Christ's Work and Character Reflected in Old Testament Types
The Old Testament contains numerous "types" that foreshadow the person, work, and character of Jesus Christ. These types are individuals, objects, events, or institutions that prefigure aspects of Christ and his redemptive plan [1, 3].
Many Old Testament figures are identified as types of Christ. Adam, for instance, is seen as a type, as noted in Romans 5:14 and 1 Corinthians 15:45 [1]. Other individuals include Abel, Abraham, David, and Eliakim [1]. David, as king of Israel, is a type of Christ's kingship, with prophecies like Ezekiel 37:24 and Psalm 89:19-20 pointing to a greater Davidic ruler [1]. Job is also considered a type, particularly in his suffering and righteousness, which resonate with descriptions of Jesus Christ in Isaiah 53:9 and Psalm 22:7 [4].
Beyond individuals, various Old Testament institutions and objects serve as types. The ark of Noah, the ark of the covenant, the brazen serpent, the brazen altar, and the cities of refuge are all listed as types of Christ [1]. Sacrifices offered on the Day of Atonement, such as the burnt offering, are also understood to prefigure Christ's ultimate sacrifice [1]. The Old Testament also points to Christ as a "stone," specifically the cornerstone on which the new temple is built, the keystone of God's redemptive plan, and a stone that causes some to stumble, as referenced in Isaiah 8:14, 28:16, and Psalm 118:22 [6].
The character of Christ, described as "altogether lovely" (Song of Solomon 5:16), is reflected in Old Testament prophecies and figures. He is portrayed as holy, righteous, good, faithful, true, just, guileless, sinless, spotless, innocent, harmless, and meek [2]. His obedience to God the Father, zeal, and resistance to temptation are also highlighted [2]. The Old Testament Scriptures, including the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms, collectively point to God's salvation through Christ [3]. The apostles, such as Philip, used these Old Testament scriptures to demonstrate that Jesus was the Messiah and that his life, death, and resurrection fulfilled these ancient prophecies [7]. The suffering of Christ, for example, was foretold "by the mouths of all his prophets" [5]. The entire Old Testament is seen as a testimony of God's will and of Christ's person, office, sufferings, and death [8].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Types of Christ — Adam -- Ro 5:14; 1Co 15:45. Abel -- Ge 4:8,10; Heb 12:24. Abraham -- Ge 17:5; Eph 3:15. Aaron -- Ex 28:1; Heb 5:4,5; Le 16:15; Heb 9:7,24. Ark -- Ge 7:16; 1Pe 3:20,21. Ark of the Covenant -- Ex 25:16; Ps 40:8; Isa 42:6. Atonement, sacrifices offered on the day of -- Le 16:15,16; Heb 9:12,24. Brazen serpent -- Nu 21:9; Joh 3:14,15. Brazen altar -- Ex 27:1,2; Heb 13:10. Burnt offering -- Le 1:2,4; Heb 10:10. Cities of refuge -- Nu 35:6; Heb 6:18. David -- 2Sa 8:15; Eze 37:24; Ps 89:19,20; Php 2:9. Eliakim -- Isa 22:20-22; Re 3:7. First-fruits -- Ex 22”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Christ, Character Of — Altogether lovely -- Song 5:16. Holy -- Lu 1:35; Ac 4:27; Re 3:7. Righteous -- Isa 53:11; Heb 1:9. Good -- Mt 19:16. Faithful -- Isa 11:5; 1Th 5:24. True -- Joh 1:14; 7:18; 1Jo 5:20. Just -- Zec 9:9; Joh 5:30; Ac 22:14. Guileless -- Isa 53:9; 1Pe 2:22. Sinless -- Joh 8:46; 2Co 5:21. Spotless -- 1Pe 1:19. Innocent -- Mt 27:4. Harmless -- Heb 7:26. Resisting temptation -- Mt 4:1-10. Obedient to God the Father -- Ps 40:8; Joh 4:34; 15:10. Zealous -- Lu 2:49; Joh 2:17; 8:29. Meek -- Isa 53:7; Zec 9:9; Mt 11:29. Lowly in heart -- Mt 11:29. Merciful ”
- Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 24:44: 24:44 the law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms: Jesus referred to the three sections of the Hebrew Scriptures: the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings. The entire Old Testament points to God’s salvation through Christ.”
- Job (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Job 16:16: foul--rather, "is red," that is, flushed and heated [UMBREIT and NOYES]. shadow of death--that is, darkening through many tears (Lam 5:17). Job here refers to Zophar's implied charge (Job 11:14). Nearly the same words occur as to Jesus Christ (Isa 53:9). So Job 16:10 above answers to the description of Jesus Christ (Psa 22:13; Isa 50:6, and Job 16:4 to Psa 22:7). He alone realized what Job aspired after, namely, outward righteousness of acts and inward purity of devotion. Jesus Christ as the representative man is typified in some degree in every servan”
- Acts (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Acts 3:18: But those things which God before had showed,.... In the Scriptures of the Old Testament, concerning the betraying of the Messiah, and his sufferings and death, with the various causes, concomitants, and circumstances of them: by the mouths of all his prophets; which were since the world began; some pointing out one thing or circumstance, and some another: that Christ should suffer. The Vulgate Latin and Syriac versions read, "that his Christ should suffer"; but then they leave out the word "his" in the preceding clause, which they put into this; and this entire cla”
- 1 Peter (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Peter 2:6: 2:6-8 The three Old Testament quotations in these verses each identify Christ as some kind of stone: the cornerstone on which the new temple is built (2:6); the cornerstone that God, despite peoples’ rejection, has elevated to be the keystone of his redemptive plan (2:7); and the stone that makes people stumble (2:8). Jesus quotes Ps 118:22 (Matt 21:42), and Paul quotes both Isa 8:14 and 28:16 (Rom 9:33). Likely these three quotations were brought together very early as a combined Old Testament testimony to the nature and significance of Jesus the Messiah.”
- Acts (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Acts 8:35: Began at the same scripture - He did not confine himself to this one scripture, but made this his text, and showed, from the general tenor of the sacred writings, that Jesus was the Christ, or Messiah; and that in his person, birth, life, doctrine, miracles, passion, death, and resurrection, the Scriptures of the Old Testament were fulfilled. This preaching had the desired effect, for the eunuch was convinced of the truth of Philip's doctrine, and desired to be baptized in the name of Jesus.”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 78:5: For he established a testimony in Jacob,.... So the law is called, being a testification of the divine will, Exo 25:16 and the Scriptures, the writings of the Old Testament, which testify of Christ, his person, office, sufferings, and death, Isa 8:20 and particularly the Gospel, which is the testimony of God, of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of his apostles, Ti2 1:8 which bears witness to the love and grace of God in the salvation of men by Christ; to the dignity of Christ's person, to the fulness of his grace, to each of the offices and relations he bears and stands in ”