Page 6 - Christology - Student Textbook

of Exodus 17:5-7 is typical of Christ (1 Cor. 10:4). It represents the fact that Christ smitten and
crucified provided the water of salvation which completely satisfies. Noah’s ark has represented to
the people of God of all ages the work of God in delivering His own from judgment. It is
frequently mentioned in the New Testament in various connections (Matt 24:37-38; Luke 17:26-
27; Heb. 11:7; 1 Pet. 3:20; 2 Pet. 2:5-9). These types are illustrative of many others which could be
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cited.

Typical Institutions and Ceremonies

Typical institutions and ceremonies include the Old Testament priesthoods, feasts of Jehovah, and
cities of refuge. The typology of the cities of refuges describes the sanctuary for those who were
found to have committed inadvertent sin whose consequence was death. In the Mosaic Law, there
were some provisions for a person who had innocently taken the life of another. That person’s
deliverance from the avenger of blood was flee to a city of refuge. After the high priest’s death, that
person could return and all of his manslaughter charges would be dropped. As long as the high priest
was alive, that person was not allowed to go back home. If he did so, the avenger was permitted to
take the life of the murderer (Num. 35; Deut. 19:1-13; Josh 20).

On that, Walvoord notes:

The cities of refuge are obviously a type of refuge in Christ where the sinner finds refuge from
judgment for sin and is made free by the death of the High Priest. God is frequently spoken of as
a refuge in the Old Testament (Ps 46:1; 142:5; Isa 4:6) and also in the New Testament (Rom 8:33
34; Heb. 6:18-19). While God has always been the refuge of His saints, it was not until the death of
the High Priest, fulfilled in Christ, that complete freedom was provided. Taken as a whole, the
typical ceremonies and institutions of the Old Testament have as their main theme the person and
work of the Lord Jesus Christ. Thus, embedded in the religious life of saints before Christ are found
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the principal elements of the New Testament revelation concerning Christ.

1.4. Let’s Practice this Lesson…

1. Define a type.

2. How is Aaron a typical person?

3. How is Abel a typical person?

4. How is Adam a typical person?

9 Ibid., 73-74.

10 Walvoord, Jesus Christ our Lord, 77-78.

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