Typology

There is one last area of Old Testament study that I think we need to take a brief look at before we press on with our study in Ruth. We have set a foundation by discussing the importance of the Old Testament and what the Bible itself says about the Old Testament. Now let us consider an area of study called theological typology.

It is indeed beyond the scope and purpose of this entry to truly explore this branch of Biblical study. What I want to do is to explain what typology is, and then illustrate it from the Bible. The purpose behind this lies in the simple fact that the book of Ruth appears to be full of types, and before you think we are headed off on some trivial rabbit trails, I want you to see the validity of some forms of typology.

First, here is a general definition, taken from Wikipedia: "Typology in Christian theology interprets some characters and stories of the Old Testament (Hebrew Bible) as allegories foreshadowing the New Testament."

Another definition from the Christian Courier puts it like this: "A type is a real, exalted happening in history which was divinely ordained by the omniscient God to be a prophetic picture of the good things which He purposed to bring to fruition in Christ Jesus."

In a nutshell, typology deals with foreshadowing. It works from the premise that things in the Old Testament point towards things in the New. As you will see later on in this entry, the New Testament makes direct usage of typology time and again.

Before we progress any further, let us consider the dangers of typology. One danger is to dismiss much of the Old Testament as allegorical. Now if you are a fundamental, Bible-believing Christian, you may not be tempted into this area. However, higher criticism may tend to dismiss the Divinely-inspired side of Old Testament authorship, and simply attribute the stories and writings to allegory. Let us not forget that the things which are written in the Old Testament were actual events. They really took place.

The second danger we must avoid is extremism. Let us neither deny the existence of typology, nor try to force every Old Testament verse into its confines. If there is typology present, and God reveals it to us, great. If there isn't typology present, we are going to endeavor not to force it into being.

There, now you have the definition and the dangers. Let us now turn our attention to the pages of scripture to see what God says about the subject. As a context verse, let us head to the New Testament book of 1 Corinthians. Here Paul is talking about the congregation in the wilderness and the purpose behind these things being recorded. I suppose these verses could be considered as proof texts for us.

"Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted." (1 Cor 10:6)

"Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come." (1 Cor 10:11)

While I make no claim on Greek (or Hebrew) scholarship, the reference tools available to us today enable in depth study with no more than a simple knowledge of these languages. In these two passages in Corinthians, Paul uses a Greek word transliterated "tupos." Strong's tells us that this is defined as a "die, a stamp or scar; a shape or statue; a style or resemblance; a sample or a model." Thayer's says it is a "mark left by a blow, a figure thus formed; a form or example; an example to be imitated." According to etymology, we get our word "type" from this same Greek word.

Now, as we consider this word in light of the texts, we see that Paul is encouraging the Corinthians to look back, to remember those things which happened in the past, and to take heed to their message. He states that the things that happened are to be examples to us, or "types." One man described the Old Testament as a picture book or illustrated publication.

I want to make a short list here of verses which illustrate Biblical typology. You may be suprised at some of these, and some will perhaps be familiar.

Jonah:

"But He answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonah: 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." (Matt 12:39-40)

Serpent in the wilderness:

"And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life." (John 3:14-15)

Sarah and Hagar:

"For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise. Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which engendereth to bondage, which is Hagar. For this Hagar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all." (Gal 4:22-26)

Water from the Rock:

"And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ." (1 Cor 10:4)

Lawful tradition:

"Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of a holy day, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ." (Col 2:16-17)

Melchizedek:

"Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually." (Heb 7:3)

Levitical priesthood:

"Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern showed to thee in the mount." (Heb 8:5)

Passover lamb:

"Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:" (1 Cor 5:7)

Feast of Unleavened Bread:

"Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth." (1 Cor 5:8)

Adam:

"Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of Him that was to come. But not as the offense, so also is the free gift. For if through the offense of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many." (Rom 5:14-15)

As I mentioned previously, this is just a small, "eclectic" (to use a word I have grown fond of) sampling of typological verses found in the Bible. If your interest has been stirred, there are a myriad of resources available on the Web. If you have any questions or comments, please let me know. In closing, I'll leave you with this verse from Romans:

"For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope." (Rom 15:4)