January 17 I Friday

Genesis 41-42

Matthew 12:1-23

“Therefore, since the promise of entering His rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it.”   —Hebrews 4:1

“Typology” is a New Testament truth that is portrayed in the Old Testament. It is both helpful and interesting to link Old Testament images and events to Jesus Christ. For example, in the Exodus story, there are several typologies that depict Christ as our Saviour, our sustenance and our life.

On the evening before the Israelites were released from bondage, each family was to sacrifice a year-old male lamb without defect and smear its blood on the doorframes of their houses. God’s last plague on Egypt was the angel of death, which would strike every Egyptian home, claiming their first-born son as well as the first-born of every animal, but would pass over Hebrew homes marked in blood. This was called “the Passover.”

The Israelites crossing the Red Sea on dry ground is a type of baptism, which Paul speaks of in the New Testament. “For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. They were all baptised into Moses in the cloud and in the sea” (1 Corinthians 10:1-2). This portrays a beautiful picture of baptism, because it is where the Israelites left their old master and came into new life and freedom.

In the wilderness, God fed His people with manna.
This was debated centuries later by Jews who said to Jesus, “Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat’” (John 6:31). Jesus answered, “I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, yet they died. But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which anyone may eat and not die” (John 6:48-50). The manna is also a picture of Christ. In addition, God caused fresh water to pour out from a rock. Paul writes, “…they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ” (1 Corinthians 10:4).

In the New Testament, Egypt is a picture of being bound in sin and the Exodus is coming out of sin. The Passover Lamb is Christ dying for us; the Red Sea is baptism into Christ; the manna from the sky and water from the rock is Christ Himself, and Canaan is a picture of rest in the sufficiency of Christ. This is a spiritual journey for every Christian, which involves combining the Gospel message with faith. We know we have come into Canaan when we are no longer anxious about today, tomorrow or any day. This not only speaks of our dependency on Christ, but living in the fullness of Christ.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I would like nothing more than to enter Canaan. Help me to live in Your fullness, completely dependent on and trusting of You. Thank You, Lord.