F.E. Marsh :: 396. The Book of Genesis (Book of Typical Persons)

A BOOK OF TYPICAL PERSONS.

WHAT one has said of the whole Bible may well be applied to this book.

“This Book contains:—The mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its stories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveller’s map, the pilgrim’s staff, the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s sword, and the Christian’s charter. Here Paradise is restored, heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed.

Christ is the Grand Object.

Our good its design, and the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a Paradise of glory, a river of pleasure. It is given you in life, will be opened at the judgment, and be remembered for ever. It involves the highest responsibility, will reward the labourer, and condemn all who trifle with its contents.”

But to come to the point before us. There are at least nine persons who typify Christ in this book. Adam, the representative of the whole human race, typical of Him who is the last Adam, the Lord from heaven. Abel, the one who was accepted of God, typical of Him who offered Himself to God, and glorified Him in His life and death, and in whom the Father delighted. Noah, the obedient one, typical of Him whose meat it was to do the will of Him who sent Him. Enoch, the pleasing one, typical of Him of whom the Father said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Melchizedek, the priestly king, typical of Him who, like Melchizedek as to His priesthood, has no beginning and no end, the ever-loving One. Abraham, the faithful one, typical of Him who is the faithful and true One. Isaac, the peaceful one, typical of Him who is the Prince of Peace, who has made peace by the blood of His Cross, and who is now the Embodiment of peace-“He is our Peace.” Jacob, the working one, typical of Him who laboured to secure His own, and this at the sacrifice of Himself. Joseph, the royal one, typical of Him who is yet to sit on His own throne. Although rejected now, He must reign in spite of the malice and hatred of men, and the craft and subtlety of the devil.

Further, there are seven persons who typify the believer-1, Eve, or union with Christ; 2, Seth, or relationship to Him; 3, Enoch, or walking with Him; 4, Abram, or obedience to Him; 5, Lot, or backsliding from Him; 6, Rebekah, or loved by Him; 7, Rachel, or all to Him.

Again, there are seven sets of persons:—

1. Adam and Eve, or Christ and the Church.
2. Cain and Abel, or faith and unbelief.
3. Two Enochs, or worldliness and walking with God.
4. Abram and Lot, or faithfulness and unfaithfulness.
5. Sarah and Hagar, or the two covenants.
6. Ishmael and Isaac, or the two natures.
7. Jacob and Esau, or cunning and carelessness.