Re: Old Testament Typology
Submitted by Splash! on December 17 2001 04:52:30
In reply to Old Testament Typology submitted by J on December 15 2001 19:07:14
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J, You've definitely done a lot of studying. The Eliezer & Holy Spirit connection is not easy to find. In Gen 24 we can definitely see some parallels between Isaac & Jesus, but to see more than that takes a little more insight, guidance, and study. As you said, we have to remember Eliezer is Abraham's chief servant from Gen 15 -- his name is not mentioned in Gen 24. And throughout the book of Genesis, names have VERY symbolic meanings. Eliezer meaning "helper, divine helper, God is my help/comfort, God of help" -- very similar to another name for the Holy Spirit, "Comforter" (John 14:26; 15:26; 16:7). [For further proof that names in Genesis are meant to be symbolic take a look at the line of descendants from Adam to Noah: Man (Adam) is appointed (Seth) mortal (Enosh) sorrow (Kanan) but The Blessed God (Mahalalel) shall come down (Jared) teaching (Enoch) his death shall bring (Methuselah) the despairing (Lamech) comfort/rest (Noah)]. Eliezer's sole purpose that day was to find Isaac a bride, and he specifically chose Rebekah to be Isaac's bride -- in the same way the Holy Spirit has chosen us to be the bride of Christ (2 Thess 2:13; Eph 1:4). Eliezer gave her gold rings and bracelets in the same way the Holy Spirit gives us many blessings, but what happened? Laban (who had his eyes on the materialistic things Eliezer brought, Gen 24:30) did not want Rebekah to leave right away (v.55) -- much like the world tries to hold us back from going to be with the Lord. But Rebekah (by her own choice) says, "I will go" (v.58). Rebekah left all she had to be with a man she'd never seen! What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's (1 Cor 6:19-20). And this is the duty or mission of the Holy Spirit (like Eliezer) -- to prepare the bride and bring the bride to the Lord. Neither the Holy Spirit, nor Eliezer (Gen 24:61), will return to the Lord empty-handed (Eph 1:13-14). Another thing that's interesting about Genesis 24 is that at the beginning of the chapter, Abraham is seemingly ready to die or thinks he's going to die, and this is when he sends Eliezer to get a wife for his son, Isaac. In comparison, Jesus only sends the Comforter (Holy Spirit) for his "bride" (the church) after he dies (John 16:7). Then in Genesis 24:10-15, Eliezer stops to pray (much like the Holy Spirit prays and intercedes for us), also praying that the bride be a woman of character (offering to give him AND all his camels water). In the same way, the Holy Spirit helps us to be people of good character, knowing this is what prepares us to be the bride of Christ. When Rebekah first sees Isaac it is said she "lifted up her eyes, and...she saw Isaac" (v.64), perhaps a foreshadowing of us, the bride of Christ, lifting up our eyes to see Jesus for the first time, when he returns in the clouds (Acts 1:11). This is the first time we see Isaac since he was "left" in the narrative as a sacrifice and/or "resurrected" (Gen 22). Now, here he is with his bride, Rebekah -- very similar to Jesus leaving this earth after having died and being resurrected, sending the Comforter (Holy Spirit) to be with his bride, and then Jesus returning to marry his bride, the church (Isaiah 54:5; Rev 19:9). Just as you said, After Jesus' resurrection, He ascended and was no longer physcially among His followers (cf. Luke 24:51; Acts 1:9). So, too, Isaac disappears from the narrative... Isaac's return to the narrative picture occurs when the servant's mission to find him a wife is complete (cf. Genesis 24:9-61). Isaac and Rebekah meet in a field and are subsequently married (cf. Genesis 24:62-67). Both Rebekah and the church were chosen for marriage (by God) before they knew it, were/are the focus of the purpose of Eliezer or the Holy Spirit, learn of a man they've never seen through Eliezer or the Holy Spirit, must choose on their own to be with a man they've never seen, must leave all they have to be with a man they've never seen, and later "lift up their eyes" to meet and then marry the man to whom they've been promised. Both Isaac and Jesus were promised seeds, their births foretold long before conception, given names before birth, born to women who weren't supposed to be capable of having children, offered as sacrifices, and next appeared (or will appear) to be with their brides. There are awesome parallels throughout Genesis. I'd love to share more. If this isn't big enough, I believe there's an even greater parallel between Jacob and Jesus: both being rejected by their own, handed over by their own, and then returning with power, eventually saving the lives of their own. I liked your mention of Stephen. I'm sure I've come across that parallel before, but it was good to be reminded of Stephen calling out to his God as Jesus had done, while at the same time asking forgiveness for those who had killed him (Luke 23:34; Acts 7:59-60 (also written by Luke)). You also said, Paul ties the mystery of marriage to our union with Christ and to the Genesis marriage narrative in a single thought: "'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.' This is a profound mystery -- but I am talking about Christ and the church" (Ephesians 5:31-32). I wonder how this also ties in with Paul saying that it is better for us to remain single (1 Cor 7:32). If we do have a wife (or partner), then is this seen as a type of idolatry since "he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife" (1 Cor 7:33)? Isn't the Lord supposed to be first in our lives? I guess this is why, once we are united, married, and made one with the Lord, there is no marriage in heaven (Mark 12:25). Some interesting things to think about, for sure. Like you, I've also had many "doors" slammed in my face. But, I thank God for that. When I look back on my life, I can see His hand in most everything -- building me into the man I should be, and guiding me into the places I should go. This place being one of them. Amen? It's interesting that you say supposed "errors" in scripture have not turned you away from your belief in the inerrancy of the Word but that this has caused you to dig even deeper and study to see why these things are so. I commend your faith that God is sovereign and true to keep His Word pure forever (Psalm 12:6; 1 Peter 1:25; Matthew 24:35; Eccl 3:14; Deut 7:8-9). So many too easily doubt the Word of the Lord. Without it, on what do we have to stand firm? Well, I better sign off for now. I look forward to hearing more from you. As for your other questions, I try not to be too specific in a forum such as this about my personal life, but I'll tell you that my music is mainly a hobby and hasn't had much exposure. The two projects I'm working on now are concept albums that I look forward to sharing with those I feel they will touch -- one CD being very spiritual. God Bless!! In the love of Jesus, Splash |
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