Week 10 Final Paper
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Grand Canyon University *
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OT7150
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Religion
Date
Dec 6, 2023
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docx
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10
Uploaded by HighnessRiverHare17
Antonio P. Marino
OT7150: Exegesis and Exposition of the Old Testament Narrative
Christ Foreshadowed in the Pentateuch
Instructor: Dennis Jowers
Over the past ten weeks of this course, we recall the countless hours pouring over a plethora of literature. These hours were spent seeking information that would aid us in our educational journey. As we think about the significance literature has, it is
therefore important to understand exactly what it is. Literature should be understood as written works, books, and writings that discuss a particular subject or issue.
The word or term literature most commonly relates to the works of
creative imagination. These creative pieces encompass poetry, drama, fiction, nonfiction as well as journalism. By the use of these forms of literature, we are provided with a form of entertainment that allows our imagination to run free. While these are important forms of literature, it is very important to acknowledge the various forms of literature that have gifted us with information necessary for the expansion of our intelligence.
Oftentimes in our reading pursuits, it requires us to pay extreme
attention to detail. This attention to detail helps aid in our understanding of what's happening as well as what may happen in the future. At some point, we have all read some material whose plot connects to something else.
If you find yourself struggling to determine what book that could
be…how about the Bible?
The Bible is a historical piece of literature that contains a collection of sixty-six sub-books. We also know that the Bible has also been written by at least forty different individuals. Looking at the Bible we find that it is split into two major sections. These sections are the Old and New Testaments.
Common knowledge reminds us that the Old Testament was the
written recording of creation as well as the documentation of early human history and the chosen nation of Israel. The New Testament, on the other hand, deals with the birth of Jesus, a recording of His earthly ministry, His death and resurrection as well as the establishment of the church.
While the Bible's two sections may seem to focus on very distinct
topics, our attention to detail will allow us to point out the various ways these sections complement one another. Seeing how the Old and New Testaments complement one another provides us with an opportunity to see how there is truly one collective story being told. It is through this collective story that we realize it has everything to do with Jesus Christ.
Through this paper, we will attempt to identify some of the various ways Jesus Christ is identified within the Old Testament.
Your mind may be racing with the notion, “Jesus in the Old Testament?” This is a great question to ask. Especially when we stop to consider the four hundred years that separate the Old and
New Testaments. Not to mention how could the writers of the Old Testament know about Him hundreds (maybe thousands) of years before His birth?
It is important to understand that God’s revelation within the Old Testament foreshadows the redemption that would be accomplished by His Son, Jesus Christ. This revelation is supported by the foundational theological belief that God is the
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supreme ruler over history. We must also remember that He is the author of scripture.
Christian churches have placed a high level of belief in the fact
that Jesus Christ is the center of scripture. Because of this realization, believers have ultimately discovered the key to the proper interpretation of scripture. It is due to the realization that Christ is the center of scripture that we must determine how
the Bible’s collection of books, covering various genres of literature, centers on one particular individual. Studying the Old Testament shows us that it brings visibility to the anticipation of Christ’s work. This visibility is made possible in several ways.
The most prominent way for us to get a glimpse of Christ is through the many Old Testament promises and prophecies regarding Him. God speaks to us in the Old Testament by assuring humanity that someone will be coming to rescue them. This promise pointed to a savior who could reverse the curse placed on us as a result of sin.
Arthur, Paul Humber, provides us information in an article titled, 400 Prophecies of Christ in the Old Testament, a breakdown of prophecies. According to this breakdown, Paul indicates the following:
●
117 prophecies, appearances, or foreshadowing with the Law (Genesis thru Deuteronomy)
●
144 prophecies, appearances, or foreshadowing within the Wrings
●
153 prophecies, appearances, or foreshadowing with the Prophets (Isaiah thru Malachi)
This is incredible to see in writing. Though we are aware of the countless prophecies contained in the Bible, being provided with a breakdown such as this gives needed clarity regarding their focus and purposes.
“The Lord Himself will give you a sign. Behold the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” - Isaiah 7:14
This scripture reference from the book of Isaiah provides us with
one of the most direct indications of Jesus Christ. Through our own individual or group study time, we come to discover the name,
Immanuel, used in these verses means “God with us.” With an understanding of this name's meaning, this prophecy gives readers
and believers a foreshadowing of His physical presence among His people.
“I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head and you shall bruise his heel.” - Genesis 3:15
While Isaiah’s prophecy comes later in the Old Testament, one can’t overlook the promise God made during the fall of man. This scripture found in Genesis shows us God Himself, providing a
prophetic promise regarding the defeat of Satan. This defeat will
come at the hands of the woman's offspring. This foreshadowed defeat is that of Jesus’ death upon the cross and ultimate payment for sin.
Old Testament promises and prophecies are extremely important references to Jesus. However, it can be argued that these don’t prove that Jesus was present during Old Testament times. This particular stance can be considered correct given the idea that the promises and prophecies mentioned are simply providing us with a foreshadowing of what's to come.
Because the use of promises and prophecies can be refuted as showing Christ is the Old Testament, we have to find another way to defend our position. To counter this argument, we can give evidence of His existence through examples of Theophany and Christophany.
A theophany is expressed as a manifestation of God that is tangible to the human senses. Reverend Kyle Norman explains in his article, What Is A Theophany in the Bible?, as any visible manifestation of God's presence in the world. In his article, we are also implored not to confuse a theophany with visions or dreams. If this is the case, we must and should realize that theophanies are prominent throughout the Old Testament. As we read scripture, we find many scriptures that indicate or describe, “the angel of the Lord.” It is these descriptions that
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provide us with multiple examples of God’s manifestations. Similarly, Christophanies are defined in most cases as a non-
physical manifestation of Jesus. As we deal with Christophanies, we have to be extremely mindful that they are distinct from Christ’s life as a human.
Many theologians and scholars have considered what is a Christophany. One of the most referenced Christophanies is found in the book of Daniel.
“Then King Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in alarm. He said to his advisers, Didn’t we throw three men, bound, into the fire? Yes, of course, your Majesty, they replied to the king. He exclaimed,
Look! I see four men, not tied, walking around in the fire unharmed; and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.” - Daniel
3:24-25
This selection of scripture comes from the story surrounding Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Recalling the story regarding these three individuals, who were committed to pleasing God, reminds us that they protested bowing down to the Babylonian king
Nebuchadnezzar. As a result of their disobedience, the king had them thrown into a fiery furnace.
These verses show us that even though they were in the midst of extreme scorching heat, nothing was harming them. At this moment those watching from outside the furnace were able to see a fourth
person in the fire, even though only three people were thrown in.
Clerance Haynes states, in his article, 3 Appearances of Christ in the Old Testament, many of us view this extra person as an early appearance of Christ.
This story of the mysterious person standing within the fire is so captivating. Upon witnessing the event take place firsthand, King Nebuchadnezzar had to recognize that the extra person within
the furnace resembled “the son of the gods.” It is late expressed
by King Nebuchadnezzar that no other god is capable of saving in this manner.
Analyzing this story allows us to have hope. This hope stirs up greatly in our hearts. It is a story that shows us even within our toughest moments, we are never alone. Jesus is always there during these moments walking by our side.
Proper observation of Old Testament Christophines is a great way for many of us to truly witness God working within our lives. we always hear that he is I'm the present, meaning present everywhere at the same time, however, when we dedicate time to reading and studying the Bible it comes to light.
Jesus also gives us an indication of himself in the Old Testament by way of types or typologies.
when we speak of typology, we are referring to people, objects, or events which foreshadow Christ. this includes many Old Testament laws, festivals, and stories. like an actual Shadow these forms of type typology on reflex something real.
One such typology is Noah's Ark. This may seem impossible but the
reality is that the art is a type of Christ. we are given this View because the same way God protected Noah and his family reflects the same actions of Christ. The Ark provided a shield from the impact of the flood. likewise, those who seek if I'm refuge in Christ are saved from the judgment and consequences of sin.
Careful examination of scripture can point us to various forms of
typology. Like Noah's Ark, the king of Salem, Melchizedek has also been considered a form of Christ. Different from other kings
mentioned in scripture, Melchizedek was also a priest. This was unique as both positions were distinct from one another. Due to the absence of information surrounding Melchizedek's death and genealogy, we can assume he was an eternal priest.
“Without father, without mother, without genealogy, he has neither beginning of days nor end of life but is like the son of god, and he remains a priest for all time.” - Hebrews 7:3
Typically a priest will hold that position until death. Without his record of death, it stands to reason that he has remained a priest. This is what leads us to refer to Melchizedek as a typology. Christ, in comparison to Melchizedek, is our Eternal King and high priest. The information captured within this paper is just a snippet of the many examples which point us to Jesus' existence within the
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Old Testament. For us to locate all of the moments Jesus may have
shown himself to us before his birth, we must continuously read God's word. When we combine dedicated scripture study with open communication with the Father, He will lead and guide us to the answers we are seeking.