| From Genesis 1:1 all the way through the Bible to the | | | | (Matthew 12:42) In the northern kingdom there were |
| last verse of Revelation, there is a plan by which man | | | | nine different dynasties. However, in the southern |
| can receive salvation and the promise of God for | | | | kingdom the dynasty of David is preserved and |
| eternal life with Jesus Christ. This plan is like a scarlet | | | | thereby also the linage of David of which Christ |
| cord which runs all the way through the Old and New | | | | comes. Elijah is more a type of John the Baptist than |
| Testaments. This plan is embodied in the life, ministry, | | | | Christ but he reminds us of Christ in that he stressed |
| and deity of Jesus Christ. In this article we shall | | | | repentance. |
| examine this scarlet cord; the Christ of the Old and | | | | I & II CHRONICLES The tribe of Judah figures |
| New Testament. | | | | prominently in Chronicles because it is the tribe from |
| Many uninformed Christians believe that Jesus Christ | | | | which the Messiah will come. The genealogies in |
| "appeared" on the scene in the book of Matthew and | | | | Chapters 1-9 of I Chronicles is a preamble to the |
| that the New Testament is about Christ and His | | | | genealogy of Jesus found in Matthew. The messianic |
| teachings. They also believe that the Old Testament is | | | | line was threatened by murders, treachery, battles, and |
| an account of the history and laws of the Jewish | | | | captivity but it remains clear and unbroken from Adam |
| people before the time of Christ. They do not see or | | | | to Zerubbabel. (See genealogies of Christ in Matthew 1 |
| recognize the relationship between the two | | | | and Luke 3) The temple also is a picture of Christ. |
| testaments. The relationship is Christ. | | | | Note these three passages: "in this place there is One |
| As early as Genesis 3:15 we see Christ in the Old | | | | greater than the temple." (Matthew 12:6); "Destroy this |
| Testament. The Old Testament is replete with | | | | temple, and in three days I will raise it up." (John 2:19); |
| prophesies about the coming Messiah, and God begins | | | | and "But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God |
| to tell His people these in the first book of the Bible. In | | | | Almighty and the Lamb are its temple." (Revelation |
| Genesis 3:15 we see that Christ is the seed of the | | | | 21:22) |
| woman; in 4:25 we see that He is from the line of | | | | EZRA: In Ezra we see the continuation of the promise |
| Seth; in 9:27 we see that the line continues through | | | | of God to keep the descendants alive. Zerubbabel is |
| Shem; in 12:3 the line continues through Abraham; in | | | | part of the messianic line. The remnant has returned to |
| 21:12 the line continues through Isaac; in 25:23 through | | | | the land of promise, and it is here in Bethlehem that |
| Jacob; and in 49:10 we see that Christ shall be of the | | | | Jesus will be born. The book of Ezra itself is a picture |
| tribe of Judah. | | | | of Christ and His work of forgiveness and restoration. |
| Another way we see Christ in the Old Testament is | | | | NEHEMIAH: Nehemiah is also a picture of Christ in His |
| through types. A "type" is a historical fact that | | | | work of restoration. Nehemiah also is a type of Christ |
| illustrates a spiritual truth. For example, Adam is said to | | | | in that he too gave up a high position in order to help |
| be a type, "Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to | | | | his people. In the book of Nehemiah, everything except |
| Moses, even over those who had not sinned | | | | the king is restored: the temple, Jerusalem, the |
| according to the likeness of the transgression of | | | | covenant, and the faithfulness of the people. |
| Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come." | | | | ESTHER: Esther pictures Christ in that she puts herself |
| (Romans 5:14) How is Adam a type of Christ? Both | | | | in place of death for her people and is a picture of |
| entered the world through a special act of God as | | | | Christ in His being an advocate for us. Also in this book |
| sinless men. We think of Adam as being the head of | | | | we see another attempt by Satan to destroy the |
| the first creation, the physical creation of man. Jesus is | | | | linage of David, but God preserves His people and the |
| the head of the new creation. Through Adam, sin was | | | | messianic line. |
| introduced to the world, through Jesus sin is made null | | | | JOB: Job says, "For I know that my Redeemer lives, |
| and void. | | | | and He shall stand at last on the earth;" (Job 19:25) He |
| There are also what I like to call "pictures of Christ" in | | | | also cries out for a mediator (see 9:33, 25:4, 33:23). |
| the Old Testament. An example of this is Abel's | | | | The problems raised in the book of Job are answered |
| acceptable offering of a blood sacrifice which points to | | | | in Christ who knows of our suffering, "For we do not |
| or "pictures" Christ as being the acceptable blood | | | | have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our |
| sacrifice for all mankind's sin. In like manner, Cain's | | | | weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, |
| murder of Able pictures the death of Christ; both were | | | | yet without sin." (Hebrews 4:15) |
| a result of jealousy. | | | | PSALMS: In the book of psalms we see that the life |
| Joseph is also a type of Christ. Both Joseph and Christ | | | | and ministry of Jesus Christ is specifically anticipated. |
| were objects of special love by their fathers, both | | | | There are five different kinds of messianic psalms. In |
| were hated by their brothers, both were rejected as | | | | some, the subject of the psalm is a type of Christ. In |
| rulers over their brothers, both were sold for silver, | | | | others, the psalmist uses language to describe his |
| both were condemned though innocent, and both were | | | | present experience which points beyond his own life to |
| raised out of their humiliation to positions of glory by | | | | become historically true only in Christ. We also see in |
| the power of God. | | | | some psalms that it refers to a king or the house of |
| Not all Old Testament books contain direct messianic | | | | David but final fulfillment is not come until Christ. Some |
| prophecies. Some books which may not have direct | | | | are purely prophetic in that they refer only to Christ. |
| prophecies will be full of types and/or pictures of | | | | And in still others we see that the psalmist anticipates |
| Christ. Let's take a look at each Old Testament book | | | | the coming of Yahweh and His kingdom, which is |
| following Genesis to see what of Christ we can see in | | | | fulfilled in Christ. |
| each of them. | | | | PROVERBS: In the book of Proverbs we see the |
| EXODUS: Exodus has no direct prophecies but is full | | | | fabulous wisdom of Solomon, who it is said was the |
| of types. Some of these types are: Moses, the | | | | wisest man on earth. However, this wisdom is a |
| Passover, the seven feasts, the exodus, the manna | | | | picture of Christ who has the ultimate wisdom, the |
| and water, the tabernacle, and the high priest. | | | | wisdom of God; "But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, |
| LEVITICUS: Leviticus is also brimming with types and | | | | who became for us wisdom from God - and |
| allusions of the person and work of Jesus. Some of | | | | righteousness and sanctification and redemption..." (1 |
| the more important are: the five offerings, the high | | | | Corinthians 1:30) |
| priest, and seven feasts. | | | | ECCLESIASTES: This book shows us how empty our |
| NUMBERS: In Numbers there are several pictures of | | | | life can be without a relationship with God. Only Christ |
| Christ. Some of these include: a bronze serpent on a | | | | can provide those things which make life meaningful. |
| stake (a picture of the Crucifixion), the rock that | | | | SONG OF SOLOMON: In the Old Testament, Israel is |
| quenches the thirst of the multitude, the daily manna, | | | | considered to be the bride of Yahweh and in the New |
| the pillar of cloud and fire, and the six cities of refuge. | | | | Testament the church is the bride of Christ. This book |
| DEUTERONOMY: The most obvious picture of Christ | | | | illustrate the first and pictures the second. |
| is found in 18:15, "The Lord your God will raise up for | | | | ISAIAH: The prophecies in this book are clearer and |
| you a Prophet like me from your midst, from your | | | | more explicit than any other Old Testament book. |
| brethren. Him you shall hear." Also we see Moses as a | | | | Isaiah is brimming with prophecies of Christ. |
| type of Christ as described above. Also note that | | | | JEREMIAH: The book of Jeremiah points directly to |
| Moses and Christ were the only ones to fill the three | | | | Christ: "Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, |
| offices of prophet, priest and king (remember that | | | | That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; A |
| Moses was never named a king, but fulfilled the duties | | | | King shall reign and prosper, and execute judgement |
| of a king as ruler of Israel). | | | | and righteousness in the earth. In His days Judah will be |
| JOSHUA: Joshua himself is a type of Christ. Joshua | | | | saved, and Israel will dwell safely; now this is His name |
| led Israel into their promised land, and as such he | | | | by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR |
| pictures Christ as the One who will bring "many sons | | | | RIGHTEOUSNESS." (Jeremiah 23:5,6) |
| to glory" (see Heb. 2:10). Joshua succeeded Moses | | | | LAMENTATIONS: Jeremiah, the author, is a type of |
| and realized the victory which was unattainable by | | | | Christ in that both wept over Jerusalem. |
| Moses, and in like manner Christ realized the victory | | | | EZEKIEL: This book pictures the Messiah as a tender |
| which was unattainable by the law. The "Commander | | | | twig that becomes a stately cedar. |
| of the army of the Lord" which we see in 5:13-15 is | | | | DANIEL: In the visions of Daniel we see prophecies of |
| evidently a preincarnate appearance of Christ. | | | | Christ. Also his vision of the 69 weeks pinpoints the |
| JUDGES: The judges fulfilled two roles, that of spiritual | | | | coming of the Messiah. |
| savior and political ruler. These two roles picture the | | | | THE MINOR PROPHETS - HOSEA, JOEL, AMOS, |
| role of Christ as our Savior and King. The seven | | | | OBADIAH, JONAH, MICAH, NAHUM, HABAKKUK, |
| judges also functioned individually somewhat differently. | | | | ZEPHANIAH, HAGGAI, ZECHARIAH, & |
| Some are warrior-rulers, some priests, and one | | | | MALACHI: In these books we see several prophecies |
| (Samuel) was a prophet. These different functions all | | | | of Christ as well as types and pictures of Christ. |
| picture the three offices of Christ as our Prophet, | | | | Space does not permit us to give as much detail on |
| Priest and King. | | | | these, the minor prophets. |
| RUTH: The book of Ruth shows the redemption of | | | | I hope that through this discussion of the Scarlet Cord |
| Ruth by her kinsmen. This kinsmen-redeemer | | | | which runs through the Old Testament in the |
| relationship is a picture of the relationship which Christ | | | | prophecies, types and pictures of Christ you can see |
| has with us. Also, Ruth was the Great-Grandmother of | | | | that He is the very center, the cornerstone if you will, |
| David and therefore a blood relative of Christ. | | | | of God's plan of salvation for man. We should not think |
| I & II SAMUEL: Samuel is a type of Christ as he | | | | of the Old Testament and New Testament as two |
| holds the offices of prophet, priest and judge. | | | | distinct and separate parts, but as one whole plan by |
| However we see more of Christ in the life and person | | | | which God will redeem those who want to be His |
| of David in these two books. David is born in | | | | people. There is much which could be said about the |
| Bethlehem, serves as a shepherd, and rules as king of | | | | differences in the Old and New Testaments, but we |
| Israel. David is the forerunner of the messianic King, | | | | will save that for a future article. The thing for us to |
| and the New Testament calls Christ the "seed of | | | | remember is that though there are many significant |
| David according to the flesh" (Romans 1:3) and "the | | | | differences in the two testaments as to their purpose |
| Root and the Offspring of David." (Revelation 22:16) | | | | and so forth, together they form one beautiful and |
| I & II KINGS: Solomon is a type of Christ in a | | | | magnificent account of God's love, devotion, and |
| number of ways. His wisdom points to Christ; his fame, | | | | longing to save His creation - man. |
| glory, wealth, and honor also point to Christ. Solomon | | | | All scriptures quoted are from the New King James |
| was indeed considered great, however Christ said of | | | | Version unless otherwise noted. |
| Himself, "indeed a greater than Solomon is here." | | | | |