
Typology
The relationship between the Old and New Testaments in the Bible is known as typology, and it explains how things, people, or events in ancient Israel foreshadow the actions of Christ and other New Testament events. The Bible contains both significant and subtle connections between the Old and New Testaments. This includes Mary as the New Ark of the Covenant, the relationship between Adam and Jesus, the relationship between Moses and Jesus, the Passover and the Eucharist, and a number of other examples. Many characters from the Old Testament serve as symbols for Christ's recurring themes. I'll focus on just one person right now, a young boy named Isaac.
​
There are many similarities between Isaac in the Old Testament, and Christ in the New Testament. Isaac was the only son of Abraham. Note that Abraham is called the Father of the Faith. When God takes Abraham outside in Genesis 15:5-6, to count the stars, how many stars does Abraham see? Well, considering it was still daylight; One, only the sun, which represents a son. Through this son, descendants will come forth. God the Father has only one Son, Jesus, who will bring the faithful back to God. God tests Abraham by asking him to sacrifice His son, Issac. (see Genesis 22:2). It is said that not just Abraham who was willing to follow God's Will, but Issac as well. Issac apparently accepted being given to God through a sacrifice and didn't resist. This foreshadowed the actions of Christ, how Christ accepted the death sentence and didn't pull back. It’s interesting to note as well that Abraham had faith that God would give Isaac back to Him and that they would return together (see Genesis 22:5). By the faith of Abraham, God would bless the descendants of Abraham. Through the resurrection of Christ, God blesses all future generations and brings them to the real promised land - Heaven.
​
As well as the actions that took place in this chapter of the Bible, we should take notice of the location. After God tells Abraham he does not need to sacrifice Isaac as a burnt offering, Abraham sees a ram caught in thorns and sacrifices the ram instead of Isaac. Can we think of something... or someone else who was “caught” in thorns before He died? Jesus, who wears the crown of thorns. Amazingly, both of these sacrifices took place at or around Mount Moriah, and funnily enough, Abraham names that place, “The Lord Provides” (Genesis 22:14) . By reading 2 Chronicles 3:1, we understand that it is on Mount Moriah where the Jerusalem temple was built; and where Jesus was sacrificed outside the temple wall. “King David, Solomon's father, had already prepared a place for the Temple. It was in Jerusalem, on Mount Moriah, where the Lord appeared to David, the place which Araunah the Jebusite had used as a threshing place. King Solomon began the construction”(2 Chronicles 3:1)