An Explanation Of The Foreshadowing Of Christ

By Mark Thompson


The old and new testament has a relationship that relates the life of Christ. Some of the statements and events found in the Old Testament are forecasts of the life that the Messiah would live. Here is an explanation of the foreshadowing of Christ to consider.

The death of Abel. The book of Genesis, Abel who was a shepherd used to offer a burnt sacrifice to God together with his brother Cain. God was pleased with the offerings of Abel and is documented as a sweet fragrance to God. The fact that Abel was a shepherd signifies the role of Jesus in the New Testament. Also, his death suggests the death which the Messiah died for sinners.

The sacrificing of Isaac. Isaac was the only kid that Abraham had. This is similar to the explanation of Christ which he is considered as the only Child of God. Besides that, Isaac was supposed to be sacrificed just as Jesus died for the sinners. God took three days before He offered them a sacrificial lamb. It also took three days before Jesus raised from the dead making this a perfect prefigure.

Prophecy of the birth of Jesus Christ. There are a lot of prophecies that explains the birth of Jesus. To start with, God tells Jacob that He will bless his nation through his offspring. Jesus is born along the Genealogy of Jacob and this statement was meant to describe Him. Also, David is promised that his offspring will have an everlasting kingdom which signifies Jesus in the book of Mathew.

The life ministry of Jesus. There are a few aspects explaining the foreshadowing of Jesus ministry. To start with, sacrifices made during the Old Testament era were supposed to be free from blemish which is the same explanation given about Jesus in Hebrews. He is described as a person who is free from mortal sins and from this we become righteous.

The story of Moses and the bronze snake. The Israelite were attacked by snakes due to the wrath of God due to their wickedness. Even so, He instructed Moses to make a bronze snake and hang it at a place where every bitten member could look at to become healed. This implies that Christ adopted our sinful nature which is symbolized by the snake. At the same time, He is the redeemer of our sins hence the use of a bronze snake for healing.

The event of David and king Darrius. The Israelite were in captive of the Babylonians and Daniel was a prophet during the reign of king Darrius. Darius agreed on a decree which would prevent everyone from praying but Daniel could not take heed of this. As a result, he was prosecuted by being held in a den of lions. This is similar to the situation that Pontius Pilate had when he was forced to prosecute Jesus against his will.

The similitude of the life of Elijah and Elisha. Elijah fed one hundred people with twenty loves which indicate the feeding of a multitude of five thousand people done by the Messiah. Elisha is documented to have raised a young boy which is similar to Jesus and healing the sick as well.




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