The Israelites living during Old Testament times would not have understood the types of Christ with the same clarity that we now have through the completed revelation of Scripture. However, they would have had a growing understanding and anticipation of the coming Messiah based on God’s promises and the unfolding of redemptive history. Here’s a detailed look at what they likely understood and how their expectations developed:
General Awareness of a Coming Deliverer
From the very beginning, after the fall, God promised a Redeemer in Genesis 3:15—the Seed of the woman who would crush the serpent’s head.
Israelites likely understood this as a promise of deliverance, though the specifics were vague. The concept of a singular figure who would defeat evil and restore God’s creation was foundational.
Progressive Revelation through Covenants
The covenants God made with key figures progressively revealed more about the Messiah. Israelites would have understood these promises and awaited their fulfillment:
- Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 12:1-3, 22:18): God promised Abraham that through his offspring (seed), all nations would be blessed. Israelites would recognize this as a promise of a universal blessing, though they might not have fully understood how it pointed to a singular Messiah.
- Davidic Covenant (2 Samuel 7:12-16): God promised David an eternal throne through one of his descendants. By David’s time, the Israelites had a more specific expectation of a royal Messiah who would rule forever.
- Mosaic Covenant and Sacrificial System: The detailed laws and sacrifices given at Sinai foreshadowed the need for atonement, pointing to a greater sacrifice. Faithful Israelites likely saw the sacrificial system as a temporary solution, anticipating a final deliverance from sin.
Prophetic Insights into the Messiah
The prophets played a key role in shaping Israel’s understanding of the coming Messiah:
- Isaiah: Spoke of the “Suffering Servant” (Isaiah 52:13–53:12) and the virgin-born “Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14). These prophecies revealed that the Messiah would suffer for sin and bring divine deliverance.
- Jeremiah: Promised a new covenant where God’s law would be written on hearts (Jeremiah 31:31-34).
- Micah: Identified Bethlehem as the birthplace of the coming ruler (Micah 5:2).
- Daniel: Prophesied about the “Son of Man” receiving eternal dominion (Daniel 7:13-14).
Through these prophecies, Israelites would have developed a picture of a coming King, Deliverer, and Redeemer, though they may not have fully grasped the Messiah’s dual role as both suffering servant and reigning king.
Partial Understanding of Types
While Israelites may not have explicitly identified the typological connections we now see in hindsight, they likely recognized patterns that hinted at the Messiah:
- Priests and Sacrifices: They knew the high priest mediated between God and man and that sacrifices atoned for sin. These concepts pointed to the need for a greater and permanent atonement, though they likely did not envision the Messiah as the ultimate High Priest and Lamb.
- Kings: David and Solomon were seen as partial fulfillments of God’s promises. However, the failures of Israel’s kings would have highlighted the need for a perfect and eternal King.
- Prophets: The faithful knew that prophets brought God’s word, but the idea of a Messiah who would be the ultimate Prophet was likely less clear.
Messianic Hope in Practice
By the time of the later prophets and intertestamental period, the hope for a Messiah was firmly entrenched. Expectations varied but generally included:
- Deliverance from Oppression: Many anticipated a political and military leader who would restore Israel’s sovereignty.
- Restoration of the Davidic Kingdom: The Messiah was seen as a descendant of David who would reestablish Israel’s glory.
- Spiritual Renewal: Faithful Israelites anticipated that the Messiah would bring true righteousness and peace.
Limitations of Their Understanding
The Israelites’ understanding was limited by their historical context and the progressive nature of God’s revelation:
- Blurred Roles of the Messiah: They struggled to reconcile the prophecies of a suffering servant with those of a conquering king. Many did not understand that these roles would be fulfilled in one person, Jesus, at two different times (His first and second comings).
- Spiritual Nature of His Kingdom: Many expected a Messiah who would establish an earthly kingdom, not realizing that Christ’s kingdom is spiritual and eternal.
How the New Testament Clarifies
In hindsight, the New Testament reveals how Christ fulfills all the types and shadows of the Old Testament. Jesus Himself taught this to His disciples:
- Road to Emmaus: Jesus explained how Moses and the Prophets pointed to Him (Luke 24:27).
- Hebrews: The book of Hebrews explicitly connects Old Testament types (e.g., the sacrificial system, the priesthood) to Christ.
- Paul’s Writings: Paul frequently identifies Adam, the law, and other figures as types fulfilled in Christ (Romans 5:12-21; Galatians 3:16-19).
Conclusion: Anticipation and Fulfillment
Old Testament believers had genuine but incomplete expectations of the Messiah. They looked forward in faith, trusting in God’s promises without fully understanding how they would be realized. By studying Scripture through the lens of Christ’s completed work, we can better appreciate how God revealed His redemptive plan progressively and marvel at its fulfillment in Jesus. To interpret types of Christ today, we follow the principle of reading all Scripture as centered on Him (John 5:39; Luke 24:44-45).
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