Jesus in the Old Testament: The Golden Thread of Scripture
“I’ve been studying the presence of Jesus in the Old Testament, and it’s changing the way I understand the Bible,” a friend shared as we sat in my living room on a winter afternoon.
“I can’t believe you just said that. I’ve been doing the same thing!” I exclaimed.
We spent the next 20 minutes talking about the remarkable symbolism of Jesus in the tabernacle and the ways various biblical accounts in the Old Testament pointed to Christ.
The study of Jesus in the Old Testament is often referred to as “typology,” a foreshadowing of Jesus and other New Testament themes in the Old Testament. Today, we’ll look at 20 profound “types” of Christ in the Old Testament as we examine the overarching story of Scripture: Humanity’s need for a perfect Savior and Redeemer.
Jesus in the Old Testament
Let’s dive into God’s Word as we consider the presence of Jesus in the Old Testament.
Finding Jesus in the Old Testament
1. Adam
Adam was the first human God created. He represents humanity. Through Adam, sin and death entered the world.
Jesus is referred to as the “last Adam” because he redeemed Adam’s failure (Romans 5; 1 Corinthians 15). Through Jesus, righteousness, life, and restoration are offered to humanity as free gifts.
Jesus reversed the curse of sin that Adam brought into the world by his death on the cross. At the cross, Jesus became the curse, bearing God’s wrath. This is love.
2. Abel
Abel is best known in conjunction with his evil brother, Cain. Cain murdered Abel after Abel brought a pleasing and acceptable sacrifice to God.
Abel’s death cried out for justice.
Jesus’ blood speaks a better word: mercy (Hebrews 12:24).
3. Noah
Noah built the ark that saved humanity during the flood.
Just as the ark preserved life from God’s judgment, Jesus is the refuge from God’s judgment. All who receive him are saved from the wrath of God.
4. Melchizedek
We don’t know much about Melchizedek, only that he was both a king and priest. Before Jesus came, priests were mediators between God and humanity.
Jesus became the ultimate mediator between God and humankind. When he died on the cross, God tore the curtain in the temple from top to bottom, showing that people were no longer separated from God. All who call on Jesus as Savior can boldly approach God in prayer, with no human mediator.
Jesus lives to intercede for us.
5. Moses
Moses typified Jesus, preparing the way and showing humanity’s need for a Savior. Jesus came to fulfill what Moses’ leadership could never do for us. By receiving Jesus’ forgiveness and asking him to lead our lives, we find salvation through him.
6. Joshua
Joshua led the people to a partial victory. They settled in the Promised Land, but the story was imperfect. They failed to drive out all the inhabitants, and they ultimately failed to fully keep God’s covenant, leading to discipline through exile.
Under Christ, our victory is complete. He defeated sin and death once and for all. All who call on his name are saved and delivered.
7. Isaac
Isaac was the miraculous son born to Abraham and Rebekah in their old age. He was the son of God’s promise. Abraham brought him before God to offer him on Mount Moriah.
God provided a ram for the offering instead.
This scene foreshadows God offering his Son for the atonement of all sins.
8. Joseph
Joseph was rejected by his brothers and sold as a slave. Later, he saved them during a time of famine and welcomed them to live alongside him in Egypt.
Like Joseph, Jesus was betrayed for silver. He suffered unjustly, but he later saved multitudes.
9. David
David was a shepherd who became king.
Jesus, the Greater Son of David, later became known as the Good Shepherd.
10. Solomon
Solomon built the temple and ruled in peace.
Jesus is the true King of peace, and he comes to dwell within his temple: through the Holy Spirit, he lives in the hearts of all who follow him.
11. Jonah
Jonah is best known for spending three days in the belly of a giant fish.
Jesus directly declared that Jonah’s time in the fish foreshadowed his three days in the tomb.
12. Boaz
Boaz was the kinsman redeemer, the closest family member who redeemed Ruth by marrying her. This foreshadows the way Jesus drew his bride, the church, from all nations and redeemed her. Jesus is the ultimate Kinsman Redeemer.
13. Ruth
Ruth was a Gentile bride who was brought into God’s family through her marriage to Boaz.
This foreshadowed the church as God drew it from all nations, inviting all people to receive Jesus and become the bride of Christ.
Let’s now look at some physical objects that represent Jesus in the Old Testament.
14. The Manna
When God’s people wandered in the wilderness for 40 years, God fed them with mysterious bread that fell from the sky.
Jesus later declared that he is the Bread of Life (John 6).
15. The Bronze Serpent
During their time in the wilderness, the Hebrew people were bitten by poisonous snakes. Their leaders created a bronze serpent and attached it to a pole. Everyone who looked at the bronze serpent survived.
Jesus declared that this foreshadowed his crucifixion (John 3:14-15). All who look to Jesus, receiving him as Savior and Lord, are saved.
16. The Tabernacle
As the people wandered in the wilderness, God called them to build a tabernacle, a temporary tent in which his spirit dwelled.
Jesus is God dwelling among us (John 1:14).
17. The Stone the Builders Rejected
Psalm 118 refers to a rejected stone becoming a cornerstone.
Jesus later applies this to himself.
18. The Suffering Servant
Isaiah 53 describes a suffering servant who suffers for the sins of others.
This is one of the clearest prophecies of Jesus’ sacrifice.
19. The Temple
Like the tabernacle, the temple represented God dwelling with people.
Jesus became the true temple, God in human form.
20. The Scapegoat
During the festival of Yom Kippur, one goat carried Israel’s sins into the wilderness.
Jesus carries our sins away completely.
Final Thoughts on Jesus in the Old Testament
The deeper we go in studying God’s Word, the more glaring this golden thread becomes. Scripture is the story of broken people who need a Savior and Redeemer.
Jesus is our Savior and Redeemer. Have you turned to him for deliverance and restoration?
If this exploration of Jesus in the Old Testament blessed you, I invite you to explore our family devotional books and library of free devotionals and eBooks below. May God grant you victory in life’s battles!
Calling All Parents and Grandparents!
As the parent of two sons and a daughter, I have a heart for helping parents develop deeper relationships with their children and with God. Our kids, ages 6, 11, and 15, share this vision. They have helped me write three family devotionals for parents or older relatives to read with the children and teens they love. You can find all three books here or read more below.
Attention All Boy Moms (and Dads)!
God’s Warrior: Devotions for Boys Who Want to Grow in Courage and Strength helps young boys, ages 5-13, learn what it means to trust God and become strong warriors for his kingdom. Now, more than ever, our world needs men who are willing to boldly carry God’s love into the world. I wrote this boys’ devotional book with our two young sons, Aiden and Caleb, ages six and eleven! You’ll enjoy their honesty as we teach boys how to be strong warriors for the Lord. Find this life-changing devotional book here.
Mother-Daughter Devotionals by a Mom and Daughter
Girl to Girl: 60 Mother-Daughter Devotions for a Closer Relationship and Deeper Faith is written for girls ages 7-12. It includes 60 devotions with Scripture, conversation starters, and a shared journaling section for moms and daughters after each devotion. I wrote this book with the help of our daughter, Bekah, when she was eleven. Find this one-of-a-kind shared devotional here.
Heart to Heart: A Mother-Daughter Devotional With 50 Devotions for Teen Girls is for teenage girls ages 13-20. It includes 50 devotions, each with a shared journaling section to help moms and daughters connect through writing. This is a great book for moms who want to communicate about awkward topics—like dating, sexuality, peer pressure, and more—but don’t know where to start. Bekah and I will help you right here.
Find Our Family Devotionals Here
Find all three books right here. They are also free on the Kindle Unlimited plan, which you can enjoy with a free three-month trial! These books make great gifts, and you don’t need to be the parent of young children to read them. Share them with your grandchildren, nieces, nephews, or the young ones you love.
A Free Devotional to Help You Discover Jesus in the Old Testament
Do you want to learn how to read the Old Testament and apply it to the challenges you face in your everyday life? In 30 devotions, my free devotional eBook, Timeless, will help you grow in God’s Word while applying it to your life. You’ll also learn how the entire Bible points to Jesus as we unpack fascinating symbolism linking the Old Testament to Christ. Download it for free with promo code JESUS here or consider offering a $4.99 donation to support this ministry. I also offer a library of free online devotional eBooks for free. I invite you to explore the collection right here!
