The Old Testament Witness to Christ and His Kingdom, Mentor's Guide, MG09

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T H E O L D T E S T A M E N T W I T N E S S T O C H R I S T A N D H I S K I N G D O M

In this lesson we have seen the power of typological and analogical study of the OT, and how it can enhance our understanding of the life and ministry of Christ presented in the NT. We considered three biblical type scenes which help us understand the OT essentially as a witness to Christ and his kingdom reign, that is the Exodus, the conquest of Canaan and entering into the Promised Land, and the restoration of Israel from the Babylonian Captivity. We also looked at how the OT provides a comprehensive witness to Christ and his Kingdom in the OT sacrificial system. Jesus is the substance and fulfillment of the Tabernacle, the Levitical priesthood, the sacrifices, and the feasts and festivals. All of these institutions, offices, and events prefigure the person and work of Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of God’s promise for Messiah. In our next lesson we will explore further aspects of OT story and narrative, character types, and how many point toward and illustrate the work of Jesus in the NT. We will look at the offices of the prophet, priest, and king in OT history, and see how the most significant characters in each role all serve as a type of Christ: Moses as a type of the prophetic role, Melchizedek as a type of Christ in his priestly order, and David as a type of Christ in his role as King of God’s people. We will also explore the issue of special character types , which deserve special mention because of their significance in understanding Christ’s role as head of humanity, redeemer of his kinsmen, and warrior in God’s conquest. These characters represent the persons of Adam, Joseph, and Joshua. A survey of their lives reveals a deep linkage between their journeys and the life and ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ, making God’s promise for redemption and restoration personal and visible for all to see.

Looking Forward to the Next Lesson

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