In this issue of Chapter and Verse, I'd like to introduce you to the subject of typology.
Typology according to Wikipedia means: a study of religious texts; the study of religious texts for the purpose of identifying episodes in them that appear to prophesy late events.
Typology (or typological symbolism) is a Christian form of biblical interpretation that proceeds on the assumption that God placed anticipations of Christ in the laws, events, and people of the Old Testament.
The doctrine of theological types; especially, one holding that things in Christian belief are prefigured or symbolized by things in the Old Testament was understood by many in the early church.
This doctrine is stated most succinctly by Paul in:
NIV Colossians 2:16 16Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or in drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon, or of a Sabbath day. 17These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.
At times, different people, places, things, events, etc. in the Old Testament were two-fold so to speak. They represented something at that point in time and yet they housed a greater truth that pointed to Jesus the messiah.
There are numerous examples of typology in the scriptures. However, time and space will only allow me to present one example regarding Jesus Christ and Moses.
Deuteronomy 18:18-19 18I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. 19And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.
Now, in order for these verses to fit into the category of typology, and pre-shadow Jesus, scripture must support this type of interpretation.
Acts 13:19-23 19And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Chanaan, he divided their land to them by lot. 20And after that he gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet. 21And afterward they desired a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years. 22And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfill all my will. 23Of this man's seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus:
So, here in Acts we see that the prophecies in Deuteronomy are without a doubt referring to Jesus Christ.
Now that we have linked these prophecies in Deuteronomy with Jesus Christ let me take you into the Word of God and begin to develop this principle of typology regarding Moses and Jesus.
You will remember that typology (or typological symbolism) is a Christian form of biblical interpretation that proceeds on the assumption that God placed anticipations of Christ in the laws, events, and people of the Old Testament.
God told Israel that he would send a particular prophet in the future. The word prophet in the book of Deuteronomy is in the singular throughout Moses' speech.
This is why it cannot refer to the prophets of the Old Testament and or the new as a whole it is talking about one special prophet.
God also told Moses that if anyone would refuse to hear this prophet, they would answer to Him for it.
And finally, this particular prophet would be like Moses in such a way that it would distinguish him from all other prophets.
The only prophet that fits into this category perfectly is our Lord Jesus Christ.
Now, let's go to the scriptures and see some of the parallels between Moses and Jesus.
Exodus1:8-11 8Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph. 9And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we: 10Come on, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there falleth out any war, they join also unto our enemies, and fight against us, and so get them up out of the land. 11Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Python and Ramses.Luke 2:1-5 1And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. 2(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 4And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
Typological Point 1: Both Jesus and Moses were born at a time when Israel was under foreign rule.
Exodus 1:15-17 15And the king of Egypt spake to the Hebrew midwives, of which the name of the one was Siphrah, and the name of the other Puah: 16And he said, When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them upon the stools; if it be a son, then ye shall kill him: but if it be a daughter, then she shall live. 17But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive.Matthew 2:16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men.
Typological point 2: The devil tried to kill both Moses and Jesus as infants by evil kings.
Exodus 2:1-4 1And there went a man of the house of Levi, and took to wife a daughter of Levi. 2And the woman conceived, and bare a son: and when she saw him that he was a goodly child, she hid him three months. 3And when she could not longer hide him, she took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch, and put the child therein; and she laid it in the flags by the river's brink. 4And his sister stood afar off, to wit what would be done to him.Matthew 2:12-14 12And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. 13And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. 14When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:
Typological point 3: The parents of both Moses and Jesus exercised faith to save the lives of their children.
Exodus 2:10 And the child grew, and she brought him unto Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her son. And she called his name Moses: and she said, Because I drew him out of the water.Matthew 2:14-15 14When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: 15And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.
Typological point 4: Both Moses and Jesus found protection for a time with the people of Egypt.
Acts 7:22 And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds.Luke 2:46-47 46And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. 47And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
Typological point 5: Both Moses and Jesus demonstrate extraordinary wisdom and understanding.
Numbers 12:3 (Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)Matthew 11:28-29 28Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Typological point 6: Both Moses and Jesus' character was marked by meekness and humility.
Numbers 12:7 My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house.Hebrews 3:1-6 1Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; 2Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house. 3For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house. 4For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God. 5And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after; 6But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.
Typological point 7: Moses and Jesus were faithful to God.
Exodus 32:1 And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.Matthew 27:21-22 21The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas. 22Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.
Typological point 8: Both Moses and Jesus were rejected by Israel for a season.
To be continued…ÿ