08. The Typical Principle

CHAPTER EIGHT The Typical Principle a. Definition – A type is a divinely appointed illustration of some scriptural truth.

1. Reasons neglecting the study of types.

(a) Called fanciful because of ignorance.

Sir Robert Anderson said, "The typology of the Old Testament is the very alphabet of the language in which the doctrine of the New Testament is written; as many of our great theologians are admittedly ignorant of typology, we need not feel surprised if they are not always the safest exponents of the doctrines."

(b) It is called uninteresting because difficult. This is pure laziness. The study of types takes time, work, prayer, and sweat.

2. Reason for studying types.

Colossians 2:17 – "Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ." You can never have a shadow without a body to cast that shadow. In the Old Testament you have the shadow preceding Christ, and in the New Testament you meet with the body which cast the shadow.

Types are pictures or object lessons by which God taught His people concerning His grace and saving power. b. The type in scripture. Our English word "type" is derived from the Greek word, "tupos," which occurs sixteen times in the New Testament. It is translated twice, "print" (John 20:25 ) ; twice, "figure" (Acts 7:43; Romans 5:14) ; twice, "pattern" (Titus 2:7; Hebrews 8:5); once, "fashion" (Acts 7:44); once, "manner" (Acts 23:25); once, "form" (Romans 6:17) ; and seven times, "example" (1 Corinthians 10:6; 1 Corinthians 10:11 : Phi!. 3:17: 1 Thessalonians 1:7; 2 Thessalonians 3:9 : 1 Timothy 4:12; 1 Peter 5:3). The Greek word is very striking and has many shades of meaning. The original significance is the effect of a blow, an impression or stamp, mark, pattern, form, or mould. c. Classification of types.

1. A person – One whose life illustrates some great principle or truth of redemption.

Romans 5:14 – Adam.

Hebrews 5:6 – Melchizedek.

Hebrews 7:11 – Aaron.

Galatians 4:28 – Isaac.

There are many others such as Sarah, Jonah, Joseph, etc.

2. An event –

1 Corinthians 10:11 – experiences of Israel.

Deliverance from Egyptian bondage. The wilderness journey. The conquest of Canaan.

3. A thing.

Veil of the tabernacle – Hebrews 10:20.

Brazen serpent – Numbers 21.

4. Ritual types. This includes the offerings, the priesthood, the tabernacle and its furniture, and the passover. d. Interpretation of types. A true type, to be such in reality, must be:

1. A true picture of the person or thing it represents or prefigures.

2. Of divine appointment.

3. A picture which prefigures something future. A type must never be used to teach a doctrine, but only to illustrate a doctrine elsewhere explicitly taught – John 3:14; 1 Corinthians 5:7. e. How to use types in Bible study.

1. The Passover Lamb –1 Corinthians 5:7. This is typical of Christ and it is divinely authorized. This takes us back to Exodus 12. It is a moat remarkable chapter and contains one of the most astounding types of the Bible. Israel is in Egypt – in bondage. Here we have the judgment on the land, and the deliverance of Israel by Passover Lamb. That night Israel was led out of bondage. From Exodus 12 we go to John 19:36 – " A bone of him shall not be broken. John the Baptist had it revealed to him that Christ was the lamb. No one is ever called the Lamb of God except Christ – John 1:29. God never had in mind any lamb. In spite of the slaying of thousands of lambs, you never read of Passover lambs, but “the Passover Lamb.” On the night of the Passover, there were possibly thousands of lambs slain, but God did not say “Kill them,” but “Kill it.” All divine sacrifices are embodied only in the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Calvary culminates, down to the minutest detail, the slaughter of innumerable lambs.

(a) One thing that stands out in Exodus 12 is the fact that Israel was in bondage – in slavery. Their burdens had become so great that they were almost unbearable – Exodus 2:23. This slavery is typical of the slavery endured by the sinner who is the bond-slave of sin. This bondage is worse than the slavery of the Israelites.

(b) They were in sin. We are inclined to think of these people as martyrs, but they deserved just what they endured. They were not only slaves, but also sinners as well. They were as sinful as the Egyptians; in fact, they were worse than the Egyptians, for they had light that the Egyptians did not have. They had contact with God and had such promised and enlightenment as the Egyptians had never had. Israel was worshipping the Gods of the Egyptians – Ezekiel 20:33-38. Israel was so contaminated, and so headstrong in her idolatry, that God thought to destroy her. This is a picture of man outside of Christ.

(c) They were delivered through the lamb.

It was God’s purpose to bring these people out of Egypt – to deliver them. But, before He could set them free, before they could know the blessing of Jehovah dwelling in their midst, before they could walk with God, the sin question must be taken care of.

God will not associate Himself with sin; God is Holy. It was God’s plan to deliver them after the question of their sin was settled. God settled that question by passing the sentence of death against the first-born in the land of Egypt.

Exodus 11:4-5 – That included the first-born in the Hebrew homes as well as the first-born in the homes of the Egyptians. God brought the judgments against the gods of the Egyptians, and so against those who worshipped the gods.

God singled out in every case, the household’s pride, the first-born, the heir of the family, the one in whom the hopes of the house were centered. This first-born is representative of the family and of the family’s guilt. The whole family is under condemnation, a condemnation that rests upon Jew and Gentile. "All have sinned," and ’The wages of sin is death." That is what Christ received on the cross, the wages of sin. They were wages He had not earned, because He was sinless; but He received them anyway. The condition then, is this: Here is a people, sinful slaves under condemnation. When God said. "1 am come down to deliver them," that is grace.

Moses was not going to deliver them, but was merely an instrument in the hands of God. God was the Deliverer. Another Deliverer came 1900 years ago; Christ, the same "I AM," came down to deliver men – that is grace. God came down, incarnate in Christ, in order that slaves might be delivered. What has been said concerning the people of Israel is true of man today. Romans 3 – There is no difference. All have not committed the same kind or the same number of sins, but all have sinned. There was no difference between Israel and Egypt, but God put a difference between them – there was the lamb between.

(d) Concerning the lamb.

(1) Specifications – Exodus 12:3.

One lamb is always sufficient, and Christ is always sufficient. The lamb must be a perfect specimen, a first-born male, without outer defilement and inner wrong – 1 Peter 1:19; Hebrews 7:26.

(2) The lamb must be slain. A life lamb would not save the first-born in the home.

(3) The blood must be sprinkled on the two sides and above the door. Something must be done with the blood. Some say that if Jesus died for the world, the world must be saved. They forget that the blood must he applied. It takes more than the shedding of blood to save a sinner. There must be a personal appropriation. The blood must be put on the door in the form of a cross.

Blood in the Lamb – Incarnation.

Blood in the basin – Death.

Blood on the door – Application.

Christ living cannot save. "Except the Son of man to be lifted up" – John 3:14.

(4) The lamb must be put into the fire.

It not only had to be slain, but it also had to be roasted as well. There might be some cross-pieces to hold the limbs apart.

Thus the lamb was literally crucified. This gives us a picture of Christ crucified. He was hung before the open fire of God’s wrath, and the flames of God’s wrath enveloped Him.

(5) It must not be eaten raw. The carcass had to endure the fire until the roasting was complete or until the action of the fire was completed. Christ said, "It is finished." He had endured it all. The lamb must not be soaked with water, because water would resist the action of the fire. Nothing was to be done to alleviate the suffering of Christ on the cross.

(6) They were to eat the lamb. The eating of the lamb would strengthen them for their journey. There are Christians today who haven’t fed on the lamb, and so have not strength to get out of the land of Egypt.

(7) What was left must be burned.

If any of the flesh of the lamb was not eaten, it would spoil and decay, and become corrupt. But this lamb is typical of Christ, and anything that savors of corruption must be destroyed.

(e) Concerning the blood. The blood was sprinkled for God. It was for God’s eye, not for the eye of the first-born. The blood spilt on Calvary we have never seen, but God saw it.

(f) Result of the Passover. When the Passover was over, there was death in every home in the land of Egypt. In the homes of the Egyptians it was the death of the first-born. In the homes of the Israelites it was the death of the first-born lamb. There was a first-born dead in every home.

(g) The feast of unleavened bread – Exodus 12:15. This was instituted also. They were to put leaven out of their homes, and for seven days were to eat unleavened bread.

(h) The time of the Passover. The lamb was slain at three o’clock in the afternoon; judgment came at midnight. Between three and midnight there was time for the sprinkling of the blood, but after midnight no blood could be sprinkled; it was too late.

Christ was crucified 1900 years ago. That was at three in the afternoon. There is a midnight of God’s judgment coming, but before that time men must come under the blood, to be saved.

(i) The New Year. In Exodus 12 we read that God changed the calendar of the Israelites. They were at the beginning of the seventh month, but God changed it to the first month. Six is the number of man, failure and sin. Six months had passed, and the seventh had come, and the seventh was to be the new beginning based on the Passover. The old six is blotted out.

2. The Brazen serpent. This is one of the types of the cross which.is pointed out by the Lord. It is as if He did not want us to miss this type – John 3:14-15. This takes us back to Numbers 21. The Israelites were sinful, and were murmuring against God. As judgment, fiery serpents were sent among them. When the people cried to Moses for aid, God instructed Moses to construct a serpent of brass and lift it up on a pole. All that was necessary was to look – "Look and live." It is this case of physical healing in the Old Testament that Christ took as an illustration of spiritual healing in the New Testament. This case of healing in the physical realm is typical of healing in the spiritual realm.

(a) Condition of the people.

Death was among them – "Much people of Israel died." This was caused by the bite of the fiery serpent. There is no man or woman living who has not the poison of the serpent-bite. We are sinners, and under the sentence and shadow of death. The poison of the serpent is the poison of sin.

(b) Remedies and results. In Israel, God gave them the serpent on the pole. It was God’s remedy, not man’s.

(1) Destroying the serpents. When the Israelites began to die they cried to Moses, "Pray to the Lord that He will take away the serpents." That was man’s method, God’s method was to lift up the serpent.

(2) Work for your salvation.

God didn’t say, "Forget all about yourself and go out and help some of the other poor fellows who have been bitten."

(3) Fighting for salvation.

It is not fight that saves, but faith. God did not say, "Go out and fight the serpents."

(4) Bargaining for salvation.

They were not told to make an offering to the serpent.

(5) Looking to the law for salvation.

They were not told to look at Moses. Such people do not recognize – Titus 3:5.

(6) They were not told to look at themselves.

All you see when you look at yourself is a snake-bite. Don’t look at your own wounds, look at His. A victorious life is not to be lived by looking at yourself, but by looking at Christ.

(7) Trusting in reform.

God did not say, "Shake off the snakes." He does not say today, "Quit drinking or dancing."

(8) Looking to God. Do not look to God, but to Christ. Believing there is a God does not make you a Christian.

(9) Looking at the pole.

We are not told to look at the pole, but the serpent on the pole. Look! At what? Not at the pole, not at Moses; not at themselves, but at the serpent.

(c) The serpent was made of brass.

Brass in Scripture is typical of judgment. So the serpent of brass speaks of judgment. Christ was judged in our stead. The serpent on the pole stands for judgment. The anti-type gives us judgment, for Christ on the cross was judged.

(d) It was a serpent. That serpent on the pole was made in the likeness of that which brought death. In other words, Christ blood took upon Himself the form of that which had done the mischief.

(e) It was a serpent in which there was no poison.

There was no sin in Christ. He had no sin, He knew no Sill, He did no sin.

(f) It must be lifted on a pole. The Saviour must be put on a cross. No other execution would do. The Jewish method of execution was stoning; but Christ stoned to death would not save.

(g) The command.

Look and live! Look and be saved! You are not saved because you understand, but because you look. You don’t have to have an education to look. Any fool can look.

(h) The cure. A look at the serpent on the pole brought life. The serpents brought death, but the look brought life. A sinner under condemnation who looks, receives a new life. Sin and Satan are not taken out of the world, but the one who looks has a new life. A simple remedy – look and live.

(i) Reason for failure.

Suppose someone said, "That is foolish to think that a person can be healed that way." If you will not look, you will not live. There are people today who say, "Christ crucified is foolishness." If they will not look, they must die, Sin will not argue; the poison will not argue.

(j) One class could not be healed.

There was one class of people to whom the uplifted serpent was useless. They were those already dead.

3. The Two birds. This is a double type, and had to do with the cleansing of the leper – Lev. 13 and 14:1-7. These two birds are typical of the death and resurrection of Christ, and speak to us in a beautiful way of our salvation through His work.

(a) A leper is typical of a sinner. Leprosy is one of the great types of sin in the Bible.

We have in this thirteenth chapter the thought of leprosy in its beginning. The beginning may be in a very small spot, but it works on and on until finally it touches the whole body of a man. That is the way sin works. The man with just one little sin in his life reveals the fact that he is a sinner just as truly as if he committed ten thousand sins. One little white lie reveals sin just as truly as the committing of a terrible crime.

(b) The leper was a man condemned by the law.

It was God’s command. The sinner is condemned by the law also. There is not a person who has not failed to break – not only one – but all of the commandments in the spirit of the law. Man is condemned by the Law.

(c) When a leper was discovered, he was separated from the people of God, and from the house of God. He was cut off from man and from God; his was a living death.

(d) The leper’s hope was God. The sinner’s hope is God. The leper was considered by Israel to be judicially dead. The sinner is judicially dead in trespasses and sins; he is without life, Apart from Christ there is no physical life, no spiritual life, no judicial life, and no eternal life.

(e) The cleansing of the leper.

(1) Choosing the sacrifice. The priest goes out to where the leper is – the leper can’t come in; so Christ came to the sinner. The priest led the man to living or running water. He must take two birds, and in the taking of the two birds you have the type – the two birds.

(2) Two birds represent the two natures of Christ. He was both man and God; both of the earth and of Heaven. The birds were to be clean. One of the birds was to be killed outside the camp. That was where the Lord Jesus was killed. The bird must be slain before the leper was cleansed, and the bird was slain by the command of God. It was in obedience to the Word of God that Christ went to the cross. The bird was slain in an earthen vessel. God took on humanity for the purpose of death, that He might die for us. The bird was slain over running water, or rather "living" water, fresh from a running stream. So the bird was killed over an earthen vessel, or in an earthen vessel, in which was living water. There were two streams which met, blood and water – just as John saw the blood and water coming from the side of Christ. Water in the Scripture is typical of two things: the Spirit of God, and the Word of God. The Word of God is living and pure, and the Spirit of God is living and pure.

After the first bird has been slain, the living bird is taken and dipped into the blood of the dead bird. The living bird dipped into the blood of the dead bird, was marked with the stains of death. That is typical of resurrection. It is the living bird that bears the marks of death. The Lord came from the tomb bearing the marks of the death of the cross. That living bird with the marks of death, was taken out into the open field and set free to fly up into the heaven. So when the Lord broke the bands of death, He was free. Out in the field when the living bird was set free, it ascended into heaven, and so did Christ.

(3) The cleansing of the leper. The blood of the slain bird was sprinkled on the leper seven times. It was applied with hyssop, a weed that typifies faith.

After sprinkling, the leper is pronounced clean and has a living witness to the fact that he is clean. After an application of Christ’s blood the sinner is clean. The leper then took his place in the camp of Israel. He was like one coming back from the dead. Our salvation is life from the dead.

4. The Red Heifer – Numbers 19.

(a) Every Old Testament sacrifice is typical. This is proven typical in Hebrews 9:13-14. It is typical of the person and work of Christ. It is only found in Numbers, but is given as a perpetual statute – Numbers 19:21.

(b) The sacrifice.

It was to be a red heifer without spot or blemish, which had never worn a yoke. It was delivered to Eleazar outside the camp. One slew it and the blood was sprinkled seven times toward the tabernacle. Then it was burned and the ashes were used, mixed with water, to purify the defiled.

Numbers 19:11-16 – Defilement came by touching the body or bones or grave of a dead body. The body, bones and grave represent the things of death, and death represents sin ("the wages of sin is death").

Sin spreads defilement. This sacrifice is to maintain fellowship with God, rather than to obtain salvation. They had salvation. They had been brought out from Egypt and saved from the Red Sea, yet defilement separated them from God. Whether the act was intentional or not, the defilement separated them from God.

5. Jacob’s ladder – Genesis 28.

(a) The word "ladder" really means stairway.

(b) Jacob is in the land of Luz. He is fleeing because of his fear of Esau and because of his trickery in getting the blessing.

(c) He saw a stairway and angels ascending and descending. There is no other ladder in scripture.

(d) Typical character explained in John 1:45-51.

(e) The ladder reached to God. This indicates the future of Israel; she will return to the land. Jacob is a picture of the nation. They were promised blessing in the land. Jacob is Israel in the past.

(f) Christ is the anti-type.

(1) He is the ladder by which God came down to man. God was on earth 1900 years ago in Christ. If there is no Virgin Birth, then God didn’t come down. If He had a human father there was sin in Him and He needed to be born again, and there was no Saviour.

(2) He is the ladder by which man went up to God.

Christ is a man in heaven. He is in heaven as a man, high priest, intercessor and advocate. The incarnation is perpetual.

(3) It indicates the greatness of the separation between God and man.

Man is here with his head on a stone and God is in heaven. The two are separated by sin. Christ is a white rose in a bed of scarlet poppies.

(4) The ladder indicates a mediator, even as Christ is a Mediator. A mediator must be the friend of both man and God.

(5) The ladder indicates salvation – "I am the way" (I am the ladder). He is the way from man’s sin to God’s glory, from the wrath of God to the love of God.

(g) Jesus could love you from Heaven, but He couldn’t save you from there. The ladder touched earth and Heaven. It was set up first on earth – Virgin Birth; and then it touched Heaven – ascension. We can never enter Heaven in any other way than through His death and resurrection. How do we get up? We mount by faith. Jacob’s experience at the foot of the ladder was the same as that of many at the cross. "Surely the Lord was in this place and I knew it not" – V. 16.

6. Manna – Exodus 16; type inJohn 6:30-58.

(a) The manna itself.

(1) The wilderness food of Israel.

(2) Egypt is behind and Canaan before – they didn’t have it in either place.

(3) It came every morning for forty years. Sabbaths were expected.

(b) Christ is the Anti-type.

(c) Series of comparisons.

(1) Manna came down from heaven; Christ is the bread which cometh down from Heaven.

(2) Manna came from the first heaven by gravitation; Jesus came from the third heaven by incarnation.

(3) Manna is miraculous and mysterious; Jesus is supernatural and mysterious.

(4) The word Manna comes from the word meaning "What is it ?" ( Man-Hu) They used the same word to ask of Jesus, "Who is this?"

(5) They didn’t have to understand the manna; all they had to do was eat. All we have to do is accept Christ; we don’t have to understand.

(6) Meaning of the four descriptive words.

Small – indicates His humiliation.

Round – indicates His Deity – all heavenly bodies are spherical. Roundness is the symbol of eternity.

White – indicates purity. From cradle to cross His path was unsullied.

Sweet – indicates peace and satisfaction that comes through Him.

(7) Manna descended in the dew; dew is typical of the Holy Spirit who brings Christ to the sinner.

(8) We see the Gospel in the manna, though not as easily as in some types. Manna came in the night time; Jesus came in the night of sin in the world to take our place. He suffered from the injustice of man and the justice of God. The making of manna into bread indicates the suffering of Christ on the cross the wrath of God.

(9) Manna had to be gathered and beaten in a mortar, indicating the bruising of Christ.

(10) Manna was exposed to fire; Christ was exposed to the lire of God’s wrath.

(11) Manna lying on the earth was lifted up in a golden vessel and taken into the presence of the Lord – indicating the resurrection. The golden pot indicates deity.

(12) Manna rested on the earth only a little while; the thirty-three years of Christ’s life are brief in the face of eternity.

(13) Manna came then and has never come since: Christ came once and has never come since.

(14) We’ve never seen the manna, and we’ve never seen the Lord with the physical eye.

(15) Manna gave physical life; the Lord brings life to body, soul and spirit.

(16) The thought of man’s appropriation is involved. Man had to go on and get the manna; so we must appropriate Christ.

(17) Manna was a free gift of God, and it couldn’t be bought; Salvation was God’s free gift through Christ.

(18) Manna was provided for all, within the reach of all, but if man didn’t want it, he didn’t have to take it; so, salvation is provided for all, and if man isn’t saved it’s because he doesn’t take it.

(19) God gave manna because He loved the children of Israel. He gave salvation and His Son because He loved us.

(20) The children of Israel murmured: We are filled with murmurings, and complain when we should be rejoicing in Christ.

7. Jonah.

Matthew 12:40 – "For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth."

Dr. John R. Sampey says: "Our Lord referred on two different occasions to the sign of Jonah the prophet (Matthew 12:38-41; Luke 11:29-32; Matthew 16:4). He speaks of Jonah’s experience in the belly of the fish as parallel with His own approaching entombment for three days, and cites the repentance of the Ninevites as a rebuke to the unbelieving men of His own generation. Our Lord thus speaks, both of the physical miracle of the preservation of Jonah in the body of the fish, and of the moral miracle of repentance of the Ninevites, and without the slightest hint that he regarded the story as an allegory." J. Kennedy well says that if the narrative were an allegory, "the man who wrote it was guilty of a gratuitous insult to the memory of a prophet, and could not have been inspired by the prophet’s Master thus to dishonor a faithful servant."

(a) Jonah was sent upon a mission – Jonah 1:2. Christ was sent upon a mission – Matthew 1:21. Jonah was to preach to the Ninevites, condemning the great city for its wickedness. His message was repentance. The mission of our Lord was to save the lost. He came to seek and save the lost. We never sought Him – He sought us. He came not merely to preach a gospel but that there might be a gospel to preach – the message of death and resurrection, the two aspects of His saving work.

(b) Jonah voluntarily gave himself up – Jonah 1:9-10; Jonah 1:12; Jonah 2:2-3. Christ voluntarily gave Himself up – Matthew 26:50; 2 Corinthians 5:21. The men on board knew that Jonah had fled from the Lord and rebuked him for it. Jonah offered himself that the others might be saved.

Christ voluntarily gave Himself to save a lost world. Compare Jonah 2:2-3 with Psalms 88:6-7. God’s wrath was poured out upon His Son who was obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. His life was laid down. No one could take it from Him. He who knew no sin was willing to be our substitute. Jonah deserved death because of disobedience-his own sins. Our Lord was delivered for OUR offenses. He received what we deserved.

(c) Jonah was preserved – Jonah 2:7. Christ too was preserved in a miraculous way – Matthew 12:40. For three days and nights, Jonah was preserved in the belly of the great fish. Our Lord had reference to this in Matthew 12:40 and Luke 24:6-7. The prepared fish could not hold and digest Jonah. Nor could the grave hold the Giver of eternal life. The VICTIM on the cross became the VICTOR in the resurrection.

Jonah was raised in order that he might proclaim a saving message. Christ was miraculously resurrected that we might preach the gospel story; for Christ on the cross will not save. We preach not a dead Christ, but a living Saviour. If Christ be not raised from the dead, our preaching and faith are vain.

(d) Jonah, a Jew, brought good tidings to the Gentiles – Jonah 1:9; Jonah 3:4; Jonah 3:10. Christ, a Jew, brought salvation to the Gentiles – Luke 2:32. Acts 9:15.

It was through Abraham’s seed that all of the families of the earth were to be blessed. We must never forget that we are indebted to the Jews for the Scriptures: and that because of a Jew, we have been offered salvation. Jonah, as Peter, was a patriot and neither could understand why any Gentile should be included in salvation. Peter had to be rebuked by the words, "What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common" Acts 10:15.

3. The Cities of refuge – Numbers 35;Joshua 20:1-6.

We cannot help believing that the writer of Hebrews has reference to the cities of refuge in chapter 6, verse 18, "Who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us." Isaiah said, "We have a strong city; salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks." The Psalmist said, "God ’is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."

(a) The cities of refuge were easily accessible. The description of the cities of refuge (three on each side of the Jordan) is clearly given in Numbers 35. Any one could be reached in one day from any part of the country. They were not in the valleys but on the hills, visible to all. Our Lord was lifted upon the cross as the sinner’s substitute. A look at the Saviour Who is near now, will save anyone who is willing to trust. The gates of each city were always open. This is the day of grace and mercy for the sinner. The call is, "whosoever will," as the gates of mercy stand wide open.

(b) The cities were appointed and selected long before they came into use. They were appointed in the wilderness before the land of promise was reached.

God promised a Saviour, in His Son, Jesus Christ. When man sinned, God promised a Saviour – Genesis 3:15. But provision had been made before this – 1 Peter 1:20; Revelation 13:8. When the proper time came, God was ready. He is always on time – Galatians 4:4-5.

(c) The cities provided safety. The innocent man was kept within the walls until the high priest died. Then he was free to return to his loved ones. Death can never claim our High Priest. The redeemed in Christ are safe forever. There is no condemnation to those in Christ Jesus. The priesthood of the Old Testament was only temporary. Our Lord’s priesthood is perpetual. To become a living Priest or Intercessor for us, He must taste of death – Hebrews 9:16-17.

(d) The refuge was sufficient and perfect as seen in the meaning of the names.

(1) Kadesh – "sanctuary." or "righteousness." Christ is our righteousness. We exchanged our filthy rags for His robe of righteousness. God’s righteousness is that righteousness which His righteousness requires Him to require. There was nothing in us that He could require, but Christ is made unto us righteousness.

(2) Shechem – "shoulder." This speaks of strength and the place of burden. The priest carried on each shoulder the six names of the tribes of Israel when entering the Holy of holies. It is the place where the shepherd carries the lost sheep which has been found. Christ is our perfect burden-bearer. The arm that upholds the universe will uphold the weakest blood-bought saint.

(3) Hebron – "fellowship." This is typical of the fellowship which is restored in and through Christ after the break in the garden of Eden. Our Lord came to be friendless that we might have a friend.

(4) Bezer – "fortress." Christ is our Fortress. We are secure and safe in Him. Satan is mighty but our Saviour is Almighty.

(5) Ramoth – "exaltation." Christ became lower than angels, even as a worm (so says the Psalmist), that He might be exalted and lift us above the angels. Our mediator is now seated at the right hand of His Father.

(6) Golan – "joy." He is our exceeding joy. "In his presence is fulness of joy." Truly, after summing up these cities and their meanings, we discover that our Lord is sufficient. He is the Shaddai – the Almighty God – the God Who is ENOUGH.

9. Solomon contrasted with Christ (Antithesis).

"A greater than Solomon is here" – Matthew 12:42. Who was Solomon? In some respects he was the greatest of the Kings of Israel. He was the first of Israel’s monarchs that sought to go beyond the boundaries of the land of promise and cultivate the friendship of other nation.

SOLOMON’S ADMINISTRATION – He reigned over All kingdoms, from the river Euphrates unto the land of the Philistines, and unto the border of Egypt.

SOLOMON’S ACCUMULATION – His provision for one day was 300 bushels of fine flour and 600 bushels of meal, 10 fat oxen, 20 oxen from the pastures, 100 sheep, 40,000 stalls for horses and 12,000 horsemen.

SOLOMON’S EDUCATION – His understanding excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt. He was wiser than all men. The Queen of Sheba came from afar to prove him. Solomon satisfied her with his answers, and she was overcome with his greatness. In appreciation she gave him – "one hundred and twenty talents of gold, and of spices very great store, and precious stones."

SOLOMON’S VERSIFICATION – He spoke three thousand proverbs and his songs were a thousand and five. People came from far and near to hear the wisdom of Solomon.

YET – He possessed no satisfaction. Listen to him as he reasons about life: "Vanity and vexation of Spirit ... I hated life." AND – His heart was turned from the Lord. He married many strange women with the result that he had to please them and permit them to worship their false gods. Solomon was just another creature who declined after the eyes of the world had been focused upon him as Public Figure number One. SO – Christ warns us, concerning Solomon. His glory was artificial. It couldn’t even be compared to the meanest flower. "Solomon in all his glory was not so well arrayed." BUT – Speaking of Himself, Jesus declares in Matthew 12:42 – "A greater than Solomon is here."

Solomon allied himself to paganism for political advantage; Christ allied Himself to the world for the sinner’s advantage.

Solomon’s heart was hardened because he loved luxury; Christ’s heart was melted because He loved the sinner.

Solomon came into the world, destined to be rich; Christ came into the world, destined to be poor.

Solomon heard the voice of admiration; Christ heard the voice of accusation.

Solomon made a maxim and disobeyed it; God made a law and Christ obeyed it.

Solomon came into the world to be a pleasure-seeker; Christ came into the world to be a soul-seeker.

Solomon expected respect and honor; Christ accepted disrespect and dishonor. With the coming of Solomon, a new world of thought was opened to the Israelites. With the coming of Christ, a new experience of salvation was to be offered to the world. A change came into the nation through the world which Solomon opened. A change came into men’s hearts through the abundant grace which Christ offered. Solomon was tempted by the wicked and fell; Christ was tempted by the adversary and overcame.

Solomon offered the sacrifice of animals for his sins; Christ offered the sacrifice of Himself for our sins.

Solomon stood surrounded demanding National Defense; Christ stood alone experiencing National Offense.

Adam, by one offense, became guilty and transmitted his guilt to mankind. Adam’s sin is our heritage. We can not be a pedagogue and lecture to our first father. When we speak of him, we speak of ourselves. We are heirs to all the sin his fall produced.

10. Melchizedek –Psalms 110:4.

(a) Mentioned in 3 portions: Mosaic – Genesis 14:17-24; Davidic – Psalms 110; Pauline – Hebrews 5:8.

Described as: King of Salem – King of Righteousness – Priest of the Most High God ("Melchi" – King; "Zedek" – Righteousness).

Christ and Melchizedek are the only two who have filled the two offices of King and Priest.

(b) Hebrews 7:4 – declares He is a man.

Hebrews 7:3 – some say this is positive proof that this man must be Jesus Christ. "Without father or mother." Because of these words they thought he must be Jesus. But Jesus had a mother.

(c) Melchizedek was a priest by the decree of God. He was without father and mother because they weren’t in the priestly line. A priest was a priest by right of birth. He is the only priest in this order. Things that are true of Melchizedek are true of Jesus. He bad no father or mother in the priestly line; no descendants.

(d) Melchizedek was the only one in history who combined the offices of priest and king. Christ was the only One in prophecy Who combined the two offices – Zechariah 6:9-14; Jeremiah 23:5; Zechariah 3:8; Isaiah 4:2.

(e) Christ’s priesthood is not after the order of Aaron, but after the manner of Aaron. He has taken us from the pit; out of darkness into light. He will never be interrupted by death as were the Levitical priests.

(f) Melchizedek is king of righteousness and king of peace. The Lord Jesus Christ is our Righteousness and our Peace. We will never know peace on earth till He comes to reign.

(g) Abraham was met by the two kings of Sodom and Salem (world and God). His testing came at the very hour of victory. When we stand we should take special heed lest we fall.

(h) Melchizedek blessed God. He was a mediator between Abraham and God.

(i) Melchizedek blessed Abraham. This is characteristic of Christ blessing us. He blesses with outstretched hand over His own.

(j) Abraham gave tithes to Melchizedek. He refused wealth from one and gave tithes to another.

11. Feasts of the Lord (Holy Festivals) Leviticus 23 :

(a) General information.

(1) They are: Passover, Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits, Pentecost, Trumpets, Day of Atonement and Tabernacle.

(2) There are: three in the first month, one in the third, and three in the seventh.

(3) Jehovah is the Host and the people are the guests.

(4) A change made when the passover was instituted.

[a] First passover celebrated in the seventh month.

[b] God remade the calendar and made the seventh month the first month of the year.

(5) They are religious feasts.

[a] They are set feasts in that they occurred at an appointed time.

[b] They were instituted after the Israelites came out of Egypt and while they were in the wilderness.

(6) Calendar of feasts:

(7) There are three outstanding feasts: Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles. Tabernacles was a great time of rejoicing,

(8) The Jews measured time as follows: the first month had 29 days, the second had 30, the third 29, the fourth 30, etc. To make up the necessary time they added a month every third year.

(b) Passover.

(1) Leviticus 23:4-5; 1 Corinthians 5:7 – Christ our Passover.

(2) First given in Egypt. Exodus 12 shows the type.

(3) Throughout the Word no one is called the Lamb save Jesus Christ. Always mentioned in the singular because God had in mind one Lamb.

(4) Condition of the people-were enslaved, under a taskmaster, They cried out and the Lord heard. They were sinners. Here is a picture of the unsaved man – a slave, Romans 6:16 – slaves unto death. Before slaves can be freed, the problem of sin has to be settled. God said, "I am come down to deliver." That’s grace – to deliver the sinner. 1900 years ago, Christ, the same "I am," came down to deliver us – grace!

(5) This is the way in which He delivered:

[a] He put the sentence of death on all first-born, man and beast. First-born is a symbol of man in Adam.

[b] Before deliverance can take place the sin question must be settled.

[c) Death sentence on all, declared there is no difference in relation to sin. Yet there was a difference – the difference of a lamb. There is always that difference (a lamb) between the saved and unsaved. Cain and Abel; Publican and Pharisees; two malefactors in Luke.

[d] Qualifications of the Lamb:

[1] Lamb never too little for the household.

[2] Lamb must be perfect.

[3] The person of Christ must be represented by a male.

[4] Must be a first-born.

[5] Must be slain.

[6] Lamb must be roasted with fire.

[7] Lamb to be eaten – not raw nor sodden with water – nothing done to stop action of fire. Typical of our Lord’s suffering.

[e] There must be an application of blood for salvation and so with the appropriation of Christ.

[1] Blood placed on the door to save from judgment.

[2] Death in every home. In the home of the Egyptian, the death of the first-born child. In the home of the Israelite it was the lamb.

[3] Lamb meant absolute safety.

[4] Judgment came at midnight. Lamb was slain at three. Any time between those hours the blood could be sprinkled, but at midnight it was too late.

(c) Feast of Unleavened Bread – Leviticus 23:6-8.

(1) Feast.

[a] Immediately after the Passover – Leviticus 23:6-8; Exodus 12. Lasted seven days.

[b] Seven days speaks of a complete cycle.

[c] Limitations.

[1] Only the Jews (born ones and bought ones) could eat this feast.

[2] Only those born of d and bought by God can live pleasing to Him.

(d) Feast of the Firstfruits – Leviticus 23:9-14.

(1) Time.

[a] While the Feast of Unleavened Bread was in progress.

[b] Always on the first day of the week.

(2) Conditions.

[a] Could not he observed until Israel was in the land.

[b] Had to come into the land and reap the harvest.

[c] Had to pass through the wilderness before they could reap the firstfruits.

(3) The Feast.

[a] Sheaf – they were to reap and take a sheaf (the first taken out of the field).

[b] This was to be presented to God.

[c] It was to be waved (to and fro) before Jehovah.

[d] The sheaf was a sample and pledge of the coming promise.

[1] The Jew pledged to God one-tenth of the harvest.

[2] God pledged to the Jew the rest of the harvest.

(4) Application.

[a] 1 Corinthians 15 – Christ the firstfruits.

[b] Christ is the first great sheaf of the resurrection and the others are to follow.

[c] It has reference to the resurrection.

(e) Feast of Weeks or Pentecost – Deuteronomy 16:10-16; Leviticus 23:15-22.

(1) Seven weeks between the time of first fruits and Pentecost.

(2) Typical significance:

[a] Passover – death of Christ.

[b] Firstfruits – resurrection – God holds to the first day of the week.

First day is the day of resurrection.

[c] Weeks – fulfillment of the descent of the Holy Spirit, to form the church.

(3) Feast.

[a] Two loaves baked with leaven.

[b] In the harvest they were not to glean the corners.

(4) Application.

[a] This has reference to the people. Two loaves because the Jew and Gentile are blessed and brought into union in Christ, through the descent of the Holy Spirit.

[b] In the harvest there is blessing not for the Jew only. They were to leave the corners and gleanings for the poor and strangers. So the blessing of Pentecost-the Holy Spirit – comes to the Jew, Samaritans and Gentiles.

[c] Two things happened on the day of Pentecost.

[1] Men were baptized with the Spirit. This is not mentioned in Acts 2, but prophesied five times. 1 Corinthians 12:13 shows the purpose of baptism – to unite into one Church.

[2] Men were filled also for service. The Spirit is not measured, but the gifts. "He giveth not the Spirit by measure."

[d] The Spirit came because it was fifty days after the resurrection.

[e] There is no feast from Pentecost to Trumpets. This indicates the interval of the present dispensation. The first four feasts look back; the last three look forward.

(f) Feast of Trumpets – Leviticus 23:23-25.

(1) Feast was on the first day of the seventh month.

[a] Israel was ordered about by trumpets. A trumpet called them to war and worship; a trumpet ushered in the year of Jubilee (year of liberation and restoration).

[b] Trumpets represented the voice of God to Israel.

[c] Trumpets were made of silver. Silver is the type of redemption.

(2) Typical.

[a] It looks forward to the regathering of Israel.

[b] It refers to the Messiah’s coming – Matthew 24:30-31; Isaiah 11:11; Isaiah 27:12-13; Amos 9:15; Ezekiel 37 (Valley of dry bones-national restoration).

(3) Application – to the Church.

We too are to be gathered together with Him – 1 Thessalonians 4:16. The trump shall sound and call us – 1 Corinthians 15:51-52.

(g) Day of Atonement. Tenth day of the month – Leviticus 23:26-32.

(1) Feast.

[a] Leviticus 16 gives the ritual. Leviticus 23 gives the day in connection with the set feast.

[b] The whole service is in atonement – separation and expiation for sin in the highest and fullest sense possible in those days. For all the iniquities, all the transgressions, and all the sins of Israel.

[c] Shows the holiness of God and the sinfulness of man. Man must not penetrate the veil without the blood of sacrifice.

(2) Application.

[a] It is a real labor day.

[1] The High Priest did all the work, no one helped him.

[2] When Christ came no one helped Him; no one could – not even the Father in heaven.

[3] No one’ can share in the service but we share in the results.

[b] Aaron laid aside the garments of beauty and glory, and put on plain linen garments. He didn’t wear his high priestly robes. After he had finished he put back on the garments of glory. It speaks of the Lord. When He came to earth He put aside the robes of glory and put on the white robes of sinless humanity until after the cross.

(3) Contrasts.

[a] Cleansing.

[1] On the day of Atonement Aaron had to cleanse himself – complete washing expresses the thought that the High Priest who does the work must be pure and clean.

[2) Christ needed no cleansing.

[b] Sacrifice.

[1] Aaron must offer a sacrifice for himself; he was a sinner and needed atonement. God couldn’t have found a better man than Aaron, and yet he needed atonement – taken from among men.

[2] Christ did not offer a sacrifice for Himself. If that had been necessary He never could have been sacrificed for others.

[c] Number of sacrifices.

[1] Aaron offered sacrifice s.

[2] Christ offered one sacrifice, once for all.

(4) Ritual of two goats – Leviticus 16.

[a] Represent Christ in death and life, or death and resurrection.

[b] This ritual is peculiar to Israel.

[c] Both goats presented to the Lord. A bullock is offered as a sin offering and then one goat is killed as a sin offering and the blood is carried to the mercy-seat. On the cross Christ settled the question of sin and sins.

[l] The first goat was killed for the people; his blood was shed for the people, for atonement. So Christ shed His blood for our sins.

[2] The second goat was not killed; the priest laid his hands on the head of the goat and confessed the sins of Israel and the goat was led out into the wilderness. "Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world." Remission means bear away. The second goat was sent away in liberty to the land of forgetfulness.

[d] Speaks of future cleansing for Israel.

(h) Feast of Tabernacles. Fifteenth day of the seventh month – Leviticus 23:33-43.

(1) The feast.

[a] Was a kind of harvest home celebration – thanksgiving to God for His goodness.

[b] Came at the end of the harvest season.

[c] Lasted seven days.

[d) It is the last great feast of the year.

(2) Application.

[a] Points to the millennial days and even to the golden age that will follow – Zechariah 14:16-17.

[b) Israel is cleansed for her Messiah.

[c] People will dwell out in the open.

[d) It looks to eternity – Ephesians 1:18.

12. Tabernacle in the Wilderness.

(a) General.

(1) Exodus 25:1; Exodus 25:8 – "a sanctuary that I may dwell among them" – John 1:1; John 1:14. "Dwelt" means tabernacled.

(2) Tabernacle Old Testament. Tabernacle New Testament. Where God dwelt. Where God dwelt.

Made of gold and silver and linen.         Made of flesh and blood.

(b) Plan of tabernacle. Court is made of a fence of pure white, fine-twined linen.

A. HOLY OF HOLIES

B. HOLY PLACE

C. OUTER COURT 1. ARK OF COVENANT 2. ALTAR OF INCENSE 3. TABLE OF SHEWBREAD

4. CANDLESTICK (1) Called a tent, though it really refers to the outer covering, Tent suggests moving or pilgrimage.

(2) Names:

[a] Tabernacle – Gives the thought of settling down.

[b) Sanctuary – Exodus 25:8 – in the sense of sanctified or separated place – a holy place.

[c] Tabernacle of the congregation – Exodus 29:42-44. Place where the congregation of Israel met God,

[d] Tabernacle of testimony – Numbers 1:50-53. Where the testimony of God or the law was kept. It was a witness of God’s holiness.

[e] Jehovah’s pavilion – Psalms 27:5. Where God’s people come in time of trouble.

[f] Jehovah’s palace.

[g] The place where the Lord dwells between the cherubim – Psalms 80:1; Psalms 89:1.

[h] House of the Lord – Psalms 27:4 – place of fellowship.

(c) Pattern of the tabernacle – Hebrews 8:2; Hebrews 8:5; Hebrews 9:24; Exodus 25:9.

(1) Apparently after a model given to Moses.

(2) The reality of the tabernacle is in heaven. This is a shadow.

(d) Purpose of the tabernacle – Exodus 25:8; Exodus 25:22; Exodus 29:45-46.

(1) "That I may dwell among them." God wants a sanctuary that He may dwell among men.

(2) God desires to be in fellowship with man, but sin came between-as sin always puts one far away from God.

(e) Prophecy of the tabernacle.

(1) Was a prophecy of the Incarnation when God would take a tabernacle of flesh to dwell among men – John 1:14.

(2) God is the actor – Hebrews 2:14; Hebrews 2:16. Man is excluded and has nothing to do with it. Fulness of the Godhead is in Christ. The living Word reveals the invisible thoughts of God. Jesus is God manifest in the flesh.

(3) Messages:

[a] The message of the builders – Exodus 31:2-6; Exodus 35:30-35. Men who were Spirit-filled. In order to be workers today we need men divinely endued. God Himself is the Architect and Moses was the overseer. The people were the real workers and the work was approved by God.

[b] Four colors:

Blue – color of heaven – Son of God.

Purple – color of royalty – Christ, the Messiah.

Scarlet – blood color. The Lamb. Who was a sacrifice for sin. Linen curtain speaks of Him Who is the only righteous Man.

[c] Veil was to be embroidered with cherubim.

[1] In the Holy of Holies we have the mercy-seat and over it the cherubim.

[2] Speaks of the presence of God – always connected with the throne of God.

[3] They could not look up on the golden cherubim in the Holy of Holies, but they could look on the image on the curtain. Christ is the image of the Father.

[d] Veil had man on one side and God on the other. Artificial light on one side and the Shekinah glory on the other.

[e] Purpose: it shall divide – Exodus 26:33.

[l] Did not permit access to God; it prevented access to God.

[2] Not saved because Christ lived. His life would keep us from God forever. We are saved because He died.

[3] It tells us that the only kind of humanity that can stand in the presence of God is the sinless humanity of the Son of God.

[4] The veil barred man out, but there’s a way in. We can’t praise, pray, work or buy our way in. The only way is substitutionary sacrifice and blood in the basin. The blood sprinkled on the veil and then the high priest enters. No man ever went in except by blood.

[f] Matthew 27:50-51.

[1] Veil speaks of incarnation.

[2] Rending speaks of death.

[3] Completely and supernaturally done. From top to bottom – God rent it.

Tradition says two teams of oxen couldn’t rend it. It was rent from above.

[4] Completely rent from top to bottom makes us think of the words, "It is finished." Man doesn’t have to do anything but believe.

[5] Told of the end of the old ritualism. The Shekinah Glory hidden for centuries by the veil, is now open to everyone. We enter by faith.

We have the Holy of Holies in heaven. Christ is there and we go there by faith – through the blood.

While He lived, His perfect life was a barrier to our ever entering in unless He died.

We enter by His sacrifice.

(4) White fence around the tabernacle.

[a] Directions.

[1] 100 cubits x 50 cubits.

[2] Open to the sky – no roof.

[3] Linen wall hung on 60 pillars of brass. 20 on each side. 10 on each end.

[4] Pillars rested on brass sockets and were connected with silver rods.

Each socket weighed about 100 pounds.

Fillet – means connecting rod.

[5] Secured by cords of linen and tent pegs.

[6] Tops of the pillars were overlaid with a silver ornament.

[7] Curtains were hung to the pillars with little hooks of silver.

[8] The gate was twenty cubits wide and hung on four pillars.

[b] Typical significance.

[1] Linen means Righteous One – Jesus. The perfection of Christ shuts men out. God accepts only perfect righteousness. Gives the idea of mediation. The wall is between sinful man and a holy God – Romans 1:18. So Christ is both human and divine.

God is law as well as love – He is not lawless and can’t permit His love to violate His law. The requirements of a mediator are judgment and redemption.

[2] Brass always a symbol of judgment.

[3] Silver is always the symbol of redemption.

[4] Pure linen hung on the pillars of brass and was set in sockets of brass, but was held together with rods of silver hooks. The brass of judgment and the silver of redemption.

[5) He could have come down from the cross but He wouldn’t have saved us if He had. He wouldn’t come down – not couldn’t. Our redemption held Him there (silver hooks of redemption held the linen to the brass).

[6] He takes the while linen of His righteousness and wraps it around us – 1 Corinthians 1:30.

[7] The ornaments on top were for beauty. They speak of the beauty of the Lord. He is the fairest of ten thousand.

[8] Silver over brass. Redemption over judgment.

(5) Framework of the Tabernacle – Exodus 26:15-30 [a] General directions.

[1] 10 x 30 cubits. Tabernacle proper.

[2] Made of shittim wood overlaid with gold, standing on a foundation of silver.

[3] 48 boards – 20, 20, 6, 2.

[4] Two sockets of silver under each board for a firm foundation. 100 in all. Four sockets under veil pillars.

[5] Held by bars covered with gold. Five bars on each side.

[b] Typical significance.

[1] Shittim wood.

Resists the effects of weather and attacks of insects.

It is called "incorruptible wood" – symbol of Christ’s humanity.

Desert wood. The only wood available. Christ is a root out of dry ground.

Prepared boards – prepared humanity.

Incorruptibility. No salvation through His life, but through His death. He is unique – sinless perfection. He was not liable to death, but capable of death.

[2] Wood overlaid with gold.

Gold – deity.

Wood – humanity.

[3] Dual nature.

Two materials – equal one board.

Two natures equal one body-a mystery but also a divine fact.

[4] The boards were to stand up in silver. Silver speaks of redemption – Exodus 30:11-16 – given at the time of numbering.

[5] Everyone had to give the same amount-one half shekel. The same standard of redemption for all and salvation is individual. God is no respecter of persons – Acts 20:28; Hebrews 2:9; John 10:11; John 10:18.

[6] Boards had been cut off from the trees. He was cut off from men and even from God in His last hour.

[7] The two boards are typical of two truths; Christ died. Christ arose.

[8] The bars held the boards together. There is no length given. They were wood overlaid with gold. They were held to the boards by rings of gold. The whole tabernacle was held by bars.

Colossians 1:17 – The five bars on each side equal the grace of God in giving His Son.

(6) Coverings.

[a] General directions.

There are four in number.

First – curtain of fine-twined linen, scarlet, purple, blue, and cherubim embroidered.

Second – goat’s hair.

Third – ram’s skin dyed red.

Fourth – badger or seal skin.

[b] Curtain of linen – Exodus 26:16.

[1] Directions. Made up of ten curtains sewed into two breadths of five each. 40 cubits x 28 cubits. 30 cubits over the top and 10 down the back. 2 curtains were linked with 100 loops of blue and 50 hooks of gold.

[2] Typical significance.

Linen – righteousness. Of pure white, the finest piece of material ever woven from flax. Christ is the finest personality Who ever walked the earth. Colors all came from the death of animal life. The same is true in the veil. Scarlet from the cochineal bug; blue and purple from shellfish.

40 cubits long speaks of the testing of Christ.

[c] Curtain of goat’s hair – Exodus 26:7-13.

[1] General directions.

Six in one and five in the other. 100 loops and 50 taches of brass. The eleventh curtain hung down in front.

It is made from goat’s hair and scripture teaches goats are black – Song of Solomon 6:5. Tents of the Arabs today are black, and made of goat’s hair according Atchinak of Palestine.

[2] Typical significance.

Black is the color of sin and come5 from the goat – type of sin.

11 – equals sin; goat – equals sin; black – equals sin.

We have enacted in the erection of the tabernacle – the Gospel.

White curtain – Christ.

Black curtain – sin. The black on the white – our sins on Christ – "Laid on Him the iniquity of us all."

He died for all our sins – past, present, future.

[d] Curtains of ram’s skins dyed red – Exodus 26:14.

[1] General directions – Exodus 26:14.

[2] Typical significance. The black of our sins brought about His sacrifice. The ram is the sacrificial animal used at the consecration of Aaron and his sons. It speaks of dedication – "I have come to do thy will." It was used as the substitute for Isaac.

It means His consecration to the Father’s business led Him to the cross.

Skin – not hair – the sacrifice of the life of the animal.

[e] Badger skin or sealskin – Exodus 26:14.

[1] General directions.

Dull blue, gray, or dark brown. Not very pleasing to the eye. No form given. No definite measurements.

[2] Typical significance.

"He hath no form nor comeliness."

People outside could only see the outer covering. To see the linen you had to be inside. The world sees only His humanity not His deity – "He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not." The world only sees Him as a man, an outcast, homeless, and a wanderer. From inside one sees purple, scarlet, blue, gold and silver. Get in Christ and see His beauty.

(7) Brazen altar.

[a] General directions.

5 x 5 x 3 cubits. Made of brass and wood. Four horns. Hall way down a network of brass is put in where the sacrifice is made. All utensils are made of brass.

[b] Typical significance.

[1] Typical of Christ on the Cross. The thought is judgment.

[2] Why use wood in an altar on which fire is burning continually?

It shows wood charred and marred for us. The charred wood of the altar speaks of charred humanity of Christ as the fire of God’s wrath flowed over Him. The altar spoke of judgment and the wood of sacrifice.

[3] The altar is the largest article in the tabernacle.

Some say others could be put into it. Everything in the tabernacle is based on the work of Christ.

[4] The altar is at the door.

Approach to God is only by way of the altar. No Israelite could approach until he came to the altar with a victim as substitute. There is now no approach apart from the cross.

[5] Christ is the Lamb – the slain Lamb. He is not dead but living. The cross stands at the door of heaven. No other sacrifice would avail.

[6] Blood is poured out at the foot of the altar. "The life is in the blood." Jesus poured out His life.

[7] Fire burned continually. It was not of man’s kindling; it came from the presence of the Lord. This speaks of judgment on sin. It is typical of God’s judgment which was poured out on the cross. To be in the fire is awful. To be in God’s wrath is awful, and that is where Christ went for us.

[8] Ashes dropped through the grate and were removed by a brazen shovel, and put in a brazen pot and taken outside to a clean place. Their dropping through speaks of the finished work of Christ. The whole ceremony speaks of the accepted sacrifice.

(8) The Laver.

[a] General directions – Exodus 30:17-21.

[1] It stood between the altar and the tabernacle.

[2] It was made of brass. The brass was supplied by the gifts of the women. The women gave up their mirrors. These mirrors were of brass.

[3] It was like a reservoir, in that there was washing by water, rather than in water.

[b] Typical significance.

[1] Speaks of cleansing – Ephesians 5:26; Titus 3:5.

[2] It was made of brass and this speaks of judgment. The basis of all cleansing is the death of Christ.

[3] The mirrors symbolized the Word of God. Looking into the Word is looking into of a mirror.

[c] Two-fold message from the laver.

Regeneration.

Sanctification.

We have to come to the laver for regeneration and sanctification.

(9) The candlestick – Exodus 25:31-40.

[a] General directions.

It was beaten out of a talent of pure gold. Valued at $25,000 to $30,000. It had a base and a central stem. There were three stems on each side, a total of seven stems.

These branches were ornamented with buds and blossoms and almonds. It was a little almond tree.

It is a lampstand, not a candlestick. There were vessels on the ends of the branches with oil and a wick in each. Olive oil was used.

[b] Typical significance.

[1] Person of the Lord.

Gold – Deity. The divine nature is emphasized. He is the true candlestick. If He were not God there wouldn’t be any light in the world – "I am the light of the world" – John 8:12.

Number 7 – His perfection. Perfection marked Him. He was perfect – the only One against Whom no charge could be made.

[2] Work of the Lord.

Oil – Holy Spirit. It gave its light because of the oil; because it was filled with oil. This speaks of the relationship between the Son and Spirit of God and His work through the Spirit. His death. His work had to do with redemption. It was a piece of hammered-work. Every blow necessary was laid upon it. Christ suffered to the full satisfaction of God, and then cried, "It is finished." There were no unnecessary blows, but every necessary one was given. The Roman soldiers hammered Him on the face with their fists; they hammered His back with the scourge; they hammered Him to the cross. He was not only hammered by the hands of men, but hammered by the hammer of divine righteousness without mercy – "It pleased the Lord to bruise Him" – Isaiah 53:10. He became the greatest piece of hammered-work in all time. His resurrection.

Almond tree (Aaron’s rod – dead slick made alive).

Almond – means wakeful and hastener. It is the first tree to waken in the spring and is the firstfruits of all the trees.

We see the resurrection in the firstfruit.

We have fragrance (flowers) and fruit; the only One in Whom the fruit of the Spirit was fully manifested.

[c] Application.

We see ourselves in the candlestick. We are the wick – "Ye shine as lights." Light must come through human instruments while Christ is not here.

[1] To give light the wick must be in the oil.

[2] Oil must be in the wick – "If so be that the Spirit be in you."

[3] Fire. Fire burns and turns to ashes. "None of self and all of Thee"; that’s ashes.

[4] Wick must be trimmed. There were snuffers to trim the wick. If it is not trimmed it does not give much light and is smoky. The High Priest did the trimming and so does our High Priest.

Burnt wick is taken off today which gave light yesterday. Past experience is the burnt wick.

Past service is the burnt wick.

Past testimony is the burnt wick. The burnt wick will not give light today. We do not give light by what we did in the past, but by what we do today. When Paul boasted of the past he said, "I am become a fool."

[5] The burnt wick was put in a golden snuff-box. Our service is in the golden snuff-box of God’s remembrance.

(10) Table of Shewbread – Exodus 25:23-28; Leviticus 24:5-9.

[a] General directions.

It was made of acacia wood. 2 x 1 x 1½ cubits.

It was overlaid with pure gold.

It was to have on it shewbread before the Lord always.

[b] Typical significance.

Christ – the Bread of Life.

Christ – hearing the people in the presence of God.

(11) Golden Altar of Incense.

[a] General directions.

It stood just before the veil.

It was made of wood overlaid with gold.

It was two cubits high. So far as we know it was the tallest article in the Holy Place.

It had horns and a crown of gold around the edge.

Incense was offered every morning and night.

[b] Typical significance.

[1] Materials.

Gold – deity.

Wood – humanity.

Gold over wood glorified the wood. The One Who was despised and rejected is now glorified.

[2] Height and crown – glorification and exaltation.

[3] Horn – stands for power.

Horns were probably four in number – Hebrews 7:16. They give the thought of Christ constituted Priest "after the power of an endless life." We have a connection with the blood of the sin offering for it was put on the horns of this altar.

[4] Incense burned.

Four sweet spices in equal proportion. Speaks of the evenness and balance of His life. The result is fragrance. It is spoken of as pure and holy – typical of purity and holiness.

It could not be made to use as perfume – the punishment was death.

Incense was typical of prayer – Psalms 141:2.

Revelation 5:8 – brings the message of intercession of our Lord.

Incense went up for Israel, the people of God, and for them only. The same is true of Christ; He prays only for His own – John 17:9. Our prayers to the Father reach the Father through Christ. The horns were marked with blood – our intercession is based on the cross. Without the cross He could not intercede for us. Burning of incense continually foreshadows His continual intercession for us.

(12) The Ark of the Covenant [a] General directions – Exodus 25:10-22; Exodus 37:1-9.

[1] It was the furniture for the Holy of Holies.

[2] It was a chest of acacia wood, covered within and without with gold.

[3] It was 2½ x 1½ x 1½ cubits.

[4] Around the top was a border of gold. There was a ring on each corner. It was carried by staves passing through the rings.

[5] The staves were of acacia wood covered with gold and were never removed.

[6] The covering was the mercy-seat.

[7] The ark was prepared for the Law, and into it went the tables of stone.

[8] It is called the ark of the covenant and testimony because it contained the Law.

[b] Typical significance.

[1] Acacia is incorruptible wood – which speaks of His sinless humanity.

[2] Gold – deity.

[3] One ark and two materials – suggest One with two natures.

[4] The wood gave it form; His humanity gives Him form.

[5] All you saw of the ark was the gold. As you study the Man in His life and death, His deity is obvious.

[6] The ark had the Law hidden in its heart. This speaks of the Son. He was born under the Law and kept it perfectly in His heart.

[7] In the tabernacle was the only place where the Law was kept unbroken. In Israel they could not be trusted to keep the Law.

[8] Aaron’s rod speaks of resurrection of the risen and triumphant Christ. It was a prophecy of the priesthood of our Lord, and a reminder of Israel’s rebellion.

[9] Golden pot of manna. The Lord says, "I am the bread." A reminder of the murmuring in the wilderness.

[10] It contained all Israel’s chief treasures. Christ contains all our treasures.

(13) Mercy-Seat [a] General directions.

It was a cover made of pure gold with a cherub at each end. Their wings met over the center. Their faces looked down.

[b] Typical significance.

[1] The name means "covering."

[2] "Covering" is not an adequate translation. It is the same word as is translated "atonement." In it we have the idea of propitiation. It is called in the Septuagint – propitiatory seat. In the ark God placed the Law. That Law man had broken and it shows what man is, for the Law is holy, just, and good. By the Law God must pronounce judgment. Anybody who looks to the Law finds death, not salvation. Law knows no distinction among men.

13. The High Priest and his garments.

(a) The High Priest.

(1) Apart from the High Priest the tabernacle would be inaccessible.

He was the mediator between God and man.

(2) Two lines of priesthood: Aaron and Melchizedek.

(3) Aaron was a type or contrast.

Aaron was a priest on earth: Christ never was a priest on earth.

Aaron ceased to be priest when he died; Christ never ceases to be priest.

(4) The work of the High Priest didn’t begin until after the death of the sacrifice took place.

(5) The priesthood had to do with Israel – God’s own people. All believers are in heaven in Christ.

Christ is our confessor in heaven.

(6) The priesthood was in behalf of the people. Christ our Righteousness is in heaven. There is finality to His work.

(b) The garments of the High Priest.

(1) General description.

Exodus 28 – They were made of purple, scarlet, fine linen, gold, and precious stones. They were holy garments for glory and beauty – God-designed.

(2) Embroidered coat, and linen breeches – Exodus 28:3; Exodus 28:39; Exodus 28:42.

There was a coat with a long skirt and fine linen breeches. The breeches were undergarments that reached from the loins to the thigh. They speak of righteousness and purity. Aaron needed cleansing. The anti-type needed none.

(3) Linen girdle. This is not the girdle of the ephod. It was wound around the body. It is the symbol of service – Php 2:7; John 13:4 – servant. After regeneration there is need of daily cleansing.

(4) Robes of the Ephod.

[a] General directions.

Blue from shoulder to feet. One piece woven without seam. There was a habergeon with two holes for arms, and one for the head. The skirt was trimmed with pomegranates and embroidered in blue, purple, and scarlet. There were pomegranates and bells on the hems.

[b] Typical significance.

Blue – the heavenly color showing the heavenly character of His ministry.

Bells speak of the tongue, showing the perfect speech of the Son of God. The bells speak of testimony.

Pomegranates speak of fruitfulness – fruit of many seeds.

Whenever there is testimony there is fruit. When the priest went into the Holy of Holies, the people could hear the bells and so knew he was alive. How do we know Jesus lives in heaven? Because of the bells. On the day of Pentecost, there was the fulfillment of the ringing of the bells. Bells and pomegranates are never separated. Wherever there is a testimony you find a fruitfulness of the Spirit.

(5) Ephod.

[a] General directions.

It was an outer garment made of blue, purple, scarlet, fine-twined linen and gold. It was woven in two pieces – one for the front and one for the back.

There was an onyx-stone on each shoulder. On each stone were the names of six tribes of Israel.

[b] Typical significance.

He bore all Israel on His shoulders before God. So Christ bears us before God. The shoulder is the place of strength.

(6) Breastplate.

[a] General directions.

It is of the same material as the ephod.

It is foursquare.

There were twelve stones for the twelve tribes, on the breasts. The High Priest bore them on his heart as well as on his shoulder.

[b] Typical significance.

We are always in the place of affection.

(7) Mitre.

It is the head covering and shows obedience to God.

(8) Golden plate.

It was the crowning piece. It was fastened to the mitre with laces of blue. On it was "Holiness to the Lord." Our holiness is in the presence of God.

(9) Urim and Thummim. For wisdom. God spoke to His people through these. Probably they were two precious stones carried in the pouch of the breastplate. The words are Hebrew words meaning lights and perfection.

14. The Offerings or Sacrifices –Leviticus 1:5:

(a) There are five of them: Burnt, meat, peace, sin, and trespass. It takes all five to present Christ’s c work. The first three are sweet savour. The last two are non-sweet savour; they have to do with sin – that is, they picture Christ as the sinner’s substitute.

(b) Types of sacrifices used.

There were three kinds of four-footed beasts – oxen, sheep, and goats. There also were two birds of sacrifice – turtle-doves and young pigeons.

(c) All sacrifices were either such as were offered on the ground of communion with God (Burnt and Peace), or else as were intended to restore that communion when it had been dimmed (Sin and Trespass).

(d) Discussion of each offering.

(1)The burnt offering – Leviticus 1.

[a] Entire surrender unto God whether of the individual or the congregation. Thus it could not be offered without the shedding of blood. This portrays our Lord’s perfect submission to the Father. He was obedient unto death.

[b] The sacrifice was always a male animal – indicating strength and energy.

[c] Blood sprinkled on altar.

[d] Animal cut in pieces and wholly burned.

(2) The meat offering – Leviticus 2.

[a] Really a meal offering since there is no flesh in it. It comes from the vegetable kingdom. No blood. It brings before us the products of the soil – that which represents the sweat of man’s brow and labor.

[b] There are three varieties of the sacrifice and all speak of Christ.

[1] Fine flour. Ground and sifted. Speaks of evenness and balance of Christ. No excess or lack of any quality. The grain, ground between the millstones and exposed to fire, speaks of Christ’s sacrifice.

Frankincense. Frank means whiteness and speaks of purity. Incense speaks of prayer – "He ever liveth to make intercession." The fragrance speaks of the fragrance of His life. He is the Lily of the Valley.

[2] Baked loaves. They are cakes mixed with oil. No leaven permitted. No decay or corruption in our Lord. No honey. Honey is a natural sweetness which stands for natural sweetness apart from grace. Honey ca uses and promotes fermentation. Salt was to be used, preserving against corruption.

[3] Green corn. Dried by fire and beaten, pictures suffering of Christ.

Full ears – excellence and perfection. The firstfruits of the harvest. The best, full, first, and finest ears.

(3) The peace offering – Leviticus 3.

[a] Speaks of happy fellowship.

[b] Followed other feasts.

[c] Either public or private.

[d] Male or female.

[e] Leviticus 7 tells us that the "inwards" were waved before the Lord, along with "the breast" and "right shoulder." The purpose of the waving was to present the sacrifice to the Lord and then to receive it back from Him.

[f] This offering is typical of Christ in relation to the believer’s peace. Colossians 1:20.

(4) The sin offering – Leviticus 4.

[a] Not like the trespass offering, which only atoned for one special offense. The sin offering symbolized general redemption.

[b] This is the most important of all sacrifices.

[c] Every spot of blood from a sin offering on a garment conveyed defilement.

(5) The trespass offering – Leviticus 5.

[a) Provided for certain transgressions committed through ignorance.

[b] Prescribed in the cases of healed lepers – Leviticus 14:12.

[c] Blood thrown on the corners of the altars.

(e) Comparison of the offerings.

(1) Burnt offering (oblation). Through Christ’s finished work we come into the presence of God for worship.

(2) Meat offering (Human perfection). Speaks of His unblemished manhood.

(3) Peace offering (conciliation). Christ our peace.

(4) Sin offering (expiation). Christ made sin for us, (5) Trespass offering (satisfaction). Christ settles the question of sin.

Man is a guilty transgressor and needs forgiveness – (Trespass offering, Ch. 5).

Man is a sinner and needs atoning sacrifice – (Sin offering, Ch. 4).

Man has a heart alienated from God and needs reconciliation – (Peace offering, Ch, 3).

Man, fallen and depraved, needs a substitute – (Meat offering, Ch. 2).

Man is unworthy and needs to be identified with a Worthy One – (Burnt offering, Ch. 1).