shadow to reality 1

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FROM

SHADOW TO

REALITY


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FROM SHADOWTO REALITY

A STUDY IN THERELATIONSHIP BETWEENTHE OLD AND THE NEW

TESTAMENT


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FROM SHADOW TO REALITY

A STUDY IN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THEOLD AND THE NEW TESTAMENT

John M. Oakes, Ph.D.

Unless otherwise indicted! ll Scri"t#rere$erences re $ro% the Hol& Bi'le! New Interntionl(ersion! co"&ri)ht *+,-! *+,.! *+./ '& theInterntionl Bi'le Societ&0 Used '& "er%ission o$1onder2n Bi'le P#'lishers0 Scri"t#re re$erences%r3ed NAS re $ro% the New A%ericn StndrdBi'le! co"&ri)ht The Loc3%n Fo#ndtion *+,,0 Used'& "er%ission0


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Dediction

To4nBen5%inEli6'eth nd

7thr&n


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Introd#ction 8

Ac3nowled)%ents

It is useless to attempt toreason a man out of what

he was never reasonedinto.

Jonathan Swift

I wo#ld li3e to thn3 n#%'er o$ $riends 0 Blh!'lh! 'lh0


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9ontents

Ac3nowled)%ents000000000000000000000000000000000000008

Introd#ction000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000.

*0 Historicl Foreshdows0000000000000000*8:0 Pre;)#res o$ the Messih


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Introd#ction ,

+0 Pro"hecies o$ the 7in)do% o$ ?od:,8

*=0 Fi)#res in the Old Test%ent re #sed '&?od s %odels o$ New Test%ent techin)s0

**0 N#%'ers in the Old Test%ent nd in theNew Test%ent0

*:0 Old Test%ent E2ents re Pr'les o$ New

Test%ent Techin)s0


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The law is only a shadowof the good things that are

comingnot the realitiesthemselves.(change this

one)

Hebrews !"

Introd#ction

H2e &o# e2er hd so%eone tell &o# tht it isdi@c#lt to co%e to dee" #nderstndin) o$ the New

Test%ent techin)s witho#t )ood #nderstndin) o$the Old Test%ent Perh"s &o# h2e noticed this&o#rsel$0 The %ore one reds the Bi'le! the %ore thisconce"t rin)s tr#e0 On the other hnd! h2e &o# e2ernoticed tht the o2erll %ess)e o$ the Old Test%entonl& %3es sense in the li)ht o$ the New Test%entSo%eti%es! s "erson #ite $%ilir with the New

Test%ent! I ;nd %&sel$ wonderin) wht the 4ewstho#)ht 'o#t so%e o$ the thin)s the& $o#nd written inthe Old Test%ent0 When D2id cried o#t CThe& h2e"ierced %& hnds nd %& $eet! Psl%s ::*>G wht%#st the reder o$ the Old Test%ent! or $or tht%tter wht %#st D2id hi%sel$ h2e tho#)ht tht the"ierced hnds nd $eet were 'o#t The reder o$ theNew Test%ent 3nows instntneo#sl& tht D2id is

tl3in) 'o#t the s"eci;cs o$ the cr#ci;ion o$ 4es#s9hrist0

So %n& o$ the techin)s nd e2en the e2entsone ;nds in the Old Test%ent onl& %3e sense whenthe& ;nd the%sel2es wor3ed o#t in the ")es o$ theNew Test%ent0 It is l%ost s i$ the chrcters in the


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Introd#ction +

Old Test%ent re ctin) o#t "l&! the %enin) o$which the& re co%"letel& #nwre0 It is onl& the#dience o$ the "l&! those who wtch in li)ht o$ solid

3nowled)e o$ the New Test%ent! who #nderstnd the%enin) o$ the words nd e2ents in this "l&0There is "rdo here0 One cn onl& rell&

#nderstnd the Old Test%ent in li)ht o$ the New0 Atthe s%e ti%e! the e2ents nd techin)s o$ the New

Test%ent re onl& )i2en $#ll %enin) to one well2ersed in the Old Test%ent e2ents! techin)s nd"ro"hecies which $oreshdow the New0 I$ I need the

Old Test%ent to #nderstnd the New nd I need theNew Test%ent to #nderstnd the Old! where % I to'e)in Perh"s this 'oo3 cn in so%e %es#re hel"sol2e the dile%%0

I$ the Old Test%ent is "l&! in which the ctorsdo not rell& #nderstnd the %enin) o$ the ction ndwords! then wht does tht i%"l& 'o#t the writersG o$the "l& E2en the writers o$ the Old Test%ent "l&were not $#ll& wre o$ wht the "l& ws 'o#t0 WhenMoses led Isrel thro#)h the Red Se! he hd no idetht he ws ctin) o#t 2isi'le s&%'ol o$ sl2tion$ro% sin thro#)h wter '"tis%0 Those who s"ltteredthe 'lood o$ l%' o2er their lintels on tht $tl ni)htin E)&"t hd no ide tht the& were "er$or%in) "h&sicl s&%'ol o$ the redee%in) scri;ce o$ 4es#s! the

l%' o$ ?od! on the cross0 Onl& the #lti%te #thor!?od hi%sel$! ws co%"letel& wre o$ the "lot! $ro%'e)innin) to end0 In this 'oo3 &o# will 'e "ro2idedwith h#ndreds o$ e2ents! "eo"le! nd "ro"hecies $ro%the Old Test%ent which clerl& $oreshdow New

Test%ent e2ents nd techin)s0 An o'2io#s #estionis how did the writers o$ the Old Test%ent 3now to "#tll these $oreshdows o$ e2ents into their writin)s when

the e2ents the& ntici"ted were not to occ#r $orh#ndreds o$ &ers Tht is )ood #estion0 Petersee%s to h2e this #estion in %ind in : Peter **+:*J

And we h2e the word o$ the "ro"hets%de %ore certin! nd &o# will do well to "&


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*= FROM SHADOW TO REALITY

ttention to it! s to li)ht shinin) in dr3"lce!

#ntil the d& dwns nd the %ornin) str rises in

&o#r herts0 A'o2e ll! &o# %#st #nderstndtht no "ro"hec& o$ Scri"t#re c%e 'o#t '& the"ro"hetKs own inter"rettion0 For "ro"hec&

ne2erhd its ori)in in the will o$ %n! '#t %en s"o3e$ro% ?od s the& were crried lon) '& the Hol&S"irit0

Peter is tellin) his reders tht we! i0e0 those o$#s who li2e in the New Test%ent )e! h2e the wordso$ the Old Test%ent %de e2en %ore s#re '& h2in)seen their techin)s nd "ro"hecies $#l;lled thro#)hthe e2ents in the li$e o$ 4es#s 9hrist0 How else is one toe"lin the Old Test%ent witho#t cce"tin) tht it ws?od who c#sed the words to 'e written Accordin) toPeter! h2in) seen the "ro"hecies nd techin)s o$ theScri"t#re wor3ed o#t 'e$ore the 2er& e&es o$ the"ostles nd other e&ewitnesses o$ the e2ents! it hs'eco%e e2en %ore o'2io#s tht the Old Test%entscri"t#re re $ro% ?od! not %en0

The "#r"ose o$ this 'oo3! then! is to show thehistoricl! doctrinl nd "ro"hetic reltionshi" 'etweenthe Old nd the New Test%ent0 The the%e is tht in

its essence! $ro% ?enesis to Mlchi! the Old Test%entis $oreshdowin) o$ the New Test%ent0 Let #s "#tthis in si%"le ter%s0 The the%e o$ the entire Bi'le is?odKs desire nd "ln $or h2in) reltionshi" with #s0In the Old Test%ent ?od "re"res "eo"le thro#)hwho% to send the Messih0 In the New Test%ent! thtdesire nd "ln re $#l;lled in the 'irth! li$e! deth ndres#rrection o$ 4es#s 9hrist0 To "#t it e2en %ore si%"l&!

the the%e o$ the Old Test%ent is THE MESSIAH IS9OMIN?! BRIN?IN? SAL(ATION0 The the%e o$ the New

Test%ent is THE MESSIAH IS HERE! BRIN?IN?SAL(ATION0

IsnKt this wht 4es#s so 'oldl& declred to thereli)io#s leders nd techers o$ his d& in 4ohn


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Introd#ction **

8-+!/>

Yo# dili)entl& st#d& the Scri"t#res 'ec#se

&o# thin3 tht '& the% &o# "ossess eternl li$e0These re the Scri"t#res tht testi$& 'o#t %e!&et

&o# re$#se to co%e to %e to h2e li$e


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*: FROM SHADOW TO REALITY

Be$ore l#nchin) into descri'in) so%e o$ the%&rid o$ w&s tht the Old Test%ent ntici"tes the

New Test%ent! it will 'e hel"$#l to de;ne $ewtechnicl ter%s which will 'e #sed thro#)ho#t the'oo30 One o$ the ter%s to descri'e how the Old

Test%ent leds ineor'l& to the New is foreshadow0Foreshdow cn 'e #sed s no#n or s 2er'0We'sterKs dictionr& de;nes the 2er' $oreshdow sCto t&"i$& 'e$orehndJ $oretellJ "re;)#re0 The no#n!ccordin) to We'ster or t lest ccordin) to his

s#ccessorsG is Cn indiction o$ wht is to co%e0 A$oreshdow! then! is n o'5ect! n e2ent! "erson or sit#tion which stnds $or nd re"resents so%ethin) o$)reter si)ni;cnce which is to co%e in the $#t#re0 Wewill see )ret n#%'er o$ o'5ects! e2ents nd "eo"lein the Old Test%ent which ?od #sed to $oreshdowsi)ni;cnt techin)s nd e2ents in the New0 Mn&ti%es "h&sicl o'5ect or sit#tion is #sed '& ?od to"re;)#re s"irit#l tr#th0 I$ one cn de%onstrte thtthese $oreshdows in the Old Test%ent re le)iti%tee%"les! not 5#st coincidence! nd i$ one cn ss#%etht those who cted o#t or wrote down these e2entshd no ide wht the& were $oreshdowin)! then one isle$t with cler indiction tht the Old Test%entscri"t#res re ins"ired '& ?od0 This is ectl& wht

Peter cli%ed0As 2er'! the words $oreshdow nd "re;)#re

cn 'e #sed l%ost interchn)e'l&0 To pregure%ens to re"resent s&%'olicll& n o'5ect! conce"t oride in the $#t#re0 The distinction 'etween $oreshdow nd "re;)#re is tht! in )enerl! in "re;)#re! the thin) ntici"ted '& the "re;)#re hs nl%ost ect corres"ondence! wheres $oreshdow

re"resents conce"t lr)er or 'roder thn theori)inl0 For e%"le! we will see tht Moses is "re;)#re o$ the li$e o$ 4es#s 9hrist! while the %nn inthe wilderness is $oreshdow o$ 4es#sK %inistr&0

Also si%ilr to the conce"t o$ $oreshdow is the"ir o$ ter%s type and antitype0 A t&"e! ccordin) to


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Introd#ction *-

We'ster! is CA "erson or thin) re)rded s the s&%'olo$ so%eone or so%ethin) tht is &et to ""er0We'ster de;nes ntit&"e s CTht which corres"onds to

or is $oreshdowed in the t&"e0 Interestin)l&! thes"eci;c e%"le We'ster #ses $or t&"e nd ntit&"eis 4er#sle% is the t&"e o$ he2en0 We will see %n&"irs o$ t&"e nd ntit&"e in the Old Test%ent nd theNew Test%ent0

Another ter% which is relted to $oreshdow issymbol0 The word s&%'ol hs 'roder %enin) thn$oreshdow0 One o$ We'sterKs de;nitions $or the word

s&%'ol is Cn e%'le% or si)n re"resentin) so%ethin)else0 A s&%'ol! then! li3e t&"e or $oreshdow!stnds $or so%ethin) else! #s#ll& lr)er thn itsel$0

The 'sic dierence 'etween s&%'ol nd $oreshdow is tht s&%'ol re"resents so%ethin)which is "resentl& rel! while $oreshdow re"resentsso%ethin) which lies in the $#t#re0 A s&%'ol is re"resenttion while $oreshdow is n ntici"tion0We will see %n& Old Test%ent "ersons nd o'5ectswhich ?od #ses s s&%'ols o$ thin)s tht were lred&rel t the ti%e! '#t whose $#ll %enin) re onl& %de$#ll& 3nown in the New0 As n e%"le o$ thisdistinction! one co#ld %ention the stor& o$ Moses"#ttin) the 'ron6e sn3e #" on "ole N#%'ers :*/+G! llowin) ?odKs "eo"le to 'e s2ed $ro% deth e2en

i$ 'itten '& "oisono#s sn3es0 Technicll&! in this cse!Moses ws holdin) #" s&%'ol! not $oreshdow o$

4es#s 9hrist0 The 'ron6e sn3e ws #sed '& ?od s s&%'ol o$ 4es#s 9hrist 4ohn -*/G! who ws "resentrelit& e2en in the ti%e o$ Moses0

Another ter% which is relted to s&%'ol nd$oreshdow is prophecy0 We will loo3 t wholern)e o$ Old Test%ent "ro"hecies which ntici"ted

'oth )enerl nd 2er& s"eci;c e2ents which rerecorded in the New Test%ent0 It 'ers notin) thtthe %odern! Western #s)e o$ the word "ro"hec& is2er& dierent $ro% the nor%l sense it is )i2en in theBi'le0 To the 4ews! "ro"het ws not so %#ch one who"redicted the $#t#re $oretellerG s he or she ws n


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*/ FROM SHADOW TO REALITY

instr#%ent to re2el ?odKs will $or his "eo"le $orthtellerG0 The "ro"hets o$ Isrel were the ones who s"o3e$or ?od0 The& were ?odKs %essen)ers0 In )enerl

their %ission ws two$old to )i2e wrnin)s o$5#d)%ent on Isrel nd her ene%ies nd to enco#r)e?odKs "eo"le to re"ent o$ their hrdhertedness ndsin0 In the Old Test%ent! then! "ro"hec& in its %ost)enerl sense ws stte%ent o$ CTh#s s&s the Lord0

H2in) sid this! howe2er! it is cler tht one o$the thin)s the "ro"hets did ws to %3e s"eci;c"redictions o$ $#t#re e2ents which wo#ld ect ?odKs

"eo"le0 The& "redicted s"eci;c h""enin)s 'oth in the$or the%G ner $#t#re nd in the distnt $#t#re0 Their"redictions $or the ner $#t#re were "ro2ided '& ?od s test o$ the 2lidit& o$ their cli% to the o@ce o$"ro"het! so the 4ews co#ld decide $or the%sel2eswhether their %ess)e ws $ro% ?od0*

Yo# %& s& to &o#rsel2es! CHow cn we3now when %ess)e hs not 'een s"o3en '&

theLORD I$ wht "ro"het "rocli%s in the n%e

o$the LORD does not t3e "lce or co%e tr#e! tht

is %ess)e the LORDhs not s"o3en0 Tht "ro"het

hss"o3en "res#%"t#o#sl&0 Do not 'e $rid o$ hi%0De#terono%& *.:*!::G

The %ess)e o$ the "ro"hets to Isrel ws o$)ret i%"ortnce to the 4ews0 Howe2er! o#r concern iswith the Old Test%ent "ro"hetsK %6in)l& s"eci;c"ro"hecies o$ e2ents which re recorded in the New

* One cn ss#%e tht %n& or %ost o$ the shorterter%"redictions which the "ro"hets %de s "roo$ o$ their o@ce re not$o#nd in the Old Test%ent scri"t#re0 A $ew e%"les o$ thosewhich did ;nd their w& into the Old Test%ent re $o#nd in %&'oo3 on "olo)eticsJ 4ohn O3es! #easons for $elief" % Handboo& of'hristian vidence?9I Boo3s! Hi)hlnds Rnch! 9olordo! :==*G""0 *:,*-.0


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Introd#ction *8

Test%ent0 In the contet o$ this 'oo3! then! the word"ro"hec& will 'e #sed in its %ore nrrow sense0 A"ro"hec& will 'e s"eci;c written or s"o3en "rediction

o$ e2ents which clerl& lie in the $#t#re $or the "erson%3in) the "rediction0The the%e o$ this 'oo3 is tht the Old

Test%ent! its techin)s! e2ents! "eo"le! stte%ents!cere%onies nd cele'rtions! $ro% the %ost %in#tedetil to the 'rodest the%es! re $oreshdow! s&%'ol! "ro"hec& o$ the )reter relit& which isre2eled in the New Test%ent nd in its chie$

chrcter! 4es#s 9hrist0 Is this ll coincidence nd l#c3Or is it ?odKs w& o$ de%onstrtin) tht the entireBi'le is his re2eled will $or o#r li2es As one loo3s tthe "ro"hetic reltionshi" 'etween the Old nd theNew Test%ents! s it shows so dr%ticll& tht thethe e2ents o$ 4es#sK li$e were "rt o$ ?odKs eternl"ln! one cn see tht he tr#l& is Cthe L%' tht wsslin $ro% the cretion o$ the world0 Re2eltion *-.G


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or everything which waswritten in the past was

written to teach us* so that

through endurance andthe encouragement of theScriptures we might have

hope.

#omans +",

*

Historicl Pre;)#res


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The Isrelites hd 'een )r#%'lin) )in0 CWh&do we $ollow this $ellow Moses CWho does he thin3he is CWh& h2e &o# 'ro#)ht #s #" o#t o$ E)&"t to

die here in the desert There is no 'red There is nowter And we detest this %iser'le $ood N#%'ers:*8G0 S#ddenl&! )ret n#%'er o$ 2eno%o#s sn3es""ered %on) the "eo"le who were doin) theco%"linin)0 Not s#r"risin)l&! the "eo"le nowre)retted their lc3 o$ $ith nd decided thtre"entnce ws the "th to $ollow! '#t wht ws to 'edone 'o#t the sn3es U"on ?odKs instr#ction! Moses

%de re"lic o$ sn3e nd held it #" on "ole0E2er&one who ws 'itten '& the sn3e nd loo3ed tothe sn3e held #" on the "ole ws %irc#lo#sl&heled0

This is )ret stor& in nd o$ itsel$0 There ws%#ch $or the 4ews to lern $ro% the sit#tion0 Mn&lessons cn 'e )lened $ro% it 'o#t h#%n "rocli2it&towrd re'ellion nd o#r %6in) tendenc& to $or)etthe )ret )i$ts o$ ?od0 One cn lso see here dr%tic lesson 'o#t ?odKs willin)ness to $or)i2ethose who t#rn to hi% $or hel"0

Tht is well nd )ood! '#t in the New Test%ent!wht h""ened in the desert ro#nd */-= B9E'eco%es n historicl "re;)#re o$ the s2in) "ower o$

4es#s 9hrist0 As 4es#s hi%sel$ sid! C4#st s Moses

li$ted #" the sn3e in the desert! so the Son o$ Mn%#st 'e li$ted #"! tht e2er&one who 'elie2es in hi%%& h2e eternl li$e0 4ohn -*/G0 When ?od s3edhi% to %3e stt#e o$ sn3e nd hold it #" 'e$orethe "eo"le! Moses %#st h2e 'een te%"ted to#estion ?od0 CYo# sid idoltr& is wron)0 Yo# told %eto destro& the )olden cl$0 How cn &o# s3 %e to%3e n i%)e o$ sn3e $or the "eo"le to loo3 t it

WonKt the& 'e te%"ted to %3e this n idolWhen Moses held #" the sn3e! he 3new tht he

ws o'e&in) the co%%nd o$ ?od so tht his "eo"le%i)ht 'e s2ed0 Wht he did not 3now ws tht Hews ctin) o#t "h&sicl s&%'ol o$ the Messihhi%sel$0 The sn3e in this stor& is clerl& s&%'olic o$


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*. FROM SHADOW TO REALITY

sin0 When "eo"le re 'itten '& the 2eno%o#s sn3e3nown s sin! it is lw&s $tl0 CFor the w)es o$ sin isdeth! '#t the )i$t o$ ?od is eternl li$e in 9hrist 4es#s

o#r Lord0 Ro%ns >:-G0 CThere is no dierence! $orll h2e sinned nd $ll short o$ the )lor& o$ ?od! ndre 5#sti;ed $reel& '& his )rce thro#)h the rede%"tiontht c%e '& 9hrist 4es#s0 Ro%ns -:-!:/G0

I$ one contin#es to red in Ro%ns -! onedisco2ers tht the onl& ntidote $or the 2eno% o$ sin isto loo3 #"on the Messih! 4es#s 9hrist0 He is the onewho ws held #" on tht "ole in the wilderness0 In this

one ct o$ Moses in the wilderness we h2e 'oth s&%'ol o$ 9hrist nd $oreshdow o$ his s2in) )rce0

B#t wh&! one %i)ht s3! ws sn3e held #"How cn sn3e! s&%'ol o$ sin! stnd $or 4es#s9hrist! the son o$ ?od C?od %de hi% who hd nosin to 'e sin $or #s! so tht in hi% we %i)ht 'eco%ethe ri)hteo#sness o$ ?od0 : 9orinthins 8:*G0 4es#s'ec%e sin $or #s0 He too3 on ll o#r sin! nd in sodoin)! 'ec%e o#r ri)hteo#sness0 He 'ec%e thenti2eno% $or the 2eno% o$ sin0 Wht 'e#ti$#l"ict#re o$ the )rce o$ ?od nd o$ the s2in) "ower o$the 'lood o$ 4es#s

B#t here is the "oint0 When 4es#s "ointed towht Moses hd done there in the desert o2er$o#rteen cent#ries 'e$ore his %inistr& on the erth! he

ws doin) %ore thn si%"l& s&in) tht the sn3eco#ld ser2e s s&%'ol o$ wht cn h""en when"eo"le loo3 t hi%0 Wht 4es#s ws tellin) #s is tht?od told Moses to hold #" the sn3e 'ec#se he$ore3new tht %n& cent#ries lter it wo#ld stnd $orthe s2in) "ower o$ 4es#s 9hrist0 It is not tht 4es#sws scnnin) histor& to ;nd interestin) e2ents whichco#ld ser2e s e%"les o$ his techin)s0 ?od c#sed

Moses to hold #" the sn3e! 3nowin) tht %ore thn %illenni#% lter! it wo#ld 'eco%e s&%'ol o$ thes2in) "ower o$ 4es#s 9hrist0 The "oint is tht ?odc#sed the e2ent to h""en on "#r"ose so tht it co#ldser2e #s who red the New Test%ent so tht we co#ldsee in it "ict#re o$ the Messih0 In his so2erei)n


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Pre;)#res o$ the Messih*+"ower! ?od entered h#%n histor& to "ro2ide s&%'olnd %ess)e to #s 'o#t his "ln to send Messih tos2e #s $ro% o#r sins0

Let %e )i2e n e%"le to show how #ni#end %6in) wht ?od did here tr#l& is0 It is co%%on h#%n "rctice to #se n historicl e2ent$ro% the "st s s&%'ol o$ )reter ide0 Fore%"le! A%ericns #se the heroic cts o$ theMin#te%en t Lein)ton nd 9oncord s s&%'ol o$herois% nd 'r2er& nd the A%ericn s"irit o$inde"endence $ro% t&rrn&0 The cts o$ these "triotsser2e s )ret s&%'ol o$ the A%ericn s"irit0 Let #schn)e this scenrio0 Let #s i%)ine so%eonewntin) to h2e rell& net s&%'ol o$ the A%ericnS"irit0 I%)ine this "erson s&in) to hi%sel$! CI 3nowwht I will do! I will )et in %& ti%e %chine! )o 'c3 tothe &er *,,/! tl3 to '#nch o$ those re'els nd hel"the% to $or% "ln so the& cn ser2e s s&%'ol o$

the ;)ht $or li'ert&


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:= FROM SHADOW TO REALITY

e2ents in the histor& o$ his "eo"le! Isrel0 We cn see?od c#sin) his "eo"le to ct o#t "l& which ser2ess s&%'ol to #s o$ his s2in) )rce in 4es#s 9hrist0

Second! it is cli%ed here tht not onl& did ?od c#sethe e2ents in #estion to h""en! he lso c#sed theses%e e2ents to 'e recorded in the Old Test%ent0 Inother words! the "re;)#res nd $oreshdows in Old

Test%ent histor& "ro2ide "roo$ "ositi2e tht the Bi'leis the ins"ired word o$ ?od0

To the s3e"tic nd I ho"e we re ll s3e"tics! tlest to so%e etentG the one e%"le #oted 'o2e

wo#ld not ser2e s s#@cient "roo$ o$ this cli%0 It isthe s#% o$ the e2idence which %3es the cse0 In thisch"ter we will loo3 t )ret n#%'er o$ e%"les o$how ?od hs entered histor& to crete s&%'ol! t&"eor $oreshdow which he wo#ld lter c#se to ser2e s lesson to #s Con who% the $#l;ll%ent o$ the )es hsco%e0 * 9orinthins *=**G0 The Old Test%ent itsel$nd the e2ents recorded in it ser2e s $oreshdow o$wht we h2e in 9hrist0

Be$ore t#rnin) to so%e o$ these e%"les! let #sconsider the Bi'le! nd es"ecill& the Old Test%ent shistor&0 A%on)st the worldKs reli)ions! 4#dis% nd9hristinit& re #ni#e in tht their techin)s ndtheolo)& re i%%ersed in histor&0 The Bi'le is recordo$ stor& stor& o$ ?od cretin) "eo"le to who%

nd thro#)h who% to send the Messih0 The stor&t3es "lce o2er tho#snds o$ &ers0 Witho#t the stor&o$ ?od wor3in) in histor&! the New Test%ent does not%3e sense0 I$ the histor& recorded in the Old

Test%ent is not tr#e! then the h#ndreds o$ ntit&"esin the New Test%ent lose %#ch or ll o$ their "ower totech0 None o$ the other world reli)ionsnotHind#is%! B#ddhis%! Isl%! 9on$#cinis%! or BKhi

*The e2idence $or the historicl reli'ilit& o$ the Bi'le is! in)enerl! o#tside the rn)e o$ this 'oo30 For %teril which delswith this #estion! see 4ohn O3es! #easons or $elief" % Handboo&of 'hristian vidences?9I Boo3s! www0)retco%%ission0co%!Hi)hlnds Rnch! 9olordo! :==*G ""0 *.+:-: nd Rndll Price!The Stones 'ry -ut Hr2est Ho#se P#'lishers! E#)ene! Ore)on!*++,G
http://www.greatcommission.com/http://www.greatcommission.com/


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Pre;)#res o$ the Messih:*;nd their techin)s wor3ed o#t in histor&0

Historins o$ten will scn ll o$ h#%n histor& to;nd e%"les o$ relted e2ents nd the%es which

see% to tell stor& 'o#t the h#%n condition0 Inorder to do so! the historin %#st ind#cti2el& disco2erso%e sort o$ "ttern o$ h#%n 'eh2ior in the"tchwor3 o$ recorded histor&0 The st#dent o$ theBi'le hs %#ch esier 5o'0 The Bi'le hs the%end series o$ closel& relted e2ents! not 'ec#se thehistorin is serchin) $or "ttern! '#t 'ec#se ?odKsll"ower$#l hnd ws rechin) into histor& to crete stor& which cn tech #s 'o#t hi%0 CThese thin)sh""ened to the% s e%"les nd were written downs wrnin)s $or #s! on who% the $#l;ll%ent o$ the )eshs co%e0 * 9orinthins *=**G ?od c#sed thesethin)s to h""en! sw tht the& were recorded in hisword! nd ins"ired the New Test%ent writers to #sethe% s e%"les to tech #s0 #ite "ln

ADAM AND EVE

Let #s strt t the 'e)innin)0 9onsider Ad%nd E2e0 Ad%ittedl&! this is so%ewht ris3& "lce tostrt0 The Bi'le is '& $r the %ost cc#rte 'oo3 o$ncient histor&! witho#t ri2l0 H2in) sid this! the;rst ele2en 'oo3s o$ ?enesis re essentill& "re

histor&0 The historicll&rcheolo)icll& con;r%'le%teril in the Old Test%ent 'e)ins with the li$e o$A'rh% in ?enesis ch"ter twel2e0 OneKs $ith in thereli'ilit& o$ the stor& o$ Ad% nd E2e is 'sed on the2er& stron) e2idence $or the reli'ilit& o$ the Old

Test%ent in )enerl0H2in) sid this! the Old Test%ent 'e)ins with

)ret e%"le o$ t&"e in Ad% nd E2e0 It isss#%ed here tht the reder is $%ilir with thisstor&! '#t i$ not! "lese red ?enesis ch"ter three0When Ad% nd E2e C$ell in ?enesis three! in 2er&rel sense the& were stndin) $or ll o$ #s0 Ad% nd

:A)in! see do6ens o$ e%"les s#""ortin) this cli% in%& 'oo3 #easons for $elief" % Handboo& of 'hristian vidences.


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:: FROM SHADOW TO REALITY

E2e re the t&"e0 Yo# nd I re the ntit&"e0 The stor&o$ Ad% nd E2e is the stor& o$ e2er& one o$ #s0 Ad%nd E2e were creted to 3now nd h2e n inti%te

reltionshi" with ?od0 ?od )2e the% $reedo%! '#t helso )2e the% choices which hd conse#ences0Un$ort#ntel&! E2e nd Ad% '#sed tht choice! sdid ll o$ #s0 The res#lt o$ tht choice ws dethnoti%%edite "h&sicl deth s the ;rst co#"le hd"erh"s 'een ntici"tin) the ser"ent creted lot o$con$#sion hereG! '#t deth nd se"rtion $ro% ?odwere the #lti%te res#lt o$ their choice to tr#st their

own wisdo% o2er the lo2in) d%onish%ent o$ ?od09n n&one relte to this scenrio Is this not! in sin)le! si%"le nd 'e#ti$#l stor&! the h#%ncondition Tho#snds! %illions o$ 'oo3s! "oe%s!son)s! "l&s nd the li3e h2e 'een "rod#ced '&"eo"le to e"ress the h#%n condition! &et ?od o#tdidthe% ll ri)ht in the 'e)innin) o$ the Bi'le #sin) thesi%"lest o$ stories0

The )ret thin) 'o#t this stor& is tht it rell&h""ened! nd &et it ser2es s n ect re"resenttiono$ e2er& "ersonKs reltionshi" with ?od0 ?od istechin) #s in this stor& nd is l&in) the )ro#ndwor3$or the New Test%ent %ess)e o$ o#r need $or 4es#s9hrist ri)ht t the 'e)innin)0 CThere$ore! 5#st s sinentered the world thro#)h one %n! nd deth thro#)h

sin! nd in this w& deth c%e to ll %en! 'ec#se llsinned0 Ro%ns 8*:G0

The t&"e nd ntit&"e $o#nd in E2e ndes"ecill& in Ad% )oes $#rther0 When ?od cretes historicl "ict#res&%'ol"re;)#ret&"e! he is 'le todo it in l&ers nd on %n& le2els0

Ne2ertheless! deth rei)ned $ro% the

ti%e o$ Ad% to the ti%e o$ Moses! e2eno2er those who did not sin '& 're3in) co%%nd! s did Ad%! who was a patternof the one to come0

B#t the )i$t is not li3e the tres"ss0For i$ the %n& died '& the tres"ss o$ the


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Pre;)#res o$ the Messih:-

one %n! how %#ch %ore did ?odKs )rcend the )i$t tht c%e '& the )rce o$ theone %n! 4es#s 9hrist! o2erQow to the %n&

A)in! the )i$t o$ ?od is not li3e the res#lt o$the one %nKs sin The 5#d)%ent $ollowedone sin nd 'ro#)ht conde%ntion! '#t the)i$t $ollowed %n& tres"sses! nd 'ro#)ht

5#sti;ction0 For i$! '& the tres"ss o$ theone %n! deth rei)ned thro#)h tht one%n! how %#ch %ore will those who recei2e?odKs '#ndnt "ro2ision o$ )rce nd o$the )i$t o$ ri)hteo#sness rei)n in li$e thro#)hthe one %n! 4es#s 9hrist0

9onse#entl&! 5#st s the res#lt o$ onetres"ss ws conde%ntion $or ll %en! solso the res#lt o$ one ct o$ ri)hteo#snessws 5#sti;ction tht 'rin)s li$e to ll %en0For 5#st s thro#)h the diso'edience o$ the

one %n the %n& were %de sinners! solso thro#)h the o'edience o$ the one %nthe %n& will 'e %de ri)hteo#s0 Ro%ns8*:*+G

?od #ses Ad% s t&"e o$ 4es#s! '#t in 2er&s"ecil w&0 The& re the s%e nd &et the& reo""osites0 Notice the e%"hsi6ed words! CAd% who

was a pattern of the one to come. The one to co%e!in this cse! is 4es#s 9hrist0 This is one o$ the dee"est"ss)es o$ scri"t#re0 Entire 'oo3s co#ld 'e writtenon this "ss)e in $ct the& h2e Let #s 3ee" itsi%"le0 4#st s the sin o$ Ad% set "ttern nd"rod#ced terri'le res#lt $or ll who wo#ld $ollow hi%!so the "er$ect li$e nd the scri;ce o$ 4es#s set

"ttern nd "rod#ced wonder$#l res#lt $or ll thosewho wo#ld t#rn $ro% the sin o$ Ad% to theri)hteo#sness o$ 4es#s 9hrist0 This is dee" st#! '#t?od c#sed n e2ent to h""en in the distnt "stwhich wo#ld lter ser2e s t&"e o$ his s2in) )rce in

4es#s 9hrist0 In 2er& rel sense! the li$e o$ Ad%ser2es s li2in) "ro"hec& o$ the ntit&"eJ 4es#s


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:/ FROM SHADOW TO REALITY

9hrist0There is still %ore "ro"hec& in the stor& o$ Ad%

nd E2e0 The s#'5ect o$ %essinic "ro"hec& will 'e

reser2ed $or lter ch"ter in the 'oo3 '#t it is hrdnot to %ention wht is l%ost certinl& the ;rst%essinic "ro"hec& in the Old Test%ent0 This is$o#nd in ?enesis -*/!*80 In this "ss)e! ?od s"e3sto the ser"nt! or Stn! tellin) hi% tht 'ec#se hedecei2ed E2e! CI will "#t en%it& 'etween &o# nd thewo%n! nd 'etween &o#r os"rin) nd hersJ he willcr#sh &o#r hed nd &o# will stri3e his heel0 This is

"ro"hec& concernin) 4es#s! the os"rin) o$ thewo%n! the Che in this "ss)e0 Stn will do so%ed%)e to the wor3 o$ ?od in 4es#s 9hrist! he willstri3e the os"rin)Ks heel! '#t the Messih wille2ent#ll& cr#sh the wor3 o$ Stn thro#)h his willin)scri;ce on the cross nd thro#)h his res#rrection $ro%the ded0 The the%e o$ this 'oo3 is re2eled to #s)in0 Fro% the 2er& 'e)innin) o$ %n3indKs $ll! ?odhd "ln to del with the "ro'le% o$ sin0 Yes! theconse#ences o$ E2e nd Ad%Ks sins were terri'le!'#t ?od hd "ln $ro% the 'e)innin) to send s2io#r to cr#sh the hed o$ the one thro#)h who% thete%"ttion c%e! nd thro#)h who% te%"ttionco%es to #s0

NOAH AND THE !OOD

NohKs Qood which ws rell& ?odKs QoodG isone o$ the %ost si)ni;cnt o$ the e2ents recorded inthe Old Test%ent0 This stor& is dri""in) with t&"eswhich ;nd their $#l;ll%ent in the New Test%ent0 In$ct! tht is PeterKs "oint in : Peter :/+J

For i$ ?od< did not s"re the ncientworld when he 'ro#)ht the Qood on its#n)odl& "eo"le! '#t "rotected Noh! "recher o$ ri)hteo#sness! nd se2enothers!< i$ tht is so! then the Lord 3nowshow to resc#e )odl& %en $ro% trils nd to


25/334

Pre;)#res o$ the Messih:8

hold the #nri)hteo#s $or the d& o$5#d)%ent! while contin#in) their"#nish%ent0

O$ co#rse! the stor& o$ Noh nd his $%il& stnds onits own! "ro2idin) )ret lessons to the 4ews who red it0Howe2er! in ddition! when ?od 'ro#)ht on the Qood inthe d& o$ Noh! he ws cretin) t&"e whose ntit&"eis 4#d)%ent D&0 In $ct! Peter #ses the t&"e the QoodGto e"lin wht the ntit&"e 4#d)%ent D&G will 'e li3ein : Peter --,

First o$ ll! &o# %#st #nderstnd thtin the lst d&s scoers will co%e! sco@n)nd $ollowin) their own e2il desires0 The&will s& CWhere is this co%in)K he"ro%ised E2er since o#r $thers died!e2er&thin) )oes on s it hs since the

'e)innin) o$ cretion0 B#t the&deli'ertel& $or)et tht lon) )o '& ?odKsword the he2ens eisted nd the erthws $or%ed o#t o$ wter nd '& wter0 B&these wters lso the world o$ tht ti%ews del#)ed nd destro&ed0 B& the s%eword the "resent he2ens nd erth rereser2ed $or ;re! 'ein) 3e"t $or the d& o$

5#d)e%ent nd destr#ction o$ #n)odl&%en0

E2er& s"irit#l techin) in the New Test%ent hsso%e sort o$ "h&sicl $oreshdow in the Old0 4#d)%entD& is no ece"tion0

There is %ore detil to the $oreshdow which is

NohKs Qood0 There is sil2er linin) in the clo#d o$ theQood o$ Noh0 The s%e sil2er linin) is $o#nd in theNew Test%ent techin) 'o#t 4#d)%ent D&0 In thishorri'le Qood which clered the erth o$ sin$#l %en! $ew were s2ed thro#)h the wter0 As with the t&"e! sowith the ntit&"e0 Onl& $ew! n%el& Noh nd hisi%%edite $%il&! were s2ed $ro% the Qood thro#)h


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:> FROM SHADOW TO REALITY

their $ith nd o'edience to wht ?od co%%nded0Si%ilrl&! with the second 5#d)%ent! onl& $ew will 'es2ed! this ti%e thro#)h the wter o$ '"tis%0 The

wter o$ the Qood is s&%'ol o$ the clensin) which?od crries o#t $or #s in '"tis%0

?od wited "tientl& in the d&s o$Noh while the r3 ws 'ein) '#ilt0 In it!onl& $ew were "eo"le! ei)ht in ll! weres2ed thro#)h wter! nd this wters&%'oli6es '"tis% tht now s2es &o#

lsonot the re%o2l o$ dirt $ro% the 'od&'#t the "led)e o$ )ood conscience towrd?od0 It s2es &o# '& the res#rrection o$

4es#s 9hrist! who hs )one into he2en ndis t ?odKs ri)ht hnd0 * Peter -:=::G

As 4es#s ws rised $ro% the ded! so Noh nd his$%il& were rised 'o2e the wters nd s2ed thro#)htheir $ith nd o'edience to ?od0 In the stor& o$ Nohwe h2e the horrors o$ 4#d)%ent D& nd the )lor& o$sl2tion in the wters o$ '"tis%0 This 'rin)s to %indthe stte%ent in Ro%ns *8/! CFor e2er&thin) thtws written in the "st ws written to tech #s! so thtthro#)h the end#rnce nd enco#r)e%ent o$ theScri"t#res we %i)ht h2e ho"e0 There is wrnin) nd

there is ho"e in the stor& o$ the Qood0

A"#AHAM$ %&HMAE! AND %&AA'

An entire 'oo3 co#ld 'e written 5#st on thes#'5ect o$ the li$e o$ A'rh% s $oreshdow nd s t&"e o$ the $#nd%entl techin)s in the New

Test%ent0 Thro#)h his $ith! A'rh% 'ec%e the

$ther o$ %n& ntions ?enesis *,8G0 He lso'ec%e the $ther o$ ll those who thro#)h $ith!recei2e the "ro%ise o$ eternl li$e in 4es#s 9hrist0 ?od#sed A'rh% s "erh"s the %ost i%"ortnt t&"e inthe Old Test%ent0 A'rh% is t&"e o$ ll those whowo#ld 'e s2ed '& $ith #nder the New 9o2ennt0


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Pre;)#res o$ the Messih:,A'rh%Ks ntit&"e is n&one who is s2ed '& the'lood o$ 4es#s0

We h2e 'een s&in) tht A'rh%Ks$ith ws credited to hi% s ri)hteo#sness0Under wht circ#%stnces ws it creditedWs it $ter he ws circ#%cised or 'e$oreIt ws not $ter '#t 'e$ore And herecei2ed the si)n o$ circ#%cision! sel o$the ri)hteo#sness tht he hd '& $ithwhile he ws still #ncirc#%cised0 So then!he is the $ther ie0 t&"eG o$ ll who 'elie2e'#t h2e not 'een circ#%cised! in ordertht ri)hteo#sness %i)ht 'e credited tothe%0 And he is lso the $ther t&"eG o$ llthose who not onl& re circ#%cised '#twho lso wl3 in the $ootste"s o$ the $iththt o#r $ther A'rh% hd 'e$ore he ws

circ#%cised0 Ro%ns /+*:G

A'rh% is the t&"e o$ those who re s2ed! not '&'ein) 'orn 4ew nd re there$ore circ#%cised"h&sicll&! '#t '& $ith nd '& 'ein) 'orn )in into9hrist0 A'rh% ws li2in)! wl3in)! 'rethin)e%"le nd "roo$ tht we re 5#sti;ed '& $ith0 Inorder to dri2e his "oint ho%e! P#l re%inds his reders

tht A'rh% is the t&"e! not onl& o$ the ?entiles! '#tlso o$ the 4ews who wo#ld cce"t 4es#s 9hrist ss2ior Cthose who not onl& re circ#%cised '#t wholso wl3 in the $ootste"s o$ the $ith tht o#r $therA'rh% hd0

P#l 'rin)s his "oint ho%e in Ro%ns /*>!*,0

He is the $ther $ore$#nner! '#t lso t&"eGo$ #s ll0 As it is written CI h2e %de &o# $ther o$ %n& ntions0 He is o#r $ther in thesi)ht o$ ?od! in who% he 'elie2edthe ?od who)i2es li$e to the ded nd clls thin)s tht renot s tho#)h the& were0


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:. FROM SHADOW TO REALITY

When ?od sw the $ith o$ A'rh%! in his %ind helso sw #s0 When ?od sw A'rh%! willin) to le2ehis li$e o$ leis#re to wnder in the wilderness! 'elie2in)

the "ro%ise o$ son! e2en tho#)h his 'od& ws s)ood s ded! nd willin) to )i2e #" his "ro%ised son!in his hert ?od sw ll o$ those who wo#ld in the$#t#re li2e o#t wht A'rh% $oreshdowed the li$e o$$ith in ?od0 When ?od credited A'rh%Ks $ith sri)hteo#sness! he ws! '& 2icrio#s $oreshdow!doin) the s%e $or #s0

There is %#ch %ore $oreshdow to 'e $o#nd in

the li$e o$ A'rh%0 9onsider the 'irth o$ his children0Srh hd 'een "ro%ised child des"ite her'rrenness nd d2nced )e0 Un$ort#ntel&! shew2ered in her $ith nd sent H)r to l& withA'rh%0 C?o slee" with %& %idser2ntJ "erh"s Icn '#ild $%il& thro#)h her ?enesis *>:G0 This#n$ith$#l #nion led to the 'irth o$ Ish%el0 Ish%el is t&"e o$ the ntion Isrel nd o$ the Old 9o2ennt0Des"ite her #n$ith$#lness! ?od 'lessed Srh with the"ro%ised child! Isc0 This scene is n %6in)$oreshdow o$ ?odKs )rce towrd #s0 Isc ser2es st&"e o$ the 9h#rch! o$ the "ro%ise o$ do"tion into?odKs s"irit#l $%il&0 As with Ish%el! the ntion o$Isrel! the 4ews! re the "eo"le o$ ?od thro#)h nt#rl'irth0 As with Isc! the disci"les o$ 4es#s 9hrist re

the "eo"le o$ ?od thro#)h %irc#lo#s 'irth'oth the%irc#lo#s 'irth o$ 4es#s nd the %irc#lo#s re'irth in'"tis% %ore on tht lterG0

It wo#ld 'e $ir to s& tht the 4ewish "eo"lewo#ld not esil& 'e willin) to see the%sel2es s thentit&"e o$ Ish%el0 This is es"ecill& tr#e 'ec#se thedescendnts o$ Ish%el 'ec%e their trditionlene%iesJ the Ar' "eo"le0 The Ar's h2e 'een the

2owed ene%ies o$ Isrel e2en to this d&0 Yet ?od! inhis wisdo% nd $ore3nowled)e %de Ish%el! the child'& nt#rl descent t&"e o$ Isrel0 O$ co#rse! thenews $or the 4ews is not ll 'd 'ec#se the "ro%ise o$sl2tiono$ s"irit#l circ#%cision nd do"tion intos"irit#l $%il& line o$ Iscis 2il'le to the 4ews s


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Pre;)#res o$ the Messih:+well i$ the& will co%e to the Messih! 4es#s 9hrist0

P#l "ro2ides %ore detils 'o#t the nt#re o$the $oreshdow ?od creted in Ish%el nd IscJ

Tell %e! &o# who wnt to 'e #nderthe lw! re &o# not wre o$ wht the lws&s For it is written tht A'rh% hdtwo sons! one '& the sl2e wo%n nd theother '& the $ree wo%n0 His son '& thesl2e wo%n ws 'orn in the ordinr& w&J'#t his son '& the $ree wo%n ws 'orn sthe res#lt o$ "ro%ise0

These thin)s %& 'e t3en;)#rti2el& s s&%'ols or $oreshdowsG!$or the wo%en re"resent the twoco2ennts0 One co2ennt is $ro% Mo#ntSini in Ar'i nd corres"onds to the"resent cit& o$ 4er#sle%! 'ec#se she is in

sl2er& with her children0 B#t the4er#sle% tht is 'o2e is $ree! nd she iso#r %other


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-= FROM SHADOW TO REALITY

*>*:G0 9o#ld n& %ore cc#rte "ro"hec& 'o#t thention Isrel h2e 'een s"o3en It is dee"l& ironic thtIsh%el 'ec%e the "h&sicl $ther o$ the Ar'

"eo"les! &et ?od %de hi% the t&"e o$ the ntion o$Isrel0Thirteen &ers lter! the child o$ "ro%ise! Isc!

ws 'orn0 Shortl& $ter! in ;t o$ 5elo#s&! Srh sidto A'rh%! C)et rid o$ tht sl2e wo%n nd her son!$or tht sl2e wo%nKs son will ne2er shre in theinheritnce with %& son Isc0 ?enesis :**=G0 Littledid Srh 3now when she cted on her 5elo#s&! tht

she wo#ld 'e ctin) o#t $oreshdow o$ wht wo#ldocc#r o2er ei)hteen cent#ries lter0 Fort& &ers $terthe 'irth o$ the ch#rch o$ 9hrist on the D& o$Pentecost! 4er#sle% ws destro&ed nd the Old9o2ennt scri;cil s&ste% ended $ore2er in AD ,=0?od hd re5ected his $or%er child! "h&sicl Isrel ndre"lced it with s"irit#l Isrelthe New Test%entch#rch0

Is there n& chnce tht this is ll 5#st set o$chnce e2ents 9o#ld the writers o$ the New

Test%ent h2e si%"l& scnned the 2rio#s stories inthe Old Test%ent #ntil the& $o#nd ones ""ro"rite to%3in) their theolo)icl "oints A)in! i$ there wereonl& one or two e%"les o$ this sort o$ thin)! this%i)ht 'e reson'le concl#sion! '#t the wei)ht o$

e2idence is %o#ntin)! nd we h2e 2er& lon) w& to)o

In * 9orinthins *=** P#l s&s tht CThesethin)s h""ened to the% s e%"les nd werewritten down s wrnin)s $or #s


31/334

Pre;)#res o$ the Messih-*done $or #s in 'ein) willin) to scri;ce his son When?od sid CA'rh%! one s#rel& wo#ld not h2e'l%ed hi% i$ he hd re"lied C?o w& nd le2e %e

lone ?odKs cll to A'rh% o$ten in2ol2ed scri;ce0Insted! A'rh% sid CHere I %0 Then ?od sid!CT3e &o#r son! &o# onl& son Isc


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-: FROM SHADOW TO REALITY

2icti% wl3ed on his own "ower to the scri;cil ltr0Is it %ere coincidence tht ?od clled A'rh%

to tr2el ll the w& to Mo#nt Morih Wh& Mo#nt

Morih This is the s%e hill on which the Te%"le wslter '#ilt0 The "lce where A'rh% oered #" hisso5n is the %o#ntin ner which 4es#s ws conde%ned!onl& 2er& s%ll distnce $ro% the "lce where 4es#sws scri;ced $or o#r sin0 ?od s3ed A'rh% to cto#t "l& on the s%e st)e which he "lnned to #seei)hteen h#ndred &ers lter to reenct wht A'rh%did in oerin) #" his son0 A'rh% did not 3now this0

He si%"l& o'e&ed ?od0 The writer o$ ?enesis ws lso#nwre o$ the %6in) $#t#re s&%'olis% he wsrecordin) when these words were ;rst written down0Did A'rh% wnt to scri;ce his son Did ?od wntto scri;ce his Son CNot s I will! '#t s &o# will0Mtthew :>-+G0 4es#s ws rel#ctnt '#t willin)scri;ce! s ws Isc0

We h2e lred& seen tht $ro% ?odKs"ers"ecti2e! sin re#ires 'lood scri;ce0 WhenA'rh% rised the 3ni$e! IscKs li$e ws $or$eit0 Atthe lst %o%ent! ?od %irc#lo#sl& s#""lied l%' sotht Isc wo#ld not need to 'e 3illed0 Witho#t 4es#s!we re destined $or deth d#e to o#r sins0 Fort#ntel&$or #s! Ct 5#st the ri)ht ti%e! when we were still"owerless! 9hrist died $or the #n)odl&0 Ro%ns 8>G0

?od #ses historicl e2ents to ill#strte his reltionshi"with #s0

&ODOM AND (OMO##AH

When ?od 5#d)ed the cities o$ Sodo% nd?o%orrh! the s&%'olis% ws not s#'tle0 E2en $orthose with 2irt#ll& no e"os#re to the Bi'le the n%es

Sodo% nd ?o%orrh h2e stron) i%"lictions0 Theword sodo%& deri2es $ro% this stor&0 ?od is serio#s'o#t sin We sho#ld re%e%'er tht wht ?od did tothese cities! he did Cs e%"les! to 3ee" #s $ro%settin) o#r herts on e2il thin)s s the& did0 *9orinthins *=>G0


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Pre;)#res o$ the Messih--

The cities o$ Soddo% nd ?o%orrh stnd st&"es o$ the horror o$ sin0 The sit#tion in these citiesws so 'd tht it ws 2irt#ll& i%"ossi'le! e2en $or

"erson with )ood hert! to re%in #ncorr#"ted0

Be$ore the& hd )one to 'ed! ll the %en$ro% e2er& "rt o$ the cit& o$ Sodo%'oth&o#n) nd olds#rro#nded the ho#se0

The& clled o#t to Lot! CWhere re the %enwho c%e to &o# toni)ht Brin) the% o#tto #s so tht we cn h2e se with the%0?enesis *+/!8G

Is the "oint o$ this stor& how horri'le the s"eci;c sinthe& wnted to en))e in is! or is the "oint the"er2si2eness o$ sin nd how we cn 'e corr#"ted i$ wellow o#rsel2es to 'eco%e i%%ersed in "eo"le whoh2e )i2en the%sel2es #" to sin

I$ the cit& o$ Sodo% is s&%'olic o$ sin! then whth""ened to the cit& is $oreshdow s well0 CHeconde%ned the cities o$ Sodo% nd ?o%orrh '&'#rnin) the% to shes! nd %de the% n e%"le o$wht is )oin) to h""en to the #n)odl&0 : Peter :>G0

The %ess)e o$ Sodo% nd ?o%orrh is tht#nre"ented sin will not )o #n"#nished0 No less techer thn 4es#s 9hrist hi%sel$ "reched this

%ess)e0 CIt ws the s%e in the d&s o$ Lot0 Peo"lewere etin) nd drin3in)! '#&in) nd sellin)! "lntin)nd '#ildin)0 B#t the d& Lot le$t Sodo%! ;re nds#l$#r rined down $ro% he2en nd destro&ed the%ll0 L#3e *,:.!:+G Nor%ll&! ?od will llow the sin o$indi2id#ls to )o #n"#nished in order to )i2e the% no""ort#nit& to co%e to their senses! '#t in the cse o$

Sodo% nd ?o%orrh! ?od decided to set $or #s )r"hic e%"le o$ wht is in store $or the wic3ed who'#se the "tience o$ ?od0

The stor& o$ Sodo% nd ?o%orrh is not lldoo% nd )loo%0 E2en in the 2er& dr3est ho#r! whensin ""ers to 'e in totl control! the lo2e nd the)rce o$ ?od is wor3in)0 A%on)st the horror tht ws


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-/ FROM SHADOW TO REALITY

Sodo%! there ws one ri)hteo#s %n0 Ne2er %ind the$ct tht Lot hd no '#siness 'ein) there0 He sho#ldh2e %o2ed o#t o$ there lon) ti%e 'e$ore0 In this

stor&! Lot is t&"e0 Lot stnds $or those who wo#ldre%in ri)hteo#s in wic3ed nd de"r2ed world whicht3es e2er& o""ort#nit& to dr) #s down0 Lot ws not"er$ect! '#t Lot still cl#n) to his reltionshi" with ?od0As with Lot! so with those o$ #s who re willin) tore%in #nstined '& the world0 Lot is the tttered '#ts#r2i2in) re%nnt0 Lot is the one who %3es it tohe2en! '#t in the words o$ P#l! Conl& s one esc"in)

$ro% Q%es0 * 9orinthins -*8G0 Lot is the disci"leo$ 4es#s who 5#st 'rel& hn)s in there0 4#st 'rel&hn)in) in there is not )ret! '#t it 'ets )i2in) #" '& %ile A'rh% is )reter thn Lot! '#t Lot %3es it tohe2en Tht co#nts $or so%ethin)0 It is tellin) tht?od cll Lot! "erson who 5#st 'rel& %de it! ri)hteo#s %n : Peter :,G0

LotKs wi$e is t&"e s well0 As is t&"icl! ?odcn %3e e2en the s%llest detil o$ histor& stnd $or )ret tr#th nd tech #s 'o#t reltionshi" with hi%0CB#t LotKs wi$e loo3ed 'c3 nd she 'ec%e "illr o$slt0 ?enesis *+:>G0 LotKs wi$e is $oreshdow o$those who wo#ld le2e their li$e o$ sin! 'eco%e disci"le o$ 4es#s! '#t lter loo3 'c30 Wht is ?odtr&in) to tech #s 'o#t t#rnin) 'c3 to o#r old li$e o$

sin $ter decidin) to $ollow hi% 4es#s "#t it si%"l&!CRe%e%'er LotKs wi$e L#3e *,-:G0

This stor& rell& h""ened0/ In $ct! I hesitte to#se the word stor& 'ec#se in co%%on En)lish #s)ethe word stor& o$ten i%"lies so%ethin) %de #"0 Inthe stor& o$ Sodo% nd ?o%orrh we h2e sin nd?odKs 5#d)%ent on sin0 We lso h2e the )rce o$ ?od0

The s%e Q%es which destro& %n& cn "#ri$& the

one who 'rel& esc"es the%0 We see the o""ort#nit&to Qee $ro% li$e o$ sin0 Howe2er! contined in tht

-For rcheolo)icl e2idence which s#""orts the historiclcc#rc& o$ the 'i'licl stor& o$ Sodo% nd ?o%orrh! see 4ohn M0O3es! #easons for $elief?9I 'oo3s! Hi)hlnds Rnch! 9olordo!:==*G! ""0 :=-:=80


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Pre;)#res o$ the Messih-8o""ort#nit& is lso wrnin)0 Le2in) &o#r li$e o$ sin isnot eno#)h0 CNo one who "#ts his hnds to the "lownd loo3s 'c3 is not ;t $or ser2ice in 3in)do% o$ ?od0

L#3e +>:G0 A)in! n e2ent in the Old Test%ent$oreshdows techin) in the New0

)A'O" AND E&A*

?od )2e nother o'5ect lesson 'o#t hisreltionshi" with #s in the li2es o$ the twins 4co' ndEs#0 In $ct! e2en 'e$ore the& were 'orn! these twowere techin) #s 'o#t the so2erei)nt& o$ ?od0 InIsrelite c#sto%! the ;rst 'orn son recei2ed do#'le"ortion o$ the inheritnce $ro% his $ther0 In this cse!the $ther ws Isc! who stood in the direct line whiche2ent#ll& led to the 'irth o$ 4es#s 9hrist0 The 'irth o$Ess# nd 4co' re"resents %5or $or3 in the rod $or?odKs "ln to 'less h#%nit& thro#)h the seed o$

A'rh%0 In $oreshdow o$ thin)s to co%e! s Es#c%e $orth $ro% his %other Re'e3h ;rst! 4co')r''ed his hel0 4co' ws not 'o#t to conceden&thin) to his older 'rother Fro% tht %o%ent$orwrd! 4co' s"ent his li$e tr&in) to )r' $ro% Ess#wht ri)htl& 'elon)ed to the ;rst 'orn0

?od #sed Es# s t&"e o$ Isrel nd the Old9o2ennt! while 4co' is t&"e whose ntit&"e is the

New 9o2ennt ch#rch0 Isrel c%e ;rst! nd ws! '&ri)hts! the ;rst'orn child o$ ?od0 Yet ?od! in hisso2erei)n will! chose to t3e the ri)ht o$ the ;rst 'ornson nd )i2e it to the ?entilesto those who 'eco%esons o$ ?od thro#)h the 'lood o$ 9hrist0 H#ndreds o$&ers 'e$ore ?od est'lished the ;rst 9o2ennt tMo#nt Sini! he $oreshdowed tht lter co2ennt

wo#ld s#"ercede it0?od de%onstrted nd "ro"hesied this $ct inthe li$e o$ 4co' nd Es#0 The stor& o$ Es# sellin) his'irthri)ht $or 'owl o$ lentil stew is "ro2er'il0 WhenEs# c%e ho%e $%ished $ro% h#n)in) tri"! 4co'tric3ed hi% into trdin) his ri)ht s ;rst 'orn son0 In stte%ent which wo#ld echo thro#)h h#%n histor&!


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-> FROM SHADOW TO REALITY

Es# sid! CWht )ood is the 'irthri)ht to %e

B#t 4co' sid! CSwer to %e ;rst0

So he swore n oth to hi%! sellin) his'irthri)ht to 4co'0Then 4co' )2e Es# so%e 'red

nd so%e lentil stew0 He te nd he drn3!nd then )ot #" nd le$t0

So Es# des"ised his 'irthri)ht0?enesis :8-:-/G

The 4ews #nder the Old 9o2ennt who red this stor&identi;ed the%sel2es with 4co'0 All lon)! ?od hd dierent intention0

P#l e"lins wht ?od hd in %ind in Ro%ns+*=*-

Not onl& tht! '#t Re'eccKs childrenhd one nd the s%e $ther! o#r $therIsc0 Yet! 'e$ore the twins were 'orn orhd done n&thin) )ood or 'din ordertht ?odKs "#r"ose in election %i)ht stndnot '& wor3s '#t '& hi% who cllsshews told! CThe older will ser2e the&o#n)er0 4#st s it is written C4co' h2eI lo2ed! '#t Ess# h2e I hted0

P#l is #otin) ?enesis *.*=! */ nd ?enesis :8:-nd ""l&in) the stor& to ?entile 9hristins nd 4ewswho do not cce"t $ith in 4es#s 9hrist0 The ""lictiono$ the stor& o$ 4co' nd Es# to New Test%enttheolo)& is wor3ed o#t in detil in Ro%ns0 ?od choseIsrel! '#t he re"lced the Old 9o2enntthe lw o$Moses with the New 9o2enntthe lw o$ 9hrist0 It

ws ?odKs intention ll lon) to %3e the $or%er theser2nt o$ the ltter0

This is ectl& wht h""ened with 4co' ndEs#0 In $ct! we s& 4co' nd Es#! not Es# nd

4co'! e2en tho#)h Es# ws 'orn ;rst0 Es# lost %orethn the ri)ht o$ the ;rst'orn to 4co'Ks tric3er&0


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Pre;)#res o$ the Messih-,?enesis twent&se2en records the deceit$#l %ens '&which 4co'! t the enco#r)e%ent o$ his %other!"retended to 'e his hir& older twin! 'rin)in) in his

$therKs $2orite dish s he l& ner deth0 4co' too3d2nt)e o$ IscKs 'lindness! $oolin) hi% into )i2in)hi% his ;nl 'lessin)0 As Isc sid!

C


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-. FROM SHADOW TO REALITY

lessons to 'e lerned $ro% the stor& o$ 4co' nd Es#re%e%'er! P#l sid these thin)s occ#rred se%"les to #sG0 It is instr#cti2e to notice tht 4co'

ws $r $ro% "er$ect0 ?od did not choose 4co''ec#se he ws so %#ch %ore ri)hteo#s thn Es#0 Itis the s%e with n&one who is s2ed #nder the New9o2ennt0 It is not tht n& o$ #s re 'etter thnthose who re lost0 It is onl& the )rce o$ ?od which)i2es #s ccess into the 'lessin) o$ 4co''#ndntli$e in 9hrist0 There is no c#se $or 'ostin) here0

Re%e%'er s well tht Es# hd the 'lessin) o$

?od t one ti%e0 In He'rews *:*> ?od wrns #s notto 'eco%e Cli3e Es#! who $or sin)le %el sold hisinheritnce ri)hts s the oldest son0 A$terwrd! s &o#3now! when he wnted to inherit this 'lessin)! he wsre5ected0 He co#ld 'rin) 'o#t not chn)e o$ %ind!tho#)h he so#)ht the 'lessin) with ters0 Mn& h2elost si)ht o$ the 'lessin)s the& h2e in ?odKs $%il&nd sold their sl2tion $or thin)s s insi)ni;cnt s sin)le %el 'etter 5o'! one ni)ht stnd! 'etterre"#ttion nd the li3e0 It is "ossi'le to lose oneKssl2tion0 Let #s t3e wrnin) $ro% Es#0

There is )ret del o$ s&%'olis% contined inthe rest o$ the ?enesis cco#nt0 One co#ld %entionthe s&%'olis% contined in the incident o$ 4co'wrestlin) with the n)el ?enesis -:::-:G0 ?od hd

New Test%ent techin) in %ind when he ren%ed4co' s Isrel0 The li$e o$ 4ose"h! the $2orite son o$4co' stnds s n %6in) "re;)#re o$ 9hrist! '#t wewill le2e tht $or lter ch"ter0 It is ti%e to considerthe eod#s o$ ?odKs "eo"le $ro% E)&"t0

THE E+OD*&

% &la,ery in Egypt-

When 4co'Ks $%il& Qed to E)&"t to esc"e the$%ine! little did the& 3now the& were 'e)innin) s) which wo#ld crete n %6in)l& 2i2id i%)e o$ll the st)es '& which ?od "#rs#es reltionshi" with


39/334

Pre;)#res o$ the Messih-+ech o$ #s0 Re%e%'er tht the the%e o$ the entireBi'le is ?odKs desire nd "ln to h2e reltionshi"with ech o$ the "eo"le he hs creted0 The entire

histor& o$ Isrel is the ctin) o#t o$ n intricte "l&showin) ?odKs "ln to h2e #s in reltionshi" withhi% $or eternit&0

When 4co'! his ele2en sons! their wi2es!children nd ser2nts Qed to E)&"t! it see%ed to 'e )ood thin) t ;rst0 In $ct! i$ the sons o$ 4co' hd not)one down to E)&"t! ?odKs "ln to 'rin) the Messihthro#)h A'rh%Ks descendnts wo#ld not h2e 'eenreli6ed0 At ;rst! the Isrelites Qo#rished in E)&"t0 In$ct! the& 'ec%e "erh"s the sin)le lr)est nonE)&"tin se)%ent o$ the "o"#ltion in E)&"t0Ulti%tel&! o#t o$ )reed nd o#t o$ $er tht theIsrelites %i)ht re'el nd set #" their owninde"endent "ower in the Nile delt! the Phrohs'e)n "olic& o$ s#'5ectin) Isrel to sl2er&0 Isrel

ended #" in 'ond)e0?od #ses the 'ond)e o$ Isrel in E)&"t s

t&"e0 Thro#)ho#t the New Test%ent! 'ond)e inIsrel is #sed s s&%'ol o$ n indi2id#lKs 'ond)e tosin0 Isrel in E)&"t is s&%'olic o$ n& indi2id#l in'ond)e to sin 'e$ore the& re $reed $ro% sin thro#)hthe 'lood o$ 9hrist0 As 4es#s sid! CI tell &o# the tr#th!e2er&one who sins is sl2e to sin0 4ohn .-/G0

So the& "#t sl2e %sters o2er the%to o""ress the% with $orced l'or! ndthe& '#ilt Pitho% nd R%eses s storecities $or Phroh0 B#t the %ore the& wereo""ressed! the %ore the& %#lti"lied nds"redJ so the E)&"tins c%e to dred the

Isrelites nd wor3ed the% r#thlessl&0The& %de their li2es 'itter with hrd l'orin 'ric3 nd %ortr nd with ll 3inds o$wor3 in the ;eldsJ in ll their hrd l'or theE)&"tins #sed the% r#thlessl&0 Eod#s***G


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/= FROM SHADOW TO REALITY

Tr#l&! sin is hrd ts3 %ster0 In ensl2es #s nd%3es #s do thin)s which we ne2er wo#ld h2e done i$not ensl2ed to it0

I$ there is one thin) ?od htes! it is when the"eo"le he creted to 3now hi% re in 'ond)e to sin0When we re in sin! we re not in $ellowshi" with ?od0When ?od sw his "eo"le cr&in) o#t #nder the %iser&o$ sl2er& in E)&"t! he sent the% s2ior0 It is onl&nt#rl to discern "rllel t&"e nd ntit&"eG'etween! on the one hnd! o#r sl2er& to sin nd ?odsendin) s2ior! 4es#s 9hrist! nd on the other hnd!

IsrelKs sl2er& in E)&"t nd ?od sendin) Moses to $reethe% $ro% c"ti2it&0 ?od hd to do so%ethin) 'o#tthe sl2er& sinG "ro'le%0 ?od chose Moses sCs2ior o$ Isrel0

?od set "rt Moses $ro% 'irth0 Bec#se Mosesis "re;)#re o$ the Messih! we will disc#ss thiss"ect lter in detil0 Loo3! howe2er! t wht ?od sidto Moses

The Lord sid! CI h2e indeed seenthe %iser& o$ %& "eo"le in E)&"t0 I h2eherd the% cr&in) o#t 'ec#se o$ theirsl2e dri2ers! nd I % concerned 'o#ttheir s#erin)0 So I h2e co%e down toresc#e the% $ro% the hnd o$ the

E)&"tins nd to 'rin) the% #" o#t o$ thtlnd into )ood nd s"cio#s lnd! lndQowin) with %il3 nd hone&the ho%e o$the 9nnites! Hittites! A%orites!Peri66ites! Hi2ites nd 4e'#sites0 And nowthe cr& o$ the Isrelites hs reched %e!nd I h2e seen the w& the E)&"tins reo""ressin) the%0 So now! )o0 I %

sendin) &o# to Phroh to 'rin) %& "eo"lethe Isrelites o#t o$ E)&"t0 Eod#s -,*=G

?od co#ld not stnd seein) his "eo"le s#erin) in'ond)e! s he cnnot cce"t #s 'ein) ensl2ed to sin0


41/334

Pre;)#res o$ the Messih/*?od hd to do so%ethin)! so he sent s2io#r0

A )ret del will 'e sid in lter ch"ter 'o#tthe Psso2er nd its weso%e s&%'olis%0 Botto% line!

thro#)h the %inistr& o$ Moses nd thro#)h the %i)ht&"ower o$ ?od! Isrel esc"ed c"ti2it&0 B#t how didthe& esc"e E)&"t nd the cl#tches o$ Phroh Howwill we esc"e the li$e o$ sin Thn3s to ten "l)#es!PhrohKs hert ws so$tened s#@cientl& $or hi% to let?odKs "eo"le )o0 B#t Stn does not )i2e #" thtesil&! nd neither did Phroh0 When Phrohreli6ed tht he ws losin) his 2st "ool o$ $ree sl2el'or! he decided to cll o#t his r%& nd "#rs#e Isrelinto the desert to 'rin) the% 'c30 Sin %& not 'es%rt! '#t it is st#''orn0

See%in)l& witho#t "ln! Moses led the "eo"leri)ht #" )inst the wters o$ the Red Se0, He %#sth2e wondered wh& ?od led hi% into deth tr"0C?od! where hs "#ttin) %& tr#st in &o# led %e

Act#ll&! wht ?od led hi% into ws wonder$#l$oreshdow o$ how we esc"e $ro% li$e o$ sin0 In oneo$ the )retest %ircles in the Bi'le! when Mosesrised his hnds o2er the wter! the Red Se "rted0Isrel ws 'le to esc"e sl2er& in E)&"t '& "ssin)ri)ht thro#)h the %idst o$ this )ret 'od& o$ wter0 Thewters o$ the Red Se re the t&"e! nd the wters o$'"tis% re the ntit&"e0 Is it n& coincidence tht

?od hd his "eo"le esc"e sl2er& in E)&"t thro#)hwter When it ""ered tht Moses ws lost! ?od wsledin) hi% ri)ht where he wnted hi%0 When the&esc"ed thro#)h the se! the E)&"tin r%&! theenls2ers o$ Isrel were #ite literll& wshed w&! sre o#r sins when we re Cwshed in '"tis%0 This isno ccident

For I do not wnt &o# to 'e i)nornto$ the $ct! 'rothers! tht o#r $ore$thers

/Literll& the Se o$ Reeds0 There is so%e contro2ers&o2er whether this ws the Red Se! the Bitter L3es north o$ theRed Se! or e2en the ?#l$ o$ A#'0 The s&%'olis% 'ehind thiscrossin) is not eected in n& cse0


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/: FROM SHADOW TO REALITY

were ll #nder the clo#d nd tht the& ll"ssed thro#)h the se0 The& were ll'"ti6ed into Moses in the clo#d nd in the

se0 The& ll te the s%e s"irit#l $oodnd drn3 the s%e s"irit#l drin3J $or the&drn3 $ro% the s"irit#l roc3 thtcco%"nied the%! nd tht roc3 ws9hrist0 * 9orinthins *=*/G

Bein) '"ti6ed into Moses %#st h2e 'een %ind'lowin) e"erience $or the 4ews0 Bein) '"ti6ed into

9hrist ?ltins -:,G is li$echn)in) e"erience swell0+ There is "ttern here0 When ?odKs "eo"le res2ed! there is rec#rrin) tendenc& $or it to in2ol2ewter0 We see this in NohKs Qood nd in IsrelKsesc"e $ro% E)&"t0 This will not 'e the lst ti%e0

A$ter esc"in) thro#)h the Red Se! the ntion o$Isrel! #nder the ledershi" o$ their Cs2ior Mosestr2eled to Mo#nt Sini! where the& recei2ed the Lw0

This is when the Old 9o2ennt ws )i2en0 Isrel hdesc"ed $ro% sl2er&! '#t then needed to est'lish reltionshi" with their ?od0 This is $oreshdow o$ New Test%ent h""enin) s well0 When one is'"ti6ed into 9hrist! the& enter new reltionshi" with?od thro#)h 9hrist0 M#ch will 'e sid in notherch"ter 'o#t the Lw o$ Moses nd the w&s in which

it "ro2ides $oreshdow o$ wht we h2e in 9hrist0

%% .andering in the .ilderness-

8There is co%%on 'elie$ in so%e 9hristindeno%intions tht '"tis% in wter is onl& s&%'ol o$ the$or)i2eness tht hs lred& occ#rred when one Ccce"ts 9hrist0

This doctrine 2ioltes n#%'er o$ cler techin)s in the Bi'le! '#tit lso 2ioltes the whole t&"entit&"e s ?od set it #"0 Thes&%'ol$oreshdow is the '"tis% o$ Isrel into Moses in the RedSe0 The New Test%ent $#l;ll%ent o$ tht s&%'ol is the relclensin) which occ#rs in the wters o$ '"tis% $or those whoh2e decided to t#rn to 9hrist0 When Isrel "ssed thro#)h thewters! the& esc"ed E)&"t t tht "oint0 It ws not so%e sort o$s&%'ol o$ wht hd lred& h""ened B"tis% is not s&%'ol0 Itis clensin)0


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Pre;)#res o$ the Messih/-

A$ter Sini! Isrel wndered in the desert $or $ort&&ers0 Wht were the& doin) ll this ti%e There re n#%'er o$ "ossi'le nswers to this #estion! '#t one

thin) we cn 'e s#re o$ when Isrel wndered in thedesert! the& were ctin) o#t $oreshdow $or #s0 Thewnderin) in the wilderness is $oreshdow o$ the li$eo$ disci"le o$ 9hrist0 When one is '"ti6ed into9hrist! one does not i%%editel& le2e the erth nd)o to he2en0 When Isrel le$t E)&"t! the& were stillnot "re"red to enter the Pro%ised Lnd0 In $ct!sl2er& in E)&"t! wnderin) in the wilderness ndenterin) the Pro%ised Lnd re ll t&"es o$ s"ects o$the reltionshi" with ?od one hs #nder the New9o2ennt! s ill#strted in the chrt 'elow0

OLD

TESTAMENTTYPE

NEW TESTAMENT

ANTITYPE

SLA(ERY INE?YPT

LOST! SLA(E TOSIN

WANDERIN? INTHEWILDERNESS

SA(ED! BUTLI(IN? THE LIFEOF A DIS9IPLE

ENTERIN? THEPROMISEDLAND

ENTERIN?HEA(EN

Wht ws the "#r"ose o$ wnderin) in thewilderness At the end o$ the $ort& &ers! ri)ht 'e$oreenterin) the Pro%ised Lnd! ?od "ro2ided n nswerto this 2er& )ood #estion

Be cre$#l to $ollow e2er& co%%nd I


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% )i2in) &o# tod&! so tht &o# %& li2end increse nd %& enter nd "ossessthe lnd tht the Lord "ro%ised on oth to

&o#r $ore$thers0 Re%e%'er how the LORD&o#r ?od led &o# ll the w& in the desertthese $ort& &ers! to h#%'le &o# nd totest &o# in order to 3now wht ws in &o#rhert! whether or not &o# wo#ld 3ee" hisco%%nds0 He h#%'led &o#! c#sin) &o#to h#n)er nd then $eedin) &o# with%nn! which neither &o# nor &o#r $thers

hd 3nown! to tech &o# tht %n does notli2e on 'red lone '#t on e2er& word thtco%es $or% the %o#th o$ the LORD0 Yo#rclothes did not wer o#t nd &o#r $eet didnot swell d#rin) these $ort& &ers0 7nowthen in &o#r hert tht s %n disci"lineshis son! so the LORD &o#r ?od disci"lines&o#0

Wht )ret "ict#re $or #s o$ the li$e o$ $ollower o$4es#s The li$e o$ 9hristin is %de #" o$ series o$o""ort#nities to lern to rel& on ?od0 The Isreliteswere not red& to enter the Pro%ised Lnd 'ec#sethe& hd &et not lerned to tr#st ?od0 Hd the "eole o$?od %rched $ro% E)&"t stri)ht into 9nn! the&

wo#ld h2e 'een te%"ted C'e&ond wht the& co#ld'er0 * 9orinthins *=*-G to tr#st in their own "owerto s2e the%sel2es0 Insted! ?od sent the% o#t intothe desert $or $ort& &ers0 The desert wilderness so#tho$ Plestine co#ld ne2er s#""ort the "h&sicl needs o$two %illion "eo"le0 Isrel ws $orced to rel& on ?od $or'oth $ood nd wter0

The %ess)e to those #nder the New 9o2ennt

is cler0 I$ we $eel we h2e Crri2ed $ter 'ein) s2ed'& the 'lood o$ 4es#s! we re $oolin) o#rsel2es0 We%#st constntl& 'e trined to rel& on ?od $or o#rs"irit#l $ood nd wter or we will ne2er enter o#rs"irit#l Pro%ised Lnd he2en0

One cn i%)ine tht t ;rst! the "eo"le o$ Isrel


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Pre;)#res o$ the Messih/8were ;red #" to 'e led '& the "illr o$ ;re in the desert0

The& were %6ed nd enco#r)ed to recei2e their$ood o#t o$ the s3& in the $or% o$ %nn nd their

wter o#t o$ roc30 Lter on! howe2er! ll these'lessin)s see%ed 5#st li3e nor%l e2er&d& thin)s ndthe "eo"le lon)ed to ret#rn to E)&"t0 CI$ onl& we hd%et to et We re%e%'er the ;sh we te in E)&"t tno costlso the c#c#%'ers! %elons! lee3s! onions nd)rlic0 B#t now we h2e lost o#r ""etiteJ we ne2er seen&thin) '#t this %nn Eod#s **/>G0 Did the&$or)et tht the& were sl2es in E)&"t The $ood ws$ree0 Tht is tr#e0 It ws $ree 'ec#se the& weresl2es nd hd no %one& Did the& $or)et tht the&wor3ed twel2e or $o#rteen ho#r d&s! se2en d&s wee3 Did the& $or)et tht Phroh hd decreed thtll the %le Isrelite children wo#ld 'e sl#)htered

Yes the& did0 Followers o$ 4es#s wo#ld do well tore%e%'er tht Isrel in the desert is the t&"e! '#t we

9hristins re the ntit&"e0 It is rell& ins"irin) to seeso%e o$ the t&"es nd ntit&"es in the Old nd New

Test%ents! '#t when the ntit&"e is &o#rsel$! tht is )ood reson to "& ttention0 As with the%! so with #si$ we do not t3e the wrnin) oered '& this %6in)stor&0 We %#st rel& on ?od! not sel$ to %3e it tohe2en! nd we %#st contin#e to ""recite the dil&'lessin)s we h2e $ro% 'ein) in reltionshi" with

?od0This is the %ess)e o$ He'rews -*//:

indeed! it is the %ess)e o$ the entire 'oo3 o$He'rewsG

We h2e co%e to shre in 9hrist i$ we hold;r%l& till the end the con;dence we hd t

;rst0 As hs 5#st 'een sid

CTod&! i$ &o# her his 2oice!do not hrden &o#r hertss &o# did in the re'ellion0

Who were the& who herd nd


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re'elled Were the& not ll those Mosesled o#t o$ E)&"t And with who% ws hen)r& $or $ort& &ers Ws it not with

those who sinned! whose 'odies $ell in thedesert And to who% did ?od swer thtthe& wo#ld ne2er enter his rest i$ not tothose who diso'e&ed So we see tht the&were not 'le to enter! 'ec#se o$ their#n'elie$0 There$ore! since the "ro%ise o$enterin) his rest still stnds! let #s 'ecre$#l tht none o$ &o# 'e $o#nd to h2e

$llen short o$ it0 For we lso h2e hd the)os"el "reched to #s! 5#st s the& didJ '#tthe %ess)e the& hered ws o$ no 2l#eto the%! 'ec#se those who herd did notco%'ine it with $ith0

Re%e%'er! those Cwhose 'odies $ell in the desert rethose who 'eco%e disci"les! recei2e the Hol& S"irit!'#t lter t#rn 'c30 The& ne2er enter the Pro%isedLnd0 The& ne2er enter he2en0 It co#ld h""en ton&one who does not "& ttention to the %ess)e

One o$ the %ost co%%on techin)s in the9hristin world is tht once "erson is s2ed '& the'lood o$ 4es#s! it is i%"ossi'le $or tht "erson to losetheir sl2tion0 This doctrine is so%eti%es clled Conce

s2ed! lw&s s2ed0 #ite "rt $ro% the $ct thtthis techin) is re$#ted '& do6ens o$ "ss)esthro#)ho#t the New Test%ent! the t&"e set #" '& ?od%3es it cr&stl cler tht once so%eone enters the$reedo% i%"lied in reltionshi" with ?od thro#)hle2in) sl2er& to sin E)&"tG! it is entirel& "ossi'le tolose tht sl2tionto ;)#rti2el& ret#rn to E)&"t0Le2in) E)&"t does not necessril& i%"l& enterin) the

Pro%ised Lnd0 Si%ilrl&! le2in) the li$e o$ sin doesnot %en tht "erson cnnot ret#rn to it! there'&losin) their o""ort#nit& to enter the Pro%ised Lnd!he2en.0

Wht does $ollower o$ 4es#s need to s#stin

> For e%"le! He'rews >/*:! He'rews *=:>-*! -8-+


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Pre;)#res o$ the Messih/,hi% or her in their wl3 with ?od Let #s loo3 t thet&"ewnderin) in the wildernessto ;nd the nswer0Isrel needed $ood nd wter0 ?od "ro2ided $ood in the

$or% o$ %nn0 B& now! the reder will not 'es#r"rised tht the %nn ws $oreshdow s well0

The c#rio#s $ollowers o$ 4es#s s3ed hi%

C-:-8G0

Mnn is the t&"e! nd 4es#s is the ntit&"e0 For the9hristin! 4es#s is s"irit#l $ood0 In $ct! s with Isrelin the wilderness $or who% %nn ws ll the& hd toet! 4es#s is o#r onl& s"irit#l $ood0 This conce"t ises& to #nderstnd '#t 2er& hrd to "#t into "rctice09hristins! li3e the Isrelites re sorel& te%"ted e2er&d& to $or)et where their s"irit#l $ood co%es $ro%0

4es#s ws 'sol#tel& ri)ht in re%indin) the 4ewstht Moses did not )i2e the% 'red0 It $ell o#t o$ thes3& while Moses ws slee" Howe2er! ?od did #seMoses s his )ent to cll $orth wter $or the "eo"le o#to$ roc30


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So the& #rreled with Moses nd sid!C?i2e #s wter to drin30

Then Moses cried o#t to the Lord!

CWht % I to do with these "eo"le The&re l%ost red& to stone %e0The Lord nswered Moses! CWl3 on

hed o$ the "eo"le0 T3e with &o# so%eo$ the elders o$ Isrel nd t3e in &o#r hndthe st with which &o# str#c3 the Nile!nd )o0 I will stnd there 'e$ore &o# '& theroc3 t Hore'0 Stri3e the roc3! nd wter

will co%e o#t o$ it $or the "eo"le to drin30Eod#s *,:!/!8G0

The wters t Meri'h re the t&"e! '#t wht is thentit&"e in this cse It is the Hol& S"irit which ?od"o#rs o#t on ll those who 'elie2e0 As 4es#s sid!

CI$ %n is thirst&! let hi% co%e to%e nd drin30 Whoe2er 'elie2es in %e! sthe Scri"t#re hs sid! stre%s o$ li2in)wter will Qow $ro% within hi%0 B& this he%ent the S"irit! who% those who 'elie2edin hi% were lter to recei2e0 U" to thtti%e the S"irit hd not 'een )i2en! since

4es#s hd not &et 'een )lori;ed0 4ohn

,-,-+G

While wnderin) in the wilderness! the He'rew "eo"lehd ll their "h&sicl needs "ro2ided directl& '& ?od0For those who h2e 'een clled o#t o$ their old li$e '&

4es#s to wl3 in the Cwilderness with hi%! ll theirs"irit#l needs re %et '& ?od in 4es#s 9hrist nd inthe Hol& S"irit! o#r s"irit#l $ood nd drin30 The

chllen)e! o$ co#rse! is to not lose si)ht o$ this $ct ndto ct on it on dil& 'sis0 Un$ort#ntel&! theIsrelites did not do this nd %n& o$ the% $ell in thewilderness0 M& it not 'e so with #s

%%% Entering the /romised !and-


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Pre;)#res o$ the Messih/+

A$ter the& hd wndered in the desert $or $ort&&ers! ?od hd ;nll& rised #" "eo"le who were

%ore or less $ith$#l nd tr#stin) in hi%0 At lst! the&were red& to enter the Pro%ised Lnd This ws the$#l;ll%ent o$ the "ro%ise to A'rh%! %de o2er $o#rh#ndred &ers 'e$ore0

The Lord sid to A'r% $ter Lot hd"rted $ro% hi%! CLi$t #" &o#r e&es $ro%where &o# re nd loo3 north nd so#th!est nd west0 All the lnd tht &o# see Iwill )i2e to &o# nd &o#r os"rin) $ore2er0?enesis */!*8G

Enterin) the Pro%ised Lnd re"resented 2ictor& to?odKs "eo"le0 This ws the #lti%te0 The Pro%isedLnd9nnws "rett& )ood0 In $ct it ws

weso%e0

For the Lord &o#r ?od is 'rin)in) &o#into )ood lnd lnd with stre%s nd"ools o$ wter! with s"rin)s Qowin) in the2lle&s nd hillsJ lnd with whet nd'rle&! 2ines nd ;) trees! "o%e)rntes!oli2e oil nd hone&J lnd where 'reed

will not 'e scrce nd &o# will lc3 nothin)J lnd where the roc3s re iron nd &o#cn di) co""er o#t o$ thehills0De#terono%& .>+G

The t&"e ws "rett& )ood! '#t the ntit&"e is$r 'etter0 ?od "ro%ised Isrel tht he wo#ld "ro2ide

$or the% ll the& needed in the Pro%ised Lnd0Howe2er! 9nn ws onl& $oreshdow o$ so%ethin)$r )reter0 The "h&sicl Pro%ised Lnd o$ Isrel is $oreshdow o$ the s"irit#l "ro%ised lnd He2en0

?odKs )ol $or Isrel ws to dwell in the lndtoe"erience 'lessed nd $#l;lled li$e in $ellowshi" withhi%0 Tht is wht the Pro%ised Lnd ws ll 'o#t0


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And tht is wht he2en is ll 'o#t0 As 4es#s sid

CDo not let &o#r herts 'e tro#'led0

Tr#st in ?odJ tr#st lso in %e0 In %&$therKs ho#se re %n& roo%sJ i$ it werenot so! I wo#ld h2e told &o#0 I % )oin)there to "re"re "lce $or &o#0 And i$ I )ond "re"re "lce $or &o#! I will co%e'c3 nd t3e &o# to 'e with %e tht &o#lso %& 'e where I %0 4ohn */*-G

The Pro%ised Lnd ws "lce to e"erience the'lessin)s o$ ?od0 It ws "lce to rest! sec#re in?odKs r%s0 Tht is wht he2en will 'e $or those whoenter the #lti%te Pro%ised Lnd0 Howe2er! ?odwnts to re%ind #s one %ore ti%e! tht we %#st %3ee2er& eort to enter tht rest0

It still re%ins tht so%e will entertht rest! nd those who $or%erl& hd the)os"el "reched to the% did not )o in!'ec#se o$ their diso'edience0 There$ore?od )in set certin d&! cllin) it

Tod&! when lon) ti%e lter he s"o3ethro#)h D2id! s ws sid 'e$ore

CTod& i$ &o# her his 2oice!do not hrder &o# herts0

For i$ 4osh# hd )i2en the% rest! ?odwo#d not h2e s"o3en lter 'o#t notherd&0 There re%ins! then S''threst $orthe "eo"le o$ ?odJ $or n&one who enters?odKs rest lso rests $ro% his own wor3!

5#st s ?od did $ro% his0 Let #s! there$ore!%3e e2er& eort to enter tht rest! so thtno one will $ll '& $ollowin) their e%"leo$ diso'edience0 He'rews />**G

The "eo"le o$ ?od clerl& co#ld not enter 9nn on


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Pre;)#res o$ the Messih8*their own "ower! s we cnnot )et to he2en '& o#rown stren)th0 Ne2ertheless! ?od wnts #s to %3ee2er& eort on o#r own "rt to hold $st to hi% so tht

we will not $ll in the desert0 O#r eort is ne2ereno#)h to enter he2en! '#t it is lw&s re#ired0

?od #sed Moses to led the "eo"le ri)ht #" tothe 2er)e o$ 9nn0 Howe2er! ?od ws not donetechin) his "eo"le 'o#t rel&in) on hi%0 The "eo"leo$ ?od were ri)ht on the 'order o$ the Pro%ised Lnd!'#t there ws the %tter o$ little ri2er


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tht ?odKs "eo"le entered the Pro%ised Lnd thro#)hwter

The t&"e is the Pro%ised Lnd0 The ntit&"e is

he2en0 We cn lern $ro% the t&"e tht he2en is "lce where we cn li2e in $ellowshi" with ?od0 It is?odKs )ol to %3e #s into his "eo"le so tht we cndwell with hi%0 Fro% the $oreshdow we see ththe2en is "lce where we will 'e 'lessed 'e&ond o#rwildest dre%s0 9nn re"resents he2en ndhe2en is "lce where we will 'e 'le to rest with o#r?od $ro% o#r l'ors0

%N 'ANAAN0 A M%+ED &1M"O!-

Once ?odKs "eo"le entered the Pro%ised Lnd!the t&"e chn)ed0 There$ore the ntit&"e chn)ed swell0 U" #ntil the ti%e ?odKs "eo"le entered 9nn!?od ws #sin) it s s&%'ol o$ o#r S''threst withhi% in he2en0 Once the "eo"le ct#ll& entered thelnd #nder 4osh#! the t&"e 'ein) in PlestineG nolon)er ;t the ntit&"e 'ein) in he2enG0 Altho#)h9nn ws tr#l& "lce Qowin) with %il3 nd hone&!it ws no c3e wl3 $or Isrel to con#er nd occ#"&the lnd0 Fro% the 'e)innin) o$ the 'oo3 o$ 4osh# onthro#)ho#t the rest o$ the historicl 'oo3s o$ theBi'leli2in) in the Pro%ised Lnd 'eco%es t&"e! not

o$ he2en! '#t o$ the ch#rch the 7in)do% o$ ?od01

Wewill see #ite 'it %ore on this in $#t#re ch"ter0IsrelKs 'ttles with its nei)h'ors will 'eco%e s&%'olo$ o#r 'ttle with sins0 IsrelKs 3in)s will 'eco%e s&%'ol o$ the 3in) in he2en 4es#s 9hrist0

Bec#se the s&%'olis% ttched to 9nnchn)es! de"endin) on where it $lls historicll& in the

,It is co%%on to ss#%e tht the 9h#rch o$ 4es#s 9hrist onthe erth is the 7in)do% o$ ?od0 In $ct the 7in)do% o$ ?od is $r )reter conce"t! which t3es in %#ch %ore thn the ch#rch0

The 3in)do% is ?od rei)nin) in n indi2id#lKs hert0 The 3in)do%o$ ?od is he2en0 The 7in)do% o$ ?od is the ch#rch0 To "#t it in $or% which is "erh"s 'it too si%"le the ch#rch is "rt o$ the7in)do% o$ ?od! '#t the 7in)do% is so%ethin) $r )reter0 Thiswill 'e disc#ssed in %ore detil in ch"ter nine0


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Pre;)#res o$ the Messih8-Bi'le! it is es& to 'eco%e con$#sed0 In order to hel"3ee" thin)s stri)ht it is hel"$#l to thin3 o$ thePro%ised Lnd s s&%'ol o$ he2en in the Pentte#ch

the ;rst ;2e 'oo3s o$ the Old Test%entG! '#t to thin3o$ Isrel in 9nn s s&%'ol o$ the 3in)do% o$ ?odnd o#r "ersonl reltionshi" with ?od $ro% the 'oo3o$ 4osh# on thro#)h the rest o$ the Bi'le0

With this in %ind! it 'eco%es esier to %3esense o$ the s&%'olis% o$ the crossin) o$ the 4ordnRi2er0 As Isrel ws '"ti6ed into Moses when the&"ssed thro#)h the wters o$ the Red Se! so the& were'"ti6ed into 4osh# when the& "ssed thro#)h thewters o$ the 4ordn0 It is tr#e tht this is ne2erct#ll& s"eci;cll& stted in the New Test%ent! '#tthe s&%'oli% is $irl& o'2io#s0

I$ one is not co%"letel& con2inced o$ this cli%!wht ?od co%%nded Isrel to do i%%editel& #"on"ssin) thro#)h the 4ordn will %3e it %ore cler0

At tht ti%e the Lord sid to 4osh#!CM3e Qint 3ni2es nd circ#%cise theIsrelites )in0 So 4osh# %de Qint3ni2es nd circ#%cised the Isrelites t?i'eth Hrloth0 4osh# 8:!-G

Altho#)h ?od hd co%%nded e2er& Isrelite

%le to 'e circ#%cised on the ei)hth d&! $or the $ort&&ers o$ wnderin) in the wilderness! the 4ews hd notcirc#%cised their %le children0 Wh& is tht ?od %&h2e hd n#%'er o$ resons! '#t it 5#st so h""enstht in doin) so! ?od %de the e2ents t ?i2ethHrloth to 'e t&"e o$ one o$ the i%"ortnt conce"tsin the New Test%ent0

9irc#%cision is t&"e whose ntit&"e is '"tis%0For the %le He'rew child! circ#%cision is wht %dethe% "rt o$ Isrel0 Under the Old 9o2ennt! the 4ewswere 'orn into reltionshi" with ?od0 For the %leIsrelite! this reltionshi" ws cons#%%ted on theei)hth d& when the child ws circ#%cised0 Under theNew 9o2ennt! one is 'orn )in into the 3in)do% o$


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8/ FROM SHADOW TO REALITY

?od in '"tis%0

In hi% &o# were lso circ#%cised! in

the "#ttin) o o$ the sin$#l nt#re! not with circ#%cision done '& the hnds o$ %en'#t with the circ#%cision done '& 9hrist!h2in) 'een '#ried with hi% in '"tis%nd rised with hi% thro#)h &o#r $ith inthe "ower o$ ?od! who rised hi% $ro% theded0 9olossins :**!*:G

P#l %3es it 2er& cler tht circ#%cision is thet&"e! while '"tis% is the ntit&"e0 B"tis% is s"irit#lcirc#%cision0 9irc#%cision nor%ll&G occ#rs soon $ter'irth! while '"tis% is re'irth0 As 4es#s sid! CI tell&o# the tr#th! #nless %n is 'orn o$ wter nd theS"irit! he cnnot enter the 3in)do% o$ ?od0 4ohn -8G0

This s&%'olis% sends chill #" the s"ine Isrel hdto 'e circ#%cised in order to enter the t&"e! which is9nn! t&"e o$ the 3in)do% o$ ?od0 Those whoco%e to ?od thro#)h 9hrist %#st enter the s"irit#l3in)do% o$ ?od thro#)h the s"irit#l circ#%cision!which is '"tis%0

In order to enter 9nn! ?odKs "eo"le hd to"ss thro#)h wter and the& hd to 'e circ#%cised09o#ld ?od h2e creted %ore cler s&%'olis% thn

he did Wht %3es the e2ent nd its s&%'olis% %ost%6in) is tht when Isrel cted o#t this "l& $or #s!the& hd no ide o$ the si)ni;)nce o$ wht the& weredoin)0 When the writers o$ the Old Test%ent recordedthis histor&! the& too hd no ide how ?od wo#ld t#rnll this into dr%tic re"resenttion o$ how we enter reltionshi" with hi% #nder the New 9o2ennt0

There is %ore "re;)#re to 'e $o#nd in the

entrnce o$ the twel2e tri'es into the Pro%ised Lnd0We h2e lred& seen tht Cs soon s the "riests whocrried the r3 reched the 4ordn nd their $eetto#ched the wterKs ed)e! the wter $ro% #"stre%sto""ed Qowin)0 4osh# -*8G0 It too3 )ret $ith $orthe Le2ites crr&in) the r3 to %rch ri)ht into the ri2er


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Pre;)#res o$ the Messih88t Qood st)e0 The %o%ent the r3 reched the ri2erthe wter sto""ed0 This ws not so%e sort o$ nt#rl"heno%enon which ?od so%ehow #sed to sto" the

Qow o$ the ri2er0 This ws s#"ernt#rl e2ent0 Wewill see in the ch"ter on the T'erncle tht the r3 is t&"e o$ the "resence o$ ?od0 ?od ws showin) Isrelnd #s tht it is onl& his "ower which cn "rt thewters! llowin) #s $reedo% to enter his "resence0 It isthe s%e with the ntit&"e to the wters o$ the 4ordn0CH2in) 'een '#ried with hi% in '"tis% nd risedwith hi% through your faith in the power of 2od0 In'oth the t&"e nd in the ntit&"e! ?od is tellin) #s thtonl& thro#)h his "ower nd o#r $ith cn we "ssthro#)h the wters into reltionshi" with hi%03

9onsider one %ore "re;)#re in the entr& o$?odKs chosen "eo"le into the Lnd0 Who ws it tht ledthe% into "h&sicl Isrelinto the "resence o$ ?od Itws 4osh#0 As we will see in ch"ter two! 4osh# is

t&"e o$ 9hrist0 The He'rew n%e 4osh# is the Ar%icn%e 4esh#! trnsliterted into ?ree3 s 4es#s0 Is#""ose one co#ld r)#e it is coincidence! '#t )i2en llthe other "rllels 'etween the Old Test%ent nd theNew! one cn detect ?odKs wor3! e2en down to then%es in2ol2ed0 The n%e o$ he who led ?odKs "eo"leinto co2ennt reltionshi" with ?od in the Pro%isedLnd in the Old Test%ent is the s%e s he who leds

?odKs "eo"le into the New 9o2ennt reltionshi" with?od0

In the stor& o$ the entr& o$ Isrel #nder 4osh#into the Pro%ised Lnd the Bi'le hs )i2en$oreshdows o$ the "lce o$ '"tis%! o$ the "ower o$?od nd the wor3 o$ 4es#s in 'rin)in) "eo"le into reltionshi" with hi%0

'A/T%V%T1 AND &A!VAT%ON O (OD2& /EO/!E

.Those who tech tht New Test%ent '"tis% is 5#st s&%'ol o$ so%ethin) which hs lred& h""ened sho#ld t3enote0 ?od see%s to 'e #ite consistent in insistin) tht his "oweris t wor3 in the wter0


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8> FROM SHADOW TO REALITY

There is )ret del o$ t&"e nd ntit&"e $o#ndthro#)ho#t the "eriods o$ the 4#d)es nd o$ the Two7in)do%s0 These will 'e co2ered in other ch"ters0

The lst %5or historicl "re;)#re which we willconsider is the c"ti2it& o$ Isrel in Ass&ri nd B'&lons well s the %6in) w& ?od $reed his "eo"le $ro%c"ti2it& %on)st the )entiles0

The 4ews sho#ld not h2e 'een s#r"rised tht i$the& were to t#rn their 'c3 on ?od! he wo#ld cstthe% )in into c"ti2it& nd sl2er& si%ilr to whtthe& hd e"erienced in E)&"t0 ?od "ro"hesied this to

the% in 2er& cler nd )r"hic ter%s0 In his "rtin)words to the "eo"le! Moses sid to Isrel tht i$ the&were #n$ith$#l to their ?od nd did not o'e& ll hisco%%nds nd decreesJ

The Lord will dri2e &o# nd the 3in)&o# set o2er &o# to ntion #n3nown to&o# or &o#r $thers0 There &o# will worshi"other )ods! )ods o$ wood nd stone0 Yo#will 'eco%e thin) o$ horror nd n o'5ecto$ scorn nd ridic#le to ll ntions wherethe Lord will dri2e &o#


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Pre;)#res o$ the Messih8,

The& t#rned side $ro% the co%%nds in the Lw o$Moses! t#rnin) to the idols o$ their ")n nei)h'ors0Re"etedl&! ?od tried to s2e the% $ro% 'ein) Clost

'& sendin) 3in)s nd 5#d)es to Cs2e the%0 Besidesthis! he sent "rechers o$ ri)hteo#sness "ro"hetss#ch s Eli5h! Isih! 4ere%ih nd %n& others0Un$ort#ntel&! des"ite ?odKs re"eted lo2in) cll $or his"eo"le to ret#rn to hi%! the )ret %5orit& o$ Isrel'ec%e hrdened to their sin0

Soon $ter the deth o$ Solo%on! 7in) D2idKsson! the 3in)do% ws di2ided '& the re'ellion o$

4ere'o%0 The Northern 7in)do%! or S%ri! wsetre%el& idoltro#s $ro% the 'e)innin)0 The&worshi""ed t the Asherh "oles0 The& set #" shrinesto Bl0 The& i)nored the "ledin)s o$ Eli5h ndElishh! so ?od $#l;lled his words to the%0 S%ri!the c"itl o$ the Northern 7in)do%! ws destro&ed '&the Ass&rin r%ies #nder Senncheri' In ,:: B9E0 O$

those not 3illed in the conQict! the %5orit& werede"orted s sl2es nd scttered thro#)ho#t theAss&rin E%"ire0 Isrel ws 'c3 in sl2er&0

The So#thern 7in)do%! 4#dh! ws %ore $ith$#l!t lest o#twrdl&0 The te%"le ws in 4er#sle%! thec"itl o$ 4#dh0 With ti%e! howe2er! e2en 4#dh'ec%e corr#"t! t#rnin) to idoltr& nd e2er& $or% o$"ride$#l re'ellion )inst ?od0 Tr#e to his word in

De#terono%& nd %n& other wrnin)s! ?od sentNe'#chdne66r! 3in) o$ B'&lon to de2o#r nddestro& 4#dh0 A$ter re"eted ttc3s ndde"orttions! 4er#sle% ws ;nll& c"t#red! '#rnednd its wll destro&ed in 8.> B9E0 A)in! tho#sndswere de"orted into sl2er& on B'&lon nd other citieso$ the e%"ire0 At the s%e ti%e! %ost si)ni;cntl&!

the te%"le ws destro&ed nd scri;ce $or sin in4er#sle% t the te%"le c%e to n end0 ?od ws nolon)er dwellin) with his "eo"le0

Wht horri'le $oreshdow to conte%"lteWht is ?odKs %ess)e in this t#rn o$ e2ents To the

4ews! o$ co#rse! the %ess)e is tht ?od htes sin ndre'ellion0 In this cse! the t&"e is the ret#rn to sl2er&


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8. FROM SHADOW TO REALITY

o$ Isrel0 The ntit&"e is n&one who t3es on 4es#s9hrist s Lord! enterin) reltionshi" with ?od0 The%ess)e is tht once we co%e into reltionshi" with

?od thro#)h 4es#s 9hrist! i$ we t#rn 'c3 to o#r oldw&s! ?od will ret#rn #s to the s%e sl2er& we c%e$ro%0 In $ct! i$ the t&"e is cc#rte! the secondsl2er& is worse thn the ;rst0 ?od #sed the li2es o$tens o$ tho#snds o$ 4ews t the ti%e o$ Senncheri'nd Ne'#chdne66r to tech #s lesson0 M& thtlesson not )o #nlerned The words o$ Peter descri'ethe ntit&"e

I$ the& h2e esc"ed the corr#"tiono$ the world '& 3nowin) o#r Lord ndS2ior 4es#s 9hrist nd re )in entn)ledin it nd o2erco%e! the& re worse o tthe end thn the& were t the 'e)innin)0 Itwo#ld h2e 'een 'etter $or the% not toh2e 3nown the w& o$ ri)hteo#sness! thnto h2e 3nown it nd then to t#rn their'c3s on the scred co%%nd%ent thtws "ssed on to the%0 O$ the% the"ro2er's re tr#e CA do) ret#rns to its2o%it! nd! CA sow tht is wshed )oes'c3 to her wllowin) in the %#d0 : Peter::=::G

Re%e%'er the words o$ P#l! CNow these thin)socc#rred s e%"les! to 3ee" #s $ro% settin) o#rherts on e2il thin)s s the& did0 * 9orinthins *=>G0A%idst the etre%el& so'er %ess)e! let #s 'e s#re to)et the lesson o$ the t&"e nd the ntit&"e clerl&0 It isnot s i$ Isrel sinned once nd 'oo% O to c"ti2it&0It is not s i$ we need to li2e in dil& %ortl $er o$

losin) o#r sl2tion0 The New Test%ent ss#res #s!nd the $oreshdowin) in the Old Test%entde%onstrtes to #s tht s lon) s we re%in $ith$#l!?od will not "#t #s w& $ro% his "resence $or %inoroense0 In $ct e2en %5or oense will not send #s'c3 onto c"ti2it& to sin0 ?od ""eled to Isrel ti%e


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Pre;)#res o$ the Messih8+nd ti%e )in0 He sent %essen)ers into their li2es!he )2e the% second chnces! he listened to theirdeth'ed re"entnces! nd still he withheld his

5#d)%ent0 He will do the s%e with those #nder theNew 9o2ennt0 Howe2er! ?odKs )rce is not witho#tli%it when we t#rn o#r 'c3 on hi%0 The destr#ction o$S%ri nd 4er#sle% re str3 re%inders o$ tht $ct0

The destr#ction nd de"orttion o$ Isrel nd4#dh re not #ni#e e%"les in histor&0 Mn&ncient "eo"les e"erienced s#ch thin)0 Therestortion o$ Isrel to the Pro%ised Lnd is notherthin) entirel&0 A)in! ?od hd "ro"hesied to his"eo"le l%ost tho#snd &ers 'e$ore these e2ents

When ll these 'lessin)s nd c#rsesI h2e set 'e$ore &o# co%e #"on &o# nd&o# t3e the% to hert where2er the LORD&o# ?od dis"erses &o# %on) the ntions!

nd when &o# nd &o#r children ret#rn tothe LORD &o# ?od nd o'e& hi% with ll&o#r hert nd with ll &o# so#l ccordin)to e2er&thin) I co%%nd &o# tod&! thenthe LORD &o#r ?od will restore &o#r$ort#nes nd h2e co%"ssion on &o# nd)ther &o# )in $ro% ll the ntionswhere he scttered &o#0 E2en i$ &o# h2e

'een 'nished to the %ost distnt lnd#nder the he2ens! $ro% there the LORD&o#r ?od wil )ther &o# nd 'rin) &o#'c30 He will 'rin) &o# to the lnd tht'elon)ed to &o#r $thers! nd &o# will t3e"ossession o$ it0 De#terono%& -=*8G0

When ?od "ro"oses! he lso dis"oses0 A$ter se2ent&&ers o$ c"ti2it&! s "ro"hesied '& 4ere%ih 4ere%ih:8.*:G! ?od #sed 9&r#s the Persin to destro& theB'&lonin E%"ire0 When 9&r#s hd ;nished oB'&lon! he )2e "er%ission $or the c"ti2es o$ Isrelto ret#rn to 4er#sle% to re'#ild the te%"le nd toreest'lish worshi" there0 E6r ch"ters one nd two


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>= FROM SHADOW TO REALITY

record the decree o$ 9&r#s nd the list o$ eiles whoret#rned to re"o"#lte 4er#sle% nd reest'lish the"riestl& scri;ce0 There is 2irt#ll& no "rllel in

histor& o$ con#erin) "ower llowin) $or%erl&dis"ossessed "eo"le to tr2el )ret distnces to restoretheir ntionl identit& nd reli)ion0

Wht does the historicl restortion o$ Isrel tothe Pro%ised Lnd tell #s We cn lern $ro% this thtthe Old Test%ent is ins"ired '& ?od nd tht ?odr#les the ntions0 ?od co#ld c#se Moses to "ro"hec&the restortion o$ Isrel when the& re"ented l%ost one

tho#snd &ers 'e$ore it h""ened nd he co#ld rise#" 9&r#s nd "#t it on his hert to send the Isrelites'c3 to their ho%elnd0

There is nother lesson here s well0 In thiscse! Isrel nd its reltionshi" with ?od is the t&"e!while indi2id#l 9hristins in their reltionshi" with ?odre the ntit&"e0 The c"ti2it& o$ Isrel #nder Ass&rind B'&lon tells #s tht it is "ossi'le to h2e ?odwithdrw his 'lessin)! '#t the %irc#lo#s ret#rn o$ the

4ews scttered cross the B'&lonin E%"ire showstht ?od will do n&thin) to )et #s 'c30 I$ we le2e?od! he will let #s )o0 We cn lose o#r close $ellowshi"with ?od0 Howe2er! we cn co%e 'c30 This re%indsone o$ the "r'le o$ the lost shee"0

Wht do &o# thin3 I$ %n owns h#ndred shee"! nd one o$ the% wndersw&! will he not le2e the ninet&nine onthe hills nd )o to loo3 $or the one thtwndered o And i$ he ;nds it! I tell &o#the tr#th! he is h""ier 'o#t tht oneshee" thn 'o#t the ninet&nine tht didnot wnder o0 In the s%e w& &o#r

Fther in he2en is not willin) tht n& o$these little ones sho#ld 'e lost0 Mtthew*.*:!*-G

I$ ?od wo#ld )o thro#)h ll the tro#'le to set #" "ro"hetic s&%'ol o$ his willin)ness to t3e #s 'c3i$


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Pre;)#res o$ the Messih>*?od wo#ld t3e re"entnt Isrel 'c3 $ter the& hdt#rned $ro% hi% to )ross idoltr& nd e2er& other 3indo$ sin! then s#rel& we sho#ld not )i2e #" on n&one

who hs le$t ?od0

'ON'!*&%ON

Mn& theolo)ins nd critics o$ the Bi'le o2erthe &ers h2e

shadow to reality 1

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