Shadows of Messiah

"Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me." - John 5:39

We are told that the "scriptures" (ie. the Tenakh, or "old testament") contain allusions, shadows, and types of the Messiah. Jesus Himself confirms it in the above verse. So, with that in mind I wanted to share, from time to time, some "shadows" that I have found, or at least give examples that I have read from others, along with some that are an amalgamation of my observations with others.

Here is one example from my journal on 03/27/08. I'm just going to copy it straight out of my journal -

"This weeks Parasha (Torah portion of the week) is Sh'mini - Lev. 9:1-11:47. It begins with the sacrifices that Aaron and the Priests offered for themselves, and for all of Israel. Last weeks Parasha ended with Aaron and his sons being set apart for 7 days prior, in order to be set apart (that they might not become "unclean") and consecrated to the LORD. This weeks Parasha, Sh'mini, means "eighth", and it was on the eighth day that the Priests were called forth to offer sacrifices for Israel. The pattern is that in ch. 9, verses 1-21, we read of the various sacrifices being offered. Then, in verse 22 we read: "And Aaron lifted up his hand toward the people, and blessed them (we read of the specific blessing in Num. 6:23-27)...." Next, in verse 23, Moses and Aaron go into the Tabernacle. So the pattern is: 1) sacrifices are offered 2) bless the people 3) ascend into Tabernacle.

In Luke 23, we read of the death of Yeshua. We are taught in the New Testament that Yeshua's death was/is an atoning sacrifice (cf. Heb. 7:27; 9:11-15; 10:10,12,14 et al). In Luke 24, Yeshua is resurrected, and in verse 50 of ch. 24 we read: "And He led them (His disciples) out as far as to Bethany, and He lifted up His hands, and blessed them." Then, in verse 51 it says "...while He blessed them, He was parted from them, and carried up into heaven." We know that the true Tabernacle, which the LORD pitched, is in heaven (cf. Heb. 8:1,2), which is where He ascended to. So the pattern is 1) He Himself is the offered sacrifice 2) He blesses His disciples 3) He ascends into the heavenly Tabernacle.

Aaron was the High Priest in the wilderness Tabernacle. Yeshua is our High Priest in the Heavenly Tabernacle (cf. Hebrews to read of Yeshua's Priesthood). Isn't the bible amazing! We could spend forever finding these correlations, and in fact, God intends for us to do so. It is for our benefit, not only to learn of God Himself, but to learn of His patterns; His ways, so that we can direct our steps accordingly. The Israelites went to Aaron and His sons as mediators for them before God. We are to go to Yeshua our mediator (cf. 1 Tim. 2:5), gaining access through Him directly into the "throne of grace" (Heb. 4:16). We know that our prayers will be heard, not because of us, but because of our Great High Priest, Yeshua the Messiah!

.j.