Hi, to allPreachingTC asked a question concerning bible typology. I put this study together awhile ago and thought some might like to see it here. I have come to see the bible as a love letter from God to His children. In other words, it is full of a “family” language. A simple way that I can describe what I’m trying to say is, I’m sure we have all gone to someone else’s families home, reunion or a office party and don’t know very many people in attendance. As we listen to the conversations, they can say a persons name or advent and everyone that is familiar with what or who was being spoken about can easily take the level of communication to a deeper level. If we have no ideal of what they are talking about there will be very little knowledge passed to us. We will be lost with no way of understand what is being said and in essence be left behind in the conversation. ….Communicating through commonly known “things” or types is not a new thing. Family and friends have always Communicate this way. The point here is the bible is made up with this type of communication and the only way to understand it is to know the bible. In short, Spiritual types or pictures that are in the bible are a special language of God…….. ….there is no limit to what can be seen when we go into the Word and search for knowledge. In my personal studies when I started to group Gods truths and types, and began to separate His objective facts/promises from His subjective facts/promises, the bible started to be much easier to understand and it didn’t seam like as big and as complicated as it once did. In other words, when the truths of God fit together making larger and more complete truths, they become easier to see. And when we line our self up with the ways that God speaks, spiritual growth happens at a much faster pace. Since learning these principles my relationship with God has became increasingly closer and my knowledge of Him clearer….Using “study in types” as the title of this post is little misleading. However, the word “type” to a person that studies the bible conveys to them that there is a study into the deeper meaning of the Word of God. A “study in the interpretation of bible scriptures” is probably closer to what this is. Types are one of the many ways that God communicates to His children. The words Midrash or Exegesis are probably a much better words for me to use then type. . What is Midrash and Exegesis?Midrash is a tool which encompasses many methods, as I understand it, all to the same goal: illustrating and revealing Scriptural doctrine...not bringing a new doctrine, but rather deepening understanding, by studying existing types and truths in the light of other Scripture. Eg. Midrashic interpretation of Biblical prophecy: in the Western mind prophecy is largely thought of as "prediction and fulfilment". But Midrashic interpretation shows that with typology there are repeating patterns and even multiple fulfilments of prophecy. Exegesis means- the extraction of correct biblical meaning. On the other hand, eisegesis is what many do today in ignorance because of faulty theological foundation - ie reading into the Scriptures things that are not there.What is a type? Type 1) A group of persons or things sharing common traits or characteristics that distinguish them as an identifiable group or class; a kind: category. 2) A example or model; embodiment. 3) A figure, representation, or symbol of something to come, as an event in the Old Testament that foreshadows another in the New Testament.….Types always go from lesser to greater and point to the antitype in Christ….An anti-type is the substance of which the type is a shadow. If we see Joseph (for example) as a type of Jesus Christ, then Jesus Christ would be the anti-type; ie, the actual substance to which the type points….They say that a picture is worth a thousand words. A type is a picture of sort. Types and Pictures are the same in that the knowledge that we have of its substance will coincide with the deepness of the meaning that can be seen. …. When we study types and are just looking at one word. All we need to do is look at what it is or used for. The meaning can also be found in a special characteristic or traits that it has. If it is a animal like a lion we know that strength will be at least part of the type. The definition will always be in its nature or usefulness. Also contrasts are not to be over looked when determining the full meaning of a type. By placing the meaning of Cain and Able together their contrast to each other will enhance each of their definitions. The different between a Cainite and a Sethite is a great study. Here is something that needs to be looked at, when we are looking at one thing like a sheep. Its type will generally be pointing to more of a subjective type and if we are looking at a flock it points to more of a objective type. Another example of this is in the words “man” and “men” or in a study of people like Cain and Able who are a single personality compared to a study on a group of people like Cainites.….Up to this point I have tried to explain how to find out the meaning of a type in one word …I hope that I have not confused you. My hope is you understand what a type or spiritual words are and to use this knowledge in your study of Gods Word….….The grouping of types or Gods truths is like putting a puzzle together. When you find pieces that fit together you will get a better ideal of what the picture is . Another way to understand the grouping of types can be seen in a bouquet of flowers. Someone with the knowledge of the meaning of each flower can send a very special message by selecting certain ones and placing them together. Bible types are like this. In both cases, If the receiver doesn’t understand the special meaning behind the symbol a lesser amount of the message will be passed on.…Here’s a example of grouping types., In Abraham, Isaac and Jacob we have three distinct and full types that can stand on their own. We would have had to already found each type first before they can then be grouped together. To make sure that this is clear, I will say it another way. First we will have to find the meaning of each of their distinct type, Abraham for example, we would have to have put together Abraham’s type. Then when we have each type (Abraham, Isaac and Jacob) completed, they can be grouped together to get a larger, deeper and complete picture. After learning this in a deeper way when you read in the bible that God is the “God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob” it means much more.Some important bible studying principles.God’s thought in everything that he does/did is with Jesus Christ and His Church, Body, Bride in view. If we study the Word and don’t keep this thought in mind, we will not “see all that is there.” So, Christ is the fulfiller of all true spiritual types and all types must lead to Him. If they don’t they are not true spiritual types…There are three ways to look at most if not all of Gods truths or types, one is the objective side, (for everything or everybody) the second is the subjective side. (for each person, individually or personally) and the third way to look at God’s truths is in the dispensational. Most of these are seen in the truths that contrast the Old Covenant with the New or Israel with the Church. The microscope is a good way to see this a little clearer. The subjective would be the closest setting or look at a truth with the objective look being a step back with a wider view and the dispensational an even wider view. In the early church they called these the inward. the outward and the dispensational truths. “First mentioned” is a very important principle to know. When your are reading the bible and a certain word stands out or catches your attention, go to your concordance an look up where the word is first mentioned or implied. Generally speaking God uses the purest ideal of a word, type or picture in the Bible the first time it is used. "Trigger'' words, phrases and concepts leading us from a narrative passage to other doctrinal passages. In the Bible when there is a reference to a specific word, place or name, God is most likely trying to convey a specific meaning. So when you are studying the bible and a certain word stands out, look the words up in different places in the bible. (using the parallel passages in your study Bible) You can also look up the same scripture in a couple of different translations of the Bible. “Contrasting words”. The number two is the number of division or points to unity. If two agree on something there is unity and if they disagree there is division. I believe there is knowledge to be learned by both of these. That’s why there is not only light but darkness also. Hagar’s type contrasting to Sarah’s is a good example of this. Hagar is the Old testament or law, the result of the work of the flesh (both in the subjective and objective form), she is also a picture of the Jewish nation. Sarah is the Spiritual, (subjective) Grace (objective) and the New Testament or Church. (dispensational) Take care, Mark
