Often ignored by those who proclaim the New Covenant as not only replacing the Mosaic law but also supplanting the Hebrew Bible altogether are the examples the Lord has given to know Him and the path He has revealed to enter heaven.

Not realizing that the keys to unlocking the mysteries in the Bible are in the complete Bible, some claim the writings of the law and the prophets are now irrelevant. However, those who ignore the Hebrew Bible and focus only on the glorious promises given by the Lord in the New Testament end up inventing private interpretations and unbiblical doctrines that reshape the true nature and person of God. Both testaments are one inseparable book.

God spoke to Israel at various times and in different ways in the past through his prophets. These were holy men of God whom he raised up to be leaders and mediators between Himself and His chosen people. He placed His glory upon them and set them as a sign to reveal His word to all people and all generations that should come afterwards.

Likewise, as the Lord also chose the prophets to impart the knowledge of God to Israel, Israel was chosen to be a light to the nations; salvation is of the Jews.

Whether or not the Jewish people are in obedience to God, they are an example to the world. It is in Israel that both the goodness and the severity of God’s mercy and his wrath are made known to the world.

From among the rulers of Israel, certain ones were chosen and used symbolically as archetypes of Christ. Although they were faithful, they all fell short of the perfection of Christ, who would fulfill all things to perfection.

Moses, having brought the people out of Egypt, failed to lead them over into the promised land. Joshua victoriously led Israel into the land of promise but fell short of driving out all of the inhabitants. Solomon, the son of David, a prefigure of the coming Messiah, failed to perpetuate the rule of the House of David over all 12 tribes of Israel by falling away in his old age to serve other gods.

These men and others, who were used as typologies foreshadowing Christ, failed to perform the work of Christ to perfection. Therefore, God sent His own Son to perfectly fulfill the archetypes they had established as the template of what he was to accomplish.

Israel is also used as an illustration of the Lord’s judgments. To this day, the whole world can learn from examples of Israel’s obedience and disobedience to God.

The Lord declares Israel his firstborn among the nations. They were saved in a figure when they passed through the Red Sea and were all baptized in the sea (1 Corinthians 10:2). Their antagonists were destroyed in the sea—even Pharaoh and all the armies of Egypt who attempted to follow Israel through the sea.

Exodus is a picture of salvation through Christ. The “Red Sea” is not a misnomer. In passing through the Red Sea, we are saved by the blood of Jesus, redeemed, and delivered from our adversary, the Devil.

Although Israel was saved once they set foot on the other side of the seashore, they had not yet arrived in the promised land but entered the wilderness and began a journey. The typology given paints a most important picture regarding salvation once saved.

For although Israel was saved by faith passing through the Red Sea, they still had to endure the wilderness before them and cross over the river Jordan to enter the promised land. They were delivered from bondage, but in order to attain the fullness of the promise given to them, they had to complete the journey through and dispose of the inhabitants of Canaan by the sword, as it is written.

“For ye are not as yet come to the rest and to the inheritance, which the Lord your God giveth you. But when ye go over Jordan, and dwell in the land which the Lord your God giveth you to inherit, and when he giveth you rest from all your enemies round about, so that ye dwell in safety” (Deuteronomy 12:9-10).

There is not only the Red Sea to cross before the inheritance of the kingdom, but also another crossing at Jordan and cleansing of the land to attain the fullness of the promises.

It was the second crossing and sanctification that secured the promise of the kingdom by finishing the course set before them. Only those who were obedient to the end entered the land. A great many who crossed over the Red Sea perished in the wilderness when they rebelled against the promises.

Those who are saved and washed in the blood of Christ are given a promise of rest. Like the children of Israel, we must continue our pilgrimage through the wilderness, resisting the temptations in the desert in obedience to the faith. There are perils to overcome until the waters are parted at Jordan and the land of promise is possessed. Those saved out of Egypt who fail to endure until the promise is attained will perish.

“For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end” (Hebrews 3:14).

End: Part 1