MasterTruth

David's Last Class Act

Today is the last day of 2022, and I’m finishing a year of studying David as a type of Christ from 1 and 2 Samuel. In the next to the last chapter of 2 Samuel (chapter 23) I posted last time of David’s last words in verses 1-5 and how they were obviously prophetic of Christ. As I meditated on that, I realize it underscores how David, king of the Jews, mimicked Jesus, King of the Jews. Both were not only kings, but prophets.

Now I’ve ended up in chapter 24, the last chapter. If chapter 23 was David’s last words, what was there left to finish off with in chapter 24? I read with anticipation, because there must be a hidden gem to cap off David’s life as type of Christ. And here it is:

After David’s last kingly words in chapter 23, he ends by offering a sacrifice to atone for the sins of the people. The end of chapter 24 (verses 16-25) is very much about Araunah’s threshing floor where the angel of the Lord told David to build an altar. In fact, Araunah’s threshing floor is so overstated, it shouts something. But what? So, how’s this for a Bible study method? I Googled, In the Bible, where was Araunah’s threshing floor? In bold letters, the answer came back Mount Moriah. Oh! That’s the same place Abraham offering Isaac and where Jesus was crucified to make atonement for the sins of the world. With all this in mind, I pondered (the biblical word is meditated) and came up with these concluding thoughts:

• David, king of the Jews, who was also a prophet (many of his Psalms were prophetic), ended his life by acting also as priest in offering a sacrifice. Christ’s last act was priestly. He Himself became the sacrifice.
• In the next to the last verse, David refused Araunah’s offer of a free sacrifice animal. The king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing. Doesn’t that piece of the story make sense now? He’s picturing something. Christ’s sacrifice cost Him everything.
• The very last verse says this: And David built there an altar unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So the LORD was intreated for the land, and the plague was stayed from Israel. Prophetically, without Christ’s sacrifice, the plague of death because of sin would have no end.
• The Bible is not “all about me.” Capture this. David was king of the Jews. It was the sins of the nation of Israel that he was atoning for (the last chapter begins with this: And again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel.) Don’t forget where we are in 1 and 2 Samuel. The Old Testament is written to and about the Jews, and for our learning.
• In the New Testament, Christ’s sacrifice wasn’t just for the Jews. It was for the world (John 3:16). But never forget, one of Christ’s titles is King of the Jews, and His atonement was just as much for Israel as a nation, which they will realize all at once in the future. (Jer. 31:34) And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.

I just find the Old Testament so glorious with pictures of Jesus woven in and out of the stories like a hologram. I’m learning that when things don’t make sense or seem a little off or are emphasized beyond what seems necessary, there’s a gem of Jesus under it all.

I remember decades ago confessing to my pastor that I had no desire to read the Old Testament. It just seemed boring and like it didn’t apply. He told me to pray for a desire to read it. I did, and suddenly it was more interesting. And over the years, it has become even more interesting as I see the pictures God paints through the history—miraculously—like what I’ve just pointed out. I encourage you to read 1 and 2 Samuel looking for ways David pictures Jesus. You’ll fall deeper in love with the Lord, and you will feed your hungry soul.

Jody

Who is the Greatest Type of Christ in the Bible?

The words of Jesus as He was incognito with the two disciples on the road to Emmaus are instructional about the idea of types in the Old Testament. When the disciples displayed their stunning lack of understanding about the death and resurrection of Jesus, He finally opened their eyes and revealed His identity. And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. (Luke 24:27) No doubt, He opened their eyes to the types of Him in the Old Testament, because He’s not specifically named there.

So, who is the greatest type of Jesus in the Old Testament? Some say Joseph and/or Daniel, because no sin is ever recorded about either of them. That is one plausible speculation. As I’ve studied, I have an educated guess about who is the most significant type of Christ in the Old Testament. But first, consider these three things:

1) In our discussion here, a type is a shadow or proxy for Jesus. Look for who best “stands in” for Jesus if you carry that character’s role forward to Christ. Who best pictures Him?

2) Jesus is multi-dimensional. He’s more than Savior (Joseph is a good picture of Jesus as Savior). He is also Prophet (Moses is a great OT type of Jesus as prophet. So is Daniel). Jesus is Priest. (Melchizedek is a great type of Jesus as priest, though some say he’s actually the pre-incarnate Christ, so perhaps Aaron as type of Christ as priest). And Jesus is/will be King. King David is an apt proxy for Jesus in the OT. Thus, there are multiple types of Jesus in the Old Testament.

3) The theme of the Bible presents a great clue as to who is the greatest type of Christ in the Old Testament. By the way, what is the theme of the Bible? Hint: It is not “Jesus died for me.” Rather, it is Jesus sitting on the throne ruling and reigning. He did that in the past and will again in the future. Meanwhile, He left His throne in heaven, came to earth to accomplish God’s plan for the salvation of mankind, rose again, and in the end, He will be back on His throne ruling and reigning as King of King and Lord of Lords in His Kingdom.

Here's the theme of the Bible in two verses, looking forward to the ultimate future. For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.  Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. (Isaiah 9:6-7)

Now, back to our question. Who is the greatest type of Christ in the Old Testament? In light of the theme of the Bible, which is His kingdom, it’s David as king. Notice the reference to David in the verses above. I’ve been studying the life of David for the past year, and I’ve seen him as a type of Christ over and over.

But I finally reached the end of David’s life in my study the other day, and I noticed something that cements him as the greatest type of Christ. His last words, compared to Christ’s last words.

• David’s last words were prophetic of him as a type of Christ (because, surprise, David was not only king, he was a prophet) Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said, The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue. The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God. And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds; as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain. Although my house be not so with God; yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure: for this is all my salvation, and all my desire, although he make it not to grow. (2 Sam 23:1-5)
• In Christ’s last words, He equates Himself with David. I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. (Rev. 22:16) And in verse 20, Surely I come quickly.

Here’s a Bible study tip. In your daily devotions, pick a book of the Bible or a Bible character and read—looking for something in particular. I picked David from 1 and 2 Samuel earlier this year and read with one thing in mind each day. “How does David picture Christ in this chapter?” And I took notes on my computer. It was a rich study, learning about Jesus from a different perspective.

Jody