The Old Testament Witness to Christ and His Kingdom, Student Workbook, SW09

/ 1 4 9

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

self-knowledge, was reconciled to his kinsman and received back into fellowship, and was acknowledged to be the savior of his people and their ruler. Joshua, the captain of the Lord’s armies, is an OT character type of Christ whose spiritual warfare resonates withMessiah’s role as the warrior of God. In numerous ways, the events and happenings of Joshua’s life connect with the Messiah’s life. Joshua’s name resonates with Jesus’ name (Joshua=Jehovah is salvation; Jesus=Jehovah saves), and he alone was chosen by God to lead the people into the Promised Land. He possessed an absolute commitment to utterly destroy God’s enemies in Canaan, and was accompanied by a special manifestation of the presence of the Lord throughout his fight with God’s enemies. Like the Messiah, Joshua subordinated himself to the leading of God, dying to his own will, his warfare was rooted in his relationship with Yahweh, leading God’s people personally into battle, fighting alongside them in combat against God’s enemies. Joshua won complete victory, dividing the spoils among those who fought beside him in the battle. While the character role of prophet, priest, and king, and the special character types of Adam, Joseph, and Joshua are tremendously helpful in providing our OT witness to Christ, they give comprehensive not exhaustive pictures of the life and ministry of Christ. Only by linking the prefiguring in the OT to the revelation of Christ in the NT do we get the fullest picture and meaning of these roles and types together in the life and ministry of Jesus. Now is the time for you to discuss with your fellow students your questions about the nature of character types and your own study of them. Again, what we are seeking here is candid self-assessment on whether or not you have actually applied this knowledge or skill within your own walk and life. Try to unearth your particular questions in light of the material you have just studied, and use the questions below to “prime the pump” for your own issues and concerns. * What is your theological comprehension of Jesus’ roles as prophet, priest, and king? Have you ever studied the lives of Moses, Melchizedek, or David in light of how they might make more plain for you the person and work of Christ? Explain.

3

Student Application and Implications