Similitudes and Types in the Scripture
TYPOLOGY
The Old Testament contains literal, true stories with a double, even triple, future application. Pictures are for our learning of future events and absolutely necessary if we are rightly to understand the word of God.
- (Psa. 40:7 KJV) “Then said I, ‘Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me.’”
- (Heb 10:7 KJV) “ Then said I, ‘Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.’”
All is about Jesus. You can see Yeshua in every book, chapter and with the discovery of Hebraic coding, often even in every verse of scripture. Sometimes clearly and sometimes dimly. Nevertheless, standing somewhere in the shadows, Yeshua can always be seen. Most Christians view the Old Testament as merely a collection of historical tales or useful in supplying Sunday school stories for children. NOT!
St Augustine: “The new is in the old contained, the old is in the new explained.”
The personal loss is great to those who do not study for themselves the “Tenach”. Most feel it’s too difficult and not for today. But the precious things of God’s word are not all upon the surface, we must dig in order to find them. Diligence is needed but the rewards of the finds are better than gold.
- (Hosea 12:10) “I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitude’s (damah) by the ministry of the prophets.”
In the past we have been taught that types are only one little piece of the Bible. It’s my opinion, and many others, that pictures run throughout the entire Bible, making the word entirely prophetic. Understanding this truth will help you rediscover and thoroughly enjoy this great book!
PICTURES
Let’s look at one of the most important and most obvious pictures in the Old Testament. The story of Abraham offering Isaac to God. Consider the following: (Turn to Genesis 22)
- Abraham - God, the Father
- Isaac - the promised Son, Jesus.
Isaac was probably not a boy but a young man. “NA’AR”, #5288.
(Genesis 22:5 NKV) And Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; the lad and I will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you.” Young men and lad are the same Hebrew word. “NA’AR”
(Genesis 22:2 NKV) Then He said, “Take now your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering (OLAH) on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.”
The Hebrew word for burnt offering is “OLAH” (Lexicon #5930) meaning a willing offering of worship. It had to be a young male but not before one year and be perfect without blemish.
(Genesis 22:4 NKV) Then on the third day Abraham lifted his eyes and saw the place afar off. (saw- #7200 RA’AH, to perceive, vision, or picture)
(Hebrews 11:13b) - “but having seen (vision) them afar off were assured” Abraham had to see into the future, the death, burial, and resurrection and by the time he bound his only son, Isaac also knew it for he had to be willing, like Jesus.
Neither Isaac nor Jesus argued or tried to stop it.
(John 8:56) “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day, AND HE SAW IT and was glad.”
Mt. Moriah is also a picture. For it is the same hill that King David offered sacrifices, both temples stood, and of course Jesus hung on the cross.
In Genesis 22:8 when Isaac asked Abraham where is the Lamb, the proper translation is “God will see #7200 or provide Himself” and they went together #3162 YACHAD, which means united, in one accord.(Hebrew/English Jerusalem Bible)
Genesis 22:9 Bound Isaac on wood - like Jesus was bound on wood.
Genesis 22:13 Ram caught in a thicket by its horns. Thicket represents sins of the people.
Genesis 22:14 Abraham prophesied and named it ADONAY - YIRH in the mount the Lord shall be seen.
During Abraham’s time, Melchizedek, the high priest and king, called it SHALEM. In Genesis 22:14, Abraham named it YIREH. So God synthesized both names calling it YIRUSHALEM.
*Going Up?^