LOOK & LIVE SEPTEMBER 10, 2023


AN INTRODUCTION TO TYPOLOGY

Typology (simple): An event in the Old Testament that points to Christ in the New Testament. In other words, God is telling a story within a story.
Typology (technical): A person, office, place, institution, event, or thing in salvation history that is fulfilled in Christ and spoken of in the New Testament.

1/ There is a typology that is specifically spoken to in the New Testament and there is a clear connection to Christ.
Jonah, Passover Lamb, High Priest, etc.

2/ There is a typology that isn’t specifically spoken to in the New Testament, but there is a clear connection to Christ.
Isaac, Rehab’s rope, scapegoat, etc.

3/ There is a typology that is an opposite connection to Christ.
Adam, etc.

4/ There is a typology that points to things other than Christ.
The flood is linked to water baptism, etc.

SCRIPTURE

“Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in Him.” John 3:14-15, NIV

They traveled from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea, to go around Edom. But the people grew impatient on the way; they spoke against God and against Moses, and said, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!” Then the Lord sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died. The people came to Moses and said, “We sinned when we spoke against the Lord and against you. Pray that the Lord will take the snakes away from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. The Lord said to Moses, “Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.” So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, they lived. Numbers 21:4-9, NIV

THE SERPENT and THE SAVIOR

1/ The snake bites physically killed those infected, just as sin spiritually kills those infected.
God allowed sinful people to die because of their refusal to repent and believe.
When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so (physical and spiritual) death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned. Romans 5:12
We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way. Isaiah 53:6
Not a single person on earth is always good and never sins. Ecclesiastes 7:20
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves. 1 John 1:8
You were dead in your transgressions and sins. Ephesians 2:1
In salvation, there is no moral scale of good and bad works, only Christ’s work.

2/ Moses was a mediator for Israel, just as Jesus was a mediator for us.
Time after time, Moses stood in the gap between the people and God.
There is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 2:5
“If only there were a mediator between us, someone who could bring us together.” Job 9:33

3/ The bronze serpent was without venom, just as Jesus is without sin.
The bronze serpent appeared like a snake on the exterior but had no venom.
God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21
Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.
1 Peter 3:18
But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities. Isaiah 53:5

4/ The bronze serpent was the only cure for the venom, just as Christ is the only cure for sin.
God offered the children of Israel only one means of healing and salvation.
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6
There is a false belief that a lost people can do something to help themselves.

5/ Israel’s physical healing required action and belief, just as our spiritual healing requires action and belief.
The only Israelites who lived, were those who looked. The word “look” is synonymous with “believe.”
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me will live (eternally), even though they die (naturally).” John 11:25
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9
But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God. John 1:12
“The gaze of the soul upon a saving God.” A.W. Tozer

6/ The bronze serpent was put on a pole and lifted up, just as Jesus was put on a cross and lifted up.
Moses raised the pole in the midst of the camp so all could see and be saved.
For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. Titus 2:11
“And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to Myself.” John 12:32
“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:13
Christ was physically elevated on a cross, in His resurrection, and in His ascension. And He is spiritually exalted in our worship, gathering, and preaching.
On the Day of Judgment, there will be no excuses for those who reject Christ. God has done all God can do to save lost rebels. Ultimately, He will allow them to go to their own destruction. it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, they lived. Numbers 21:4-9, NIV