By Way of Reminder

It is from this fearful bondage that Christ delivered His people: through His grace, by His filling them “with all joy and peace in believing” (Rom. 15:13).

A beautiful and most complete type of the truth in our present verse is to be found in I Samuel 17. Will the reader turn to that chapter and note carefully the following details: First, in verses 4-8 there we have, in figure, Satan harassing the Old Testament saints. Second, where was David (type of Christ during the time Goliath was terrifying the people of God? Verses 14, 15 answer: In his father’s house, caring for his sheep. So through the Mosaic economy Christ remained on High, in the Father’s house, yet caring for His sheep. Third, Goliath defined Israel for “forty days,” verse 16 - figure of the forty centuries from Adan to Christ, when the Old Testament saints lived in fear of death, for “life and immortality” were only brought “to light through the Gospel” (2 Tim. 1:10). Fourth, next we see David leaving his father’s house, laden with blessings for his brethren, verses 17, 18. Note the “early in the morning,” verse 20, showing his readiness to go on this mission. Fifth, mark the sad reception he med with from his brethren, verse 28: his efforts were unappreciated, his purpose misunderstood, and a false accusation was brought against him. Sixth, in verses 32, 38-49, we have a marvelous type of Christ defeating Satan in the wilderness: note how David went forth in his shepherd character (verse 40 and compare with John 10). He took “five” stones out of the brook but used only one of them; so Christ in the Wilderness selected the Pentateuch as His weapon, but used only one of them, Deuteronomy. Note David slew him not with the stone! He stunned him with that, but slew him with his own sword: So Christ vanquished him that had the power of death “through death.” Read again verse 51 and see how accurate is the figure of Christ “Bruising” the Serpent’s head. Finally, read verse 52 and see the typical climax: those “in fear” delivered. What a marvelous Book is the Bible.