F.E. Marsh :: 282. Moriah

THERE are many typical characters in the Book of Genesis. Adam, typical of Him who is the last Adam, the Lord from Heaven. Melchisedek, typical of our High Priest. Joseph, typical of Christ as the Ruler and Provider. Isaac, typical of Christ as the Obedient One, even unto death.

1. Moriah, the typical place. (Genesis 22; John 3:16). There are many truths we might gather, but we point out this one.
   1. The love of Abraham for Isaac (Gen. 22:2). The first time the word “lovest” occurs in the Bible, is here, and it is typical of the love the Father has for Christ.
   2. The obedience of Isaac. He did not hesitate, but went at once. This is typical of Christ, who was obedient unto death (Phil. 2:8).
   3. The unity between Abraham and Isaac. “They went both of them together” (Gen. 22:6). This is typical of the unity there was between the Father and Christ. He finished the work the Father gave Him to do, and it was with, and by the Father He did the work.
   4. The burden of Isaac (Gen. 22:6). In Bagster’s Bible, the reference is John 19:17. It is significant. There we are told that Christ bare His cross, just as Isaac bore the wood. The cross is what Christ endured at the hands of man; but, as Peter said on the day of Pentecost, they were only carrying out the purpose of God.
   5. Isaac upon the Altar. He is in figure offered up, but Christ was in reality. “Hath given Himself for us, an Offering and a Sacrifice to God, for a sweet smelling savour” (Eph. 5:2).
   6. Isaac is in figure received from the dead (Heb. 11:19). Christ was raised from the dead in reality.
   7. The ram offered in the stead of Isaac (Gen. 22:13). Here we have substitution. Christ has died instead of every believer, and they shall never die for their sins. Distinguish between provision and substitution. Christ has made provision for all, by His death, but it is only those who receive Him that get the benefit of His work.
2. Moriah, the place of sin, judgment, and mercy (1 Chron. 21) David’s sin was in numbering the people without the atonement money. The Lord was displeased with David for numbering the people, and sent a pestilence that destroyed 70,000 of them. Why did God thus deal with His servant? Was David wrong in numbering the people? We think not. Where was the evil? In this. In Exodus 30:12, it says, “When thou takest the sum of the children of Israel, after their number, then shall they give every man a ransom for his soul unto the Lord, when thou numberest them; that there be no plague among them, when thou numberest them.” Now the sin of David was, that he did not call for the atonement money, and hence he broke a distinct command of God, and the consequent plague followed. What a rebuke to those who, to-day, are scouting the atonement, and pooh-poohing the blood-theology! As surely as the judgment fell upon Israel for their disobedience, so surely will it fall upon all those who scout the blood of Christ; for verily they trample beneath their feet the blood of God’s dear Son, and God shall treat them likewise. When David found out how he had sinned, he went up to the threshing-floor of Ornan, and there offered burnt and peace offerings; and then, and not till then, the angel put up his sword, and the plague ceased. The offering comes in between the offended and the offender, and the fire coming down upon the offering tells that the offended is satisfied and the offender is accepted.
3. Moriah, the place of purchase (1 Chron. 21:24-25; Eph. 1:7-14). David bought the threshing-floor of Ornan, and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver (2 Sam. 24:24); and the site of the Temple for six hundred shekels of gold (1 Chron. 21:25). David buying the site for the Temple reminds us of Christ, who has redeemed us, who believe in Him, not with corruptible things as silver and gold, but with His own precious blood. And as Moriah was purchased to erect a dwelling for God, so the believer is redeemed to be indwelt by the Holy Spirit.
4. Place of progress (1 Kings 6:7; Eph. 2:19-22). The building of the Temple is an illustration of the growth of the believer in Christ, and also the progress of the Church as a whole. Every sinner saved is another stone in the holy building.
   In 2 Peter 1:5-7, we have the building up of the character of the believer. Faith is the first stone on the foundation, and love is the top-stone. We might call these so many stones of faith:—

   Virtue is faith undaunted.

   Knowledge is faith apprehending.

   Temperance is faith overcoming.

   Patience is faith untiring.

   Godliness is faith imitating.

   Brotherly kindness is faith in practice.

   Love is faith at work.