such events are types. Or, there should be a rational explanation that enables us to identify them as indirect types. Short of that, it is inappropriate to randomly do typical studies. This point cannot be overstated because many have veered away from the truth due to wrong typical studies which are based on random speculation rather than based on scriptural sanction. It should be kept in mind while studying types that no new doctrine can be gleaned only from typical studies. Shadows are nothing but mere reflections of the realities. So, typical studies must be done only in compliance with direct statements of the Bible. If these precepts are followed with caution, fruitful typical studies can be undertaken. This issue will attempt one such study.
(3) Many Old Testament prophecies are quoted in the New Testament. Many of these citations refer to the fulfillment of those prophecies. But, a few of such citations are used to highlight the similiarities in context rather than prophetic fulfilment. This was explained in Blossom 5 of Grace. Meanwhile, a few other New Testament citations of the Old Testament reveal indirect types. Jesus – Israel is one such indirect type. The history of the Israelites typically reflect the life of Jesus. How can we say so? Though, this is not mentioned directly in the New Testament, in the 2nd chapter of Matthew, this is indirectly revealed. Matthew 2:14,15 says the following – ‘So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son’ (NIV). The prophet mentioned here is Hosea. This prophecy is found in the 11th chapter of the book of Hosea. But, therein, it is clearly a prophecy regarding the Israelites -‘When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. But the more I called Israel, the further they went from me. They sacrificed to the Baals and they burned incense to images’ (NIV) (Hosea 11:1,2). God chides the Israelites for going away from him and worshipping alien gods, despite his great love that brought them out of Egyptian bondage. Though Hosea was prophecying to the Northern Kingdom of Israel, his reference of Egyptian bondage in the 1st verse is part of the common history of Israelites. By using that reference to Jesus, Matthew compares the common experiences of Israelites and the experiences of Jesus. This clearly shows that some of the experiences of the Israelites, typically signify some experieces of Jesus.
(4) Before we proceed to explore that type, it is necessary to understand another important aspect of typical studies. While studying types, we concentrate chiefly on the similarities between the types and the anti-types. That is, we chart how certain aspects of the anti-type were signified in the type. However, while studying the similarities, it is also essential to study the contrasts. Truly, contrasts are also present between types and anti-types. Apostle Paul enunciates the reason for this – ‘the law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves’ (Hebrews 10:1). Types are not the realities. Realities are grander than the types. The reason for this is simple; covenant of the New Testament is grander than the covenant of the Old Testament. Realities are happenings under the latest, grander covenant and hence they are more magnificent. For example, even though the High Priest of the Law Covenant typified Christ, since Christ is superior to that high priest, many contrasts do exist. Apostle Paul highlights them in his letter to the Hebrews – High priests died, Christ lives forever (Hebrews 7:23-25), High Priests had to sacrifice for their own sins as well, Christ did not have that need (Hebrews 7:27,28), High Priests were called according to the Aaronic priesthood, Christ was called according to the Melchidek priesthood (Hebrews 7:11-17). Only when we study such contrasts, we will be able to appreciate the grandness of the realities. In the type we are going to study as well, there are contrasts and similarities. Those contrasts bring out how the experiences of Christ were better than that of the Israelites.
(5) Firstly, let us explore the similarities between the experiences of Jesus and the experiences of Israel –
- Israel was chosen before its birth (Malachi 1:2, Roman 9:10-13, See Scripture Study – Blossom 03:April 10, para 03). Christ was also chosen before his birth as the Messiah (1 Peter 1:19,20).
- God calls Israel as his son and that too as his firstborn son (Exodus 4:22,23). Christ is also the son of God, and also a firstborn among many brothers (Romans 8:29).
- Israelites went to Egypt due to Joseph (See Genesis 46-50 Chapters). The first century Joseph was warned by angels and he took Jesus to Egypt (Matthew 2:13-15).
- Israelites wandered in the desert for 40 years (Deuteronomy 2:7). Christ was in the desert for forty days (Matthew 4:1.2). Just as the Israelites were tested in the desert, Christ was also tested in the desert.
- Paul says that the crossing of the Red sea by the Israelites amounted to their baptism (1 Corinthians 10:1,2). Christ also undertook baptism (Matthew 3:13).
- The Israelites crossed the Jordan River and entered the Promised Land (See Joshua 1-4 Chapters). Christ began his long promised Messianic duties, after taking baptism in the very same Jordan.
- Even after entering the Promised Land by crossing Jordan, the Israelites did not immediately take control of it. They had to fight many battles. In the same way, after his baptism in Jordan, Christ had to face many hurdles before he completed his Messianic duty.
- Israelites, built a temple for Yahweh in Jerusalem (1 Kings 6:1). Christ is also building a temple for God in the heavenly Jerusalem. Indeed, we the church are that temple (1 Corinthians 3:16).
(6) Thus, we are able to see many similarities between the history of the Israelites and the experiences of Christ. Indeed, there may be many other similarities which we have not listed above. While acknowledging these similarities, it is important to appreciate the differences as well. There are contrasts even within the similarities we saw above. Let us now explore the contrasts one by one –
- Though the Israelites were also chosen, their blessing was an earthly one. Whereas, Christ’s blessing was a heavenly one.
- Similarly, the Israelites were God’s firstborn among the earthly tribes. Christ on the other hand was God’s firstborn in heaven.
- God was angry with the Israelites in the desert because they failed the trials that befall them there. But, When Christ was tested for forty days by Satan in the wilderness, he overcame those tests. A closer reading reveals that the trials that came upon both Jesus and Israel were similar in nature. Let us explore this in detail. Christ’s first trial was regarding food. After fasting for forty days, Christ was hungry (Matthew 6:2). Satan asks Jesus to use his power as the
Son of God and turn stones into bread and eat (Matthew 4:3). Jesus replies to him in this fashion – ‘It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God’ (Matthew 4:4). It is important to note from which part of the Old Testament that Jesus is quoting his answer from. The Israelites grumbled about food during their desert journey (Exodus 16:2,3). Moses said to them later that God caused them to ‘hunger’ to teach them that ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God’ (Deuteronomy 8:3). Jesus quotes that statement of Moses to Satan. Indeed, the trial of hunger came upon both Israelites and Jesus in the desert. While the Israelites succumbed to it, Jesus in contrast overcame it. Later on, Satan took Jesus to the highest point of the temple and enticed him to test God by jumping down from there (Matthew 4:5,6). Jesus replied – ‘It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test’ (Matthew 4:7). Even this quote of Jesus was also from Moses, wherein Moses was advising the Israelites (See Deuteronomy 6:16).The Israelites tested the Lord at Massah by asking for water. Citing that event, when they tested whether the Lord was among them or not, Moses advises them not to test God (Exodus 17:1-7). In this way, a temptation to test God came upon both the Israelites and Jesus in the desert. Again, the Israelites yielded to that temptation but Jesus withstood it and came out on the top. Finally, Jesus was tempted to worship Satan. Satan told Jesus that if he bowed down and worshipped him, he would give him all the kingdoms of the world (Matthew 4:8,9). In response, Jesus said – ‘Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only’ (Matthew 4:10). Amazingly, Jesus quotes once again Moses. And, that too again from Moses’ advice to the Israelites (See Deuteronomy 6:13). Moses took a long time to come down from Mount. Sinai. That delay became a temptation for the Israelites to worship other Gods (Exodus 32:1). They thought that Moses had died and hence decided to have a visible symbol to guide them. They sculpted a calf and worshipped it (Exodus 32:1-6). Because of that unfaithfulness, they became subject to the wrath of God (Exodus 32:35). In this way, a temptation to worship someone or something other than Yahweh God came upon both the Israelites and Jesus. Again, the Israelites failed whereas Jesus triumphed. Summing up, while the manner in which the temptations came upon Israelites and Jesus differed, the meaning and substance of them remained the same. Even the order in which they came was similar. Firstly, the temptation of flesh i.e. food (Exodus 16th Chapter), followed by the enticement to test God (Exodus 17th Chapter) and finally the temptation to worship someone or something other than Yahweh (Exodus 32nd Chapter). While, the Israelites failed in all the tests, Jesus emerged victorious from all of them. - After crossing the Jordan, the Israelites could not completely conquer the Promised Land. Instead of driving out all the Canaanites, which was God’s command, they made treaties with them and coexisted with them (Judges 1:27-36). This transgression of His command by the Israelites made God angry (Judges 2:1-3). Infact, as years went by, the Israelites became more sinful than the Canaanites (2 Kings 21:9-12). That was the reason for God to remove the Judaic Monarchy (See Grace – Blossom 23:December 09, para 02). Hence, the Israelites ultimately failed to fulfill the reason for which they crossed the Jordan. In the end, they even lost their control over Canaan. In contrast, Jesus who began his Messianic journey with his baptism in Jordan, fulfilled all that was needed to be fulfilled to perfection.
- Lastly, the temple built by the Israelites was made of stone. It was destroyed in the end. Infact, it was destroyed twice. The first temple built by King Solomon was destroyed by Babylon in 587 B.C. The second temple built during the period of Zerubbabel was also destroyed by the Roman armies in 70 A.D, as prophesied by Jesus (Matthew 24:1,2). But, the temple being built by Jesus is not made of stones. Truly, God does not dwell in temples built with stones and human hands (Acts 17:24). The temples built by the Israelites were mere types of the spiritual temple being built by Jesus. This spiritual temple, i.e. the Church of Christ, is being built by love (1 Peter 2:4,5). This spiritual temple will remain forever, unlike the typical Jerusalem temples.
(7) In this typical study, we explored the comparisons and contrasts between the experiences of the nation of Israel and Jesus. Truly, the contrasts brought out the grandness of the antitype. For us the church of Christ, the experiences of Israel and Jesus are lessons which we have to remember. Even we are chosen by God (Galatians 1:15). We also have undertaken water baptism. We also have a command, to confirm our faith by spreading the Gospel. We also are tested. It is in our hand to decide whether we succumb to temptations like the Israelites or overcome them like Jesus. We should not grumble due to fleshly trials. We should not lose faith in God and test him. We should never bow down or seek any worldly help over God. Indeed, it is in our hands to make our destiny. Israelites ultimately lost the privileges of crossing Jordan and were scattered worldwide. Christ on the other hand fulfilled his baptism, withstanding severe struggles and temptations. We too must strive to fulfill our covenant of baptism. Ultimately, Canaan became more sinful after its Israelite occupation than it was before and hence God scattered the Israelites (2 Kings 21:9-12). Similarly, if we continue in sin after baptism, we will also come under God’s judgment. Finally, we should be encouraged beyond measure by the fact that we ourselves are the spiritual temple being built by Jesus. It is in this temple that God will live. Let us be aware of these great privileges we have and strive to seal our faith by doing works of God. Let all praise be to God.