Christ in the Old Testament

Genesis 6:18

But I will establish my covenant with you, and you will enter the ark—you and your sons and your wife and your sons’ wives with you. (NIV)

Today’s Reading: Genesis 6:5-22, Matthew 24:36-44 and 1 Peter 3:18-22

Throughout our study this year we will look at lots of symbols. Some symbols are very clearly pointing to Jesus. Many of the New Testament writers explain these symbols and even Jesus himself tells us at times how these symbols represent him. But there are lots of symbols of Christ that aren’t directly pointed out to us.

Let me take a moment to explain my position on symbols and in particular the symbols that aren’t directly explained by Scripture. Scripture tells us that:

1. God’s ways are higher than our ways (Isa 55:8-9)
2. The Old Testament law is only a shadow of reality (Heb 10:1).

I believe that when God speaks to us or has His hand in events, there are likely multiple meanings. The depth of His words and actions are beyond our understanding so it’s not unreasonable to imagine that something God does or says can mean multiple different things. Now that doesn’t necessarily mean that the meaning we attribute to a symbol is the only meaning or even an actual meaning that God intended. But it could be. So we are going to explore these symbols by keeping in mind that we aren’t claiming the meanings to be facts but simply possibilities.

The flood is one of this instances where there seems to be so many parallels to Christ that we must stop and at least take a brief look at some of them. Peter tells us in 1 Peter that the flood “water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also.” So if the water symbolizes baptism, what other symbols might be hidden in the flood?

1. Ark – The Hebrew word for ark is tebah. This word is translated as ark, chest or basket. This is the same word used for the basket Moses was placed in by his mother to float in the Nile River to save his life.
2. Cypress wood – Cypress wood doesn’t decay. Interestingly enough because of this trait, the ancients built their coffins out of cypress wood. The ark certainly reminds us of the death of the old world and could symbolize our spiritual death in baptism.
3. Pitch – Noah was commanded to coat the ark with pitch inside and out. This pitch would seal the ark from the water. The Hebrew word for pitch is translated elsewhere in the Bible as atonement.
4. 17th day Nisan – The ark rested on the 17th day of the 7th month which is the month of Nisan (Gen 8:4). What else happened on that day? A bunch if you want to Google all of it! Two major events that occurred on 17 Nisan are that this is the same day the Israelites left Egypt and crossed the Red Sea and it’s also the same day Jesus rose from the grave. A significant day indeed!
5. Grace – “Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.” The Hebrew word for favor is also translated as “grace.” It was by grace that Noah was saved.
6. Dove – Noah sent out a dove to see if the water had receded (Genesis 8:6-12). As Jesus came up out of the water at his baptism, the Holy Spirit depended on him like a dove (Mark 1:10). The dove represents the Holy Spirit but is also said to represent a new beginning. It certainly was a new beginning for Noah after the flood and baptism is a new beginning for us as well.

There is so much more to say about each one of those symbols! But we will leave it here for today. I think my takeaway from all of this is that God is in control. He has the whole world in His hands. And that’s good for us because we also know that “in all things God works for the good of those who love him.” (Rom 8:28) God is good and that is good for us!

Today’s Prayer: Lord, thank you that you are in control and I am not! Your ways are so much higher than my ways. Help me to trust that all things are for my good even when it doesn’t seem that way.