August 14, 2005

Cawson St. Church of Christ

Hopewell, Virginia

Mural Worthey

 

Types and Shadows--#3

“Testaments”

 

Introduction

 

   The types and shadows point to the real thing—the Body of Christ.  (Col. 2:17.)  Shadow is skia and body is soma in Greek.  There are several important things that foreshadow our redemption in Jesus Christ.  Some of them are: the serpent on the pole, the blood sacrifices for sin, the scapegoat, the flood waters of Noah’s day which are a figure of NT baptism, the Israelites’ baptism in the cloud and in the sea, Moses as the mediator of the OT, Joshua who led the children of Israel into the Promised land and whose name means Jesus, the church in the wilderness, and some many others.

 

   I have chosen, testaments, as the shadow for our study.  Here is the text:

 

For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of a testator.  For a testament is of force after men are dead; otherwise, it is of no strength at all while the testator lives.  Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood.  For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book and all the people, saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.  (Hebrews 9:16-20.)

 

Two Shadows

 

   The Hebrew writer said, For where a testament is (that is, any testament).  But when he continued he described more specifically the first testament.  But there are things that are true of any testament, human and divine.  The main elements of a testament are these: the testament refers to the will or contract written by the testator, the testament is written with the future in mind, the death of the testator, recipients of the will, and blessings and material wealth inherited.  Human wills have all of these parts, and the OT can be understood in the form of a testament.  Think about how the OT is a testament.

1)     All testaments are sealed with blood; that is, the death of someone.  In this case, it is the death of animals.  The blood of animals was sprinkled on all the vessels of ministry, the book, and the people.  We know that the blood of animals could not take away sin.  (Hebrews 10:4.)  It was used temporarily to foreshadow the blood of Jesus Christ which can take away sin.

2)     The testator is not an animal, but God gave the first testament as he did the second.  Moses is named as the mediator of the first testament, but Moses did not die to establish that covenant.  (Hebrews 9:19.)

3)     The recipients of the blessings of that covenant were both the Jews and Gentiles.  The Gentiles were included in the promises of God.  The children of Abraham are the recipients, but not just the physical seed.  “They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.”  (Rom. 9:8.)  “And if you are Christ’s, then are you Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise.”  (Gal. 3:29.)

4)     What are the blessings?  The things bequeathed? God promised Abraham that he would bless all nations through his seed.  The “health and wealth” preachers among us believe that the blessings are primarily physical, earthly, and monetary.  The blessings are greater than these.  Would Jesus die to give us money??  The essence of the Gospel is spiritual and eternal.  Yes, we will have life and have it more abundantly.  (John 10:10.)  It has to do with freedom from the power and bondage of sin.  That is the meaning of Hebrews 10:4.

5)     The elements of a testament show how closely connected the first and the second testaments are.  The whole sacrificial system of the OT was a shadow of the coming death of Jesus Christ for man’s redemption.  The OT alone had nothing to offer as far as redemption.  What was bequeathed under the first testament is really the same as the New Testament.  The Hebrew writer spoke of “the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament.”  (9:15.)

 

   A human testament is less complex than the Old Testament.  A testator makes a testament and upon his death what he wills is given to those named in the will.  In the OT, you have the blood of animals.  Animals cannot make wills or leave inheritances.

 

   One of the big questions concerning wills is, Who are the recipients?  We know what is usually contained in a will—it is what the one departed has left behind.  It is his material possessions—land, houses and money.  But who receives it.  In human wills, the answer is simple—those within the family.  There may be exceptions to that rule, but generally most people know that if they are not in the family, they should not expect to be a recipient of the possessions.  Sometimes, even some in the family may not receive anything.  The testator has the sole right to leave what he wants to whomever he desires. 

 

The New Testament

 

   Who are the recipients of the will of Jesus Christ?  Jesus died and left a testament.  The blessings are forgiveness, eternal life, freedom from consequences of Adam’s Fall, the curse and death.  We can sum up who the recipients are simply by saying that they are those who are in the family.  If you are a part of the family, you will receive an inheritance.  Here are some important biblical things we should know about inheriting God’s blessings.

 

      1) The children of the flesh are not counted as seed, but the children of promise are so counted.  (Rom. 9:8.)  Why is that so important?  The nation of Israel should not think that they are the only ones in the family of God just because they are the physical descendants of Abraham.  In fact, they will be left out of the inheritance unless they also walk in the steps of the faith of Abraham.  Those who are in the flesh, physically and spiritually, will be excluded.  2) We should not be surprised that many people quarrel over inheritances.  It happens often.  Religious people are no exception.  If you ask this group, they will invariably say, We are the only ones who will receive the inheritance, but those folks over there will not.  3)  It should not surprise us that, as children, we make up rules to exclude others from inheriting.  Why?  We do so because that will mean that we will receive more!  But in the case of the will of Jesus Christ, you will not and cannot receive anything more.  One cannot receive more than eternal life.  4) Remember that the testator is the one who says who will receive the inheritance.  The children do not make those decisions.  “Who art thou that judges another man’s servant?  To his own master he stands or falls.  Yea, he shall be held up, for God is able to make him stand.”  (Rom. 14:4.)  5)  What if the will was so filled with requirements that one could not determine if one was included or not?  Would that not be strange indeed?  In a will, your name is included.  God wants everyone to receive eternal life.  (1 John 5:11-12.)  How does one become a part of the family and remain a part?  We are all children of God by faith in Jesus Christ.  (Galatians 3:26-29.)  The inheritance is freely given by grace.

 

 Testament-Shadow Applied

 

   This illustration and shadow is applied in several places in the Bible.  These applications of a testament help us to see what is involved and answer some of the difficult questions about who receives the inheritance.

 

   The OT father with two sons.  Abraham had two sons: Ishmael and Isaac.  (Gal. 2:21-31.)  Ishmael was born of the born woman and of the flesh.  Isaac was born of the free woman and of promise.  Hagar made Sarah feel ashamed because she could not bear a son for Abraham.  Sarah cast out the bondwoman and her son.  Sarah had a son by promise, not of the flesh.  Paul wrote that we are like Isaac; we are children born of the Spirit of God and by God’s promise and grace.  We are not children of the flesh.  The Arabs have long despised and hated Israel, the descendants of Isaac.  Unfortunately, Israel today is just as fleshly and political as the Arab nations.  The children of Abraham are those who walk by faith.  Keep in one’s memory a long list of descendants means nothing concerning who will inherit the blessings as children of Abraham.  It is by faith and grace, not by flesh and genes.

 

   The NT father with two sons.  Unfortunately, this story has become known as the story of the prodigal son.  It includes much more than that.  It is really a story about a father with an inheritance and two sons who are set to inherit those possessions.  (Luke 15:11-32.)  Think about this story from that viewpoint.  What is different about this example is that the father does not die.  The younger son demands his inheritance before his father’s death—something that he had no right to do.  The possessions belonged to the father until his sons became of age or until his death.  The younger son wasted his inheritance with riotous living.  The older son and brother quarreled with his father because the younger son was welcomed back.  The father replied to the older son, All that I have is yours.  You could have had a party with your friends anytime that you wanted.

 

   We find in this story the answer to the question, Who inherits the possessions?  Children in the family inherit.  The father has the sole right to will whatever he wants to his children.  The father is generous beyond measure.  He even amazes the younger son with his love and grace.  He welcomed him back and gave him the best robe.

 

   Why did Jesus tell this story?  He told it because the Pharisees and scribes were murmuring over Jesus eating with and receiving sinners.  This is a common mistake that many make religiously.  They try to tell God who will inherit and who will not.  That is not our business.  The testator will decide that matter.  In the Bible, those who try to make such decisions are always rebuked for so doing.

 

   This story also tells us what the inheritance is and what is at stake.  The younger son was described as being dead, but now alive again.  He was lost, but now is found.  The father said that it was suitable that we give him a party and make merry.  The angels rejoice when a sinner repents and comes home.  God is ready to receive sinners.  The inheritance is not about money, land and houses.  It is far more valuable than that.  It is about life and happiness.

 

Conclusions

 

   Someone asked Jesus to speak to his brother so that he would divide the inheritance with him.  Jesus asked him, Who made me a ruler or divider among you?  Then Jesus said, Take heed and beware of covetousness, for a man’s life consists not in the abundance of things that he possesses.  (Luke 12:13-15.)  Remember that the physical will and its blessings are only a metaphor or shadow of the real testament and will.  We should seek those blessings within the New Testament.  Jesus said, “This is the blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”  (Matt. 26:28.)