Introduction

Have you ever said, “I could never understand the Bible...”?
Well say no more!

There are great riches of wisdom and knowledge to be found in the Word of God, the Bible. Many of these golden nuggets of truth are seen through “types” and “shadows”, also known as “foreshadows”. That is to say, the Scriptures speak of physical, tangible items to represent spiritual realities. The meanings behind these biblical symbols are now being revealed quarterly, at this brand new site, “Types&Foreshadows”.

When a symbol represents Jesus Christ Himself, it is called a “type” of Christ. For example, Joseph, in the book of Exodus, symbolizes Christ through the experiences he had and the life he lived. Joseph was thrown into a pit1 as Christ was buried in a tomb.2 He was sold into slavery for a few coins,3 as Judas Iscariot “sold” Christ.4 Joseph had his garment dipped in blood,5 just as Christ's robe was.6 Of course, Christ forgave his persecutors,7 and So did Joseph.8When a symbol corresponds to something other than Christ, it is called a “shadow” or “foreshadow”. Consider how trees and wood are used as foreshadows to symbolize man and humanity. The man who does not walk in the counsel of evil doers, but meditates in God's Word, for example, is like a tree planted by streams of water.9 When Jesus healed a man of blindness, the man looked up and said, “I see men, ...like trees, walking around.”10 The prophet Isaiah said, “...So they will be called oaks of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.”11

Another beautiful example is the ark of the covenant, which was constructed of “acacia” wood, overlaid with gold.12 The gold coating acts as a preservative, so the wood does not become corrupted with age. It represents the incorruptible humanity of Jesus Christ. The ark being covered with gold is a symbol of Christ's life being enveloped in the splendor of God and Heaven.

Probably the most explicit example is Christ, carrying the cross on His back. Hoisting this piece of a “tree” was symbolic of Christ's greatest accomplishment, bearing the sin of all mankind. When visiting, please feel free to check out the various articles, and be blessed as you do. You can read the first article, Christ Our Rock by clicking this link.

©2003 Scott Miller

Scripture References:

1

So it came about, when Joseph reached his brothers, that they stripped Joseph of his tunic, the varicolored tunic that was on him; and they took him and threw him into the pit. Now the pit was empty, without any water in it. (Genesis 37:23, 24)
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2 Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. Therefore because of the Jewish day of preparation, since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there. (John 19:42)
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3 Then some Midianite traders passed by, so they pulled him up and lifted Joseph out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. Thus they brought Joseph into Egypt. (Genesis 37:28)
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4 Then one of the twelve, named Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests, and said, “What are you willing to give me to betray Him to you?” And they weighed out thirty pieces of silver to him. From then on he began looking for a good opportunity to betray Jesus. (Matthew 26:14-16)
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5 So they took Joseph's tunic, and slaughtered a male goat and dipped the tunic in the blood; (Genesis 37:31)
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6 He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. (Revelation 19:13)
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7 When they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left. But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves. (Luke 23:33, 34)
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8 "But Joseph said to them, "Do not be afraid, for am I in God's place? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive. So therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones." So he comforted them and spoke kindly to them. (Genesis 50:19-21)
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9 How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in it’s season and its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers. (Psalm 1:1-3)
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10 And they came to Bethsaida. And they brought a blind man to Jesus and implored Him to touch him. Taking the blind man by the hand, He brought him out of the village; and after spitting on his eyes and laying His hands on him, He asked him, “Do you see anything?” And he looked up and said, “I see men, for I see them like trees, walking around." (Mark 8:22-24)

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11 To grant those who mourn in Zion, Giving them a garland instead of ashes, The oil of gladness instead of mourning, The mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified. (Isaiah 61:3)

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12 Now Bezalel made the ark of acacia wood; its length was two and a half cubits, and its width one and a half cubits, and its height one and a half cubits; and he overlaid it with pure gold inside and out, and made a gold molding for it all around. (Exodus 37:1,2)

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“Scripture quotations taken from the New American Standard Bible®,
Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973,1975, 1977, 1995
by The Lockman Foundation
Used by permission.” (www.Lockman.org)

       

 

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