TYPES OF CHRIST IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
A
Bible Study - Commentary by Jim Melough
Copyright
2001 James Melough
DAVID
Many
of the incidents in the life of David make it clear that he is a type of the Lord
Jesus Christ, and while some of those typological pictures are more easily discerned
than others, there is one that no one can fail to see easily.
It is that which is recorded in 2 Sa chs.15-19.
As
the result of a rebellion led by his son Absalom, David had to flee for his life, the
first stage of that flight being his crossing of the Kidron, “... the king also
himself passed over the brook Kidron....” 1 Sa 15:23.
We read that the King of kings, on the night of His betrayal, also crossed the
Kidron, “... He went forth ... over the brook Kidron,” Jn 18:1, and it too was
because of rebellion: that of His creature, man.
David’s
perfect acquiescence in the Divine will is recorded in verses 25-26, “... if I
shall find favor in the eyes of the Lord, He will bring me (back) again ... but if He
thus say, I have no delight in thee; behold, here am I, let Him do to me as seemeth
good unto Him.” This foreshadows
Christ’s willing acceptance of His Father’s will as expressed in His prayer in
Gethsemane, “Father, if Thou be willing, remove this cup from Me: nevertheless not
My will, but Thine, be done,” Lk 22:42.
Then
there is the reference to Ahithophel, the trusted friend who proved to be a traitor,
and who afterwards hanged himself, “And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among
the conspirators....” 1 Sa 15:31. “And
when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he ... hanged himself....”
ch.17:23. Who will fail to see in this
the OT picture of Judas the traitor, who,
after having betrayed the Lord, “went and hanged himself,” Mt 27:5?
David’s
flight involved a night time crossing of Jordan, “Then David arose ... and they
passed over Jordan: by the morning light there lacked not one of them that was not
gone over Jordan,” 1 Sa 17:22. The
Jordan is the biblical symbol of death. David’s crossing in the darkness of night
reminds us that it was in the three hours of darkness at Calvary that the Lord
“crossed over Jordan,” dying to redeem your soul and mine.
There is one significant difference, however: David was accompanied by
friends: the Lord “crossed over Jordan” alone, for “... they all forsook Him,
and fled,” Mk 14:50.
Just before the battle that
crushed the rebellion, David’s command to his captains was, “Deal gently for my
sake with the young man, even with Absalom,” 1 Sa 18:5.
Just before the conclusion of the battle that crushed the rebellious power of
Satan, the Lord invoked the Father on behalf of those responsible for His
crucifixion, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do,” Lk 23:34.
But the David who crossed
Jordan once, sorrowing, and in the darkness of night, re-crossed Jordan, rejoicing,
and in the light of day. Since crossing
Jordan represents death, the return crossing represents resurrection.
That same Christ Who “crossed Jordan” once, sorrowing, and in the hours of
darkness, has re-crossed the river of death, rejoicing, and in the light of day.
“And
very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at
the rising of the sun,” Mk 16:2, to hear the announcement of the angel, “He is
risen,” Mk 16:6.
Nor
should we miss the significance of what is recorded concerning David’s return over
Jordan. He was met by those whom he
described as “My brethren ... my bones and my flesh,” 1 Sa 19:12, the men of
Judah, meaning “He shall be praised.” The
Lord Jesus Christ deigns to call believers, “My brethren,” Heb 2:11; and Eph
5:30, reminds us that, “We are members of His body, of His flesh, and of His
bones.” Until that coming glorious
morning when we shall see Him face to face, it is our privilege to meet the risen
Lord on the first day of each week with what Judah represents: praise and worship.