Types, Shadows, and Christophanies in Genesis (Essay Sample)

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Types, Shadows, and Christophanies in Genesis
Jesus Christ is viewed as playing an integral role in the lives of believers especially because of offering the much-needed sacrifice for man’s redemption. However, not everyone including some believers- understands that Jesus Christ had appeared on earth even before being born to Mary. Christophany refers to pre-incarnate of Jesus Christ. On many occasions, Jesus appeared to different individuals, though not many recognized this fact instantly. In the Old Testament, Christophany can be recorded in many books including Genesis and even Daniel. As for this paper, the focus will be on Christophany, types, and shadows that occurred in the book Genesis. Also, the paper will highlight the interpretation for each type and Christophany.
Background: the book of Genesis
The book of Genesis is the first book appearing in the Old Testament; also the first of the Pentateuch. In its first chapters, the book explains how God created both the world and man. As for the word ‘Genesis,’ it is transliterated from a Greek word ‘Bereshith’ interpreted to mean ‘in the beginning.' Evidently, this interpretation is befitting the book given the account outlined in the 50-chaptered book. Besides, the creation, the book of Genesis highlights God’s original plan concerning man. Apparently, God intended to have an everlasting relationship or companion with man who had been created in the very God’s precious image.[Johnson, Kurt. 'Book Reviews'. genesis 49.4 (2011): 163-163.]
Since God gave man volition, this goal was not achieved owing to the indulgence of sin by Adam. Consequently, this relationship was severed, and man could no longer live eternally with God; death –both physical and spiritual- was inevitable.
Surprisingly, God decreed that despite man’s sin a woman’s seed, referring to Jesus Christ- would trample the serpent- a typology of Satan (Genesis 3:15). Later in the book, the effects of sin continue to be felt when Cain kills Abel, Sodom and Gomorrah engage in insurmountable abomination. Essentially, the book of Genesis could be divided into eight sections. The first is the creation of the universe appearing in chapters one and two. Secondly, the Garden of Eden is described in chapter two up to the 17th verse. From verse 18 to 25 of the same chapter, the creation of woman is elaborated followed in chapter three by the fall of man. The story of Cain and Abel appears in the fourth chapter with the Adam to Noah generations explained in chapter five. People’s wickedness, consequences, and Noah’s ark are all in chapter six to nine. The book’s last chapter details the life of Joseph including the demise in Egypt.
Type of Christ in Genesis and meanings
A ‘type’ refers to a biblical place or a person that prefigures a future biblical place or person. In the book of Genesis, types of Christ appear severally. Adam is a typology of Christ in a very intriguing way. While Adam was formed from the dust, Eve’s existence came through Adam. God made Adam fall asleep and created Eve from the latter’s rib (Gen. 2:22). Here, Adam was a typology of Christ in the sense that there was sleeping, often interpreted as death that helped in the creation of a new being. Jesus Christ, upon death and resurrection, made believers new creation which is precisely what happened with Adam and Eve. Therefore, this scenario in Genesis could be viewed as a typology of Jesus Christ and man’s eternity. Though somewhat hidden, it is widely concurred with that this event in Genesis is a clear typology of Christ.[McCall, Bradford. 'Christophany: The Fullness Of Man'. Mission Studies 26.2 (2009): 251-252.] [Ehlert, Arnold, and Henry M. Morris. The Genesis Record: A Scientific and Devotional Commentary on the Book of Beginnings. Grand Rapids, Mich: Baker Books, 2009.]
Interestingly, the Noah’s ark is another type of Christ but is not often viewed as such. In the story found in Genesis chapter 6 to 9, there was only one ark same way there is only one Christ. Secondly, it was only in the ark that people got refuge from the devastating destruction occasioned by sin. Also, the admission to the ark was not dependent on anything, but obeying the instruction of Noah; everybody was welcome to enter the ark. Again, the ark would shield only the people in it from the wrath of God. As explained above, it is not hard to see the reason for the ark being a type of Christ. In the book of Revelation, the Bible states that only Jesus was found worthy to open the book of life (Rev. 5:4). Still, the name of Jesus was exalted above all other names, and salvation is only through Jesus Christ; not actions or through any other person.[Capetz, Paul E. 'The Old Testament As A Witness To Jesus Christ: Historical Criticism And Theological Exegesis Of The Bible According To Karl Barth'. The Journal of Religion 90.4 (2010): 475-480]
Shadows of Christ and meaning
Concerning shadows of Christ, the book has plenty of them starting with the life of Joseph. First, a shadow is a vivid term explaining more about a future thing. For instance, a human shadow tends to occur before the appearance of the exact person. While the image is not precisely the individual, it outlines that which is to come. Joseph in the book of Genesis was not, by any means, Jesus Christ, but the events occurring in this Jacob’s son would be replicated in Christ’s. First in Genesis 37:5, Joseph received a vision through dreams from God, and the siblings showed resentment. Here, this is a shadow of how Jesus would receive instructions from God and, subsequently, be hated by the Jews who were own people.
Further, Joseph was sold into slavery without any sin yet would eventually offer solace to the same brother during a famine. The explanation here is that Jesus would suffer, though sinless, for man’s sin and provide the latter the precious eternal life. When at Potiphar’s place, Joseph was tempted but remained faithful to God. Similarly, the devil tempted Christ at the wilderness, but Jesus stood firm by choosing to do that which was right before God (Matthew 4:1-11).
The second shadow of Christ entailed when God created the world; the light was one of the things to be created (Genesis 1:5). Here, this light was a shadow of Christ because Jesus is the light of the world (John 1:4-5). Additionally, life on earth was confirmed on the third day (Genesis 1:9-13). While it might seem coincidental that God confirmed life on the third day, it is not the case. It was noted that this was meant to establish the resurrection of Christ later in the New Testament, an event that granted humanity a second chance for eternity.
Also, the term ‘seed of the woman’ used by God in pronouncing punishment onto the devil referred to the Jesus Christ. Upon deceiving Eve, God told Satan that, And I will put enmity between thee (Satan) and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel" (Genesis 3:15). It is, further, argued that this term represented Christ because God would grant the Savior power to subdue Satan with regard to the issue of sin. The same way Satan had deceived a woman, God vowed to use the same woman to defeat Satan.[Cavedon, Matthew P. 'The Form Of Jesus Christ: A Balthasarian Conversation'. SSRN Electronic Journal n. pag.]
Christophanies and meanings in Genesis
There are a couple of sessions that Christ appeared to individuals and some recognized the Lord and distinguished from the angels. For instance, when Sarah expelled Hagar, the latter met with an angel of the Lord, who was most likely the Christ. This assertion is informed by the promise delivered by the angel concerning Hagar’s future descendants. The Bible records the angel saying, "I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude (Gen. 16:11). This scripture confirms that this was Christ because the woman, upon discovering it was Jesus speaking responded, "You are the God who sees me," (Gen. 16:13). It could be interpreted that Jesus appeared to this woman to provide hope as it seemed Hagar did not have a future. Having been chased from the one place called home, Hagar needed a solace.
By the same token, humanity- through sin just like Hagar- has lost its way and alienated from God. Subsequently, humanity is lost eternally unless a savior emerges, and this is precisel...