Nothing but the Blood
The article discusses Melchizedek (Genesis 14:17-24). This discussion also involves Abram and his acts that show trust in God rather than his own strength. The Levitical priesthood, and ultimately the priesthood of Jesus Christ, also come into view.
Name Terms of the Old Testament Prophet of God
What is the nature and purpose of the Old Testament prophet? The terms used to describe the person and office of the prophet are an important indicator. Merrill explores the way different terms are used to describe the prophet of God.
The Everlasting Kingdom
This article traces God's promise of a king to his people, Israel. The account shows the difference between God's plan and the people's expectation of what a king should be like.
The Three Great Feasts in the Worship of Israel
Christ in the Levitical Sacrifices Christ in the Old Testament Ceremonies Series: Lecture One
Out of the House of Bondage: The Old Testament Slavery Laws and Our Redemption in Christ
The Death Penalty in God’s Law
The Shadow of Christ
The Ark of the Covenant Christ in the Old Testament Ceremonies Series: Lecture Four
Our High Priest Christ in the Old Testament Ceremonies Series: Lecture Three
Christ in the Feasts Christ in the Old Testament Ceremonies Series: Lecture Two
The Cherubim Cheered the Loudest
The curtain in the temple was torn from top to bottom when Jesus died. What is the meaning of this? This article explains that the curtain and the cherubim pictured on the curtain spoke about the way to God being opened.
The Temple of God
The temple forms an integrative part of the history of the people of God. The presence of God in the temple made it special. This essay provides an overview of the role and function of the temple in both the Old and New Testaments.
The Problem of the Efficacy of Old Testament Sacrifices
Can a valid distinction be made between the Levitical (ceremonial) and prophetic (moral) elements of the Old Testament? Freeman argues that such a separation is unbiblical and foreign to the Old Testament.
The Blood of the Lamb
This article is about the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the sacrifice as a gift to God, substitutionary atonement, Leviticus 1-7, Jesus Christ as the lamb of God, and Hebrews 9:22.
Christ and the Desert Tabernacle - Building Materials
This book maintains that the Old Testament tabernacle is a shadowy picture of Christ and the church. In this chapter, the author discusses how the materials used to build the tabernacle (as recorded in Exodus 25:1-9) are significant for the church today.
Resolved to Remember
This article on Leviticus 23:23-25 looks at the Feast of Trumpets (New Year's Day), the Day of Atonement, and the Feast of Tabernacles. The author shows how these celebrations pointed the covenant people to God's works.
A Doorkeeper in the House of My God
The Bronze Altar
Christ the First-Fruits
This article looks at the meaning of firstfruit in the Old Testament. The concept of firstfruit was fulfilled in Christ's resurrection. The author discusses what it means for Christ's church that Jesus presented the harvest to the Father.
The Mercy Seat of God
The Veil of the Tabernacle
Does God Command Genocide?
Did Adam Exist as a Historical Person?
Adam and Eve – Then and Now "Who was the First Man? Adam."
A Doorkeeper in the House of My God
Abram, Sarai, and Surrogate Motherhood
The Golden Candlestick
The Golden Altar of Incense
The Table of Showbread
God with Us: The Gospel of the Holy of Holies
Even the Boring Parts - On Exegeting Genealogies
This article is on genealogies and the interpretation of genealogies. Ruth 4:18-22 is also discussed.
Prayer as an Incense Offering
The Desert - A Revelation
Prophets
The Theology of Passover
The Laws for Uncleanness in the Pentateuch and New Testament Baptism
Prophetic Protest against Poverty The Old Testament Prophets on Rich and Poor
The Tabernacle of the Wilderness
The Sanctuary and It's Furniture
The Golden Altar of Incense
The Ark
Five Offerings That Point to One
The burnt offering, grain offering, fellowship offering, sin offering, and guilt offering point to Christ. This article explains how.
The Ripped Veil Exodus 26:31-33
The Covenant Ark Exodus 25:10-22
The Incense Altar
The Golden Lamp Read Exodus 25:31-39, 27:20, and Leviticus 24:1-4
The Bread of God Read: Exodus 25:23-30 and Leviticus 24:5-9
The Bath Made with Mirrors Read: Exodus 30:17-21
We Have an Altar Exodus 27:1-8; 38:1-8; Matthew 23:17; Hebrews 13:10-12
The World’s Largest “Visual Aid”
The Year of Jubilee
Lessons of Holy Furniture How the Tabernacle Illuminates Jesus’ Life and Purpose
Bound But Unchained
The High-Priest: His Clothes The Clothing of the High Priest
The High-Priest: His Consecration and Duties His Consecration and Duties
The Types of Scripture
The Old Testament sacrifices functioned as God’s revelation to his people, but they also functioned as shadows or types. This article discusses how shadows functioned to lead people to Christ.
What Is a Priest?
This article seeks to show the unifying element of the different activities of a priest in the Old Testament. It argues that a priest was an administrator of the royal household.
The Gospel of Genealogy
Jacob and the Stone
This article outlines the redemptive-historical significance of wells in Scripture.
A Theology of Festivity
This article explains the concept of appointed times in the Old Testament feasts.
Slavery and the Old Testament Law
This article discusses slavery in the Old Testament and explains how Israelite and non-Israelite slaves were to be treated.
The Types of Scripture
Did Old Testament saints comprehend the types and shadows as pointing to better things to come? This article evaluates the view of one scholar who argued that such saints did not, and shows it to be lacking. The author explains that the symbol and type needed the Word, which was there to explain their function, that they were but images of the reality to come.
After God's Own Heart – David, Abraham, and Ruth
The dynasty of David is central to the Bible's message of salvation. In Chapter 2 the author focuses on the book of Ruth to demonstrate God’s faithfulness in preserving the house of David in order to fulfill his promises to Abraham.
After God's Own Heart – David and Biblical Theology
The house of David is central to the Bible's message of salvation. Boda explores in Chapter 1 the theological theme of David and his household. He starts with David and New Testament theology, and proceeds to trace in the Old Testament the relationship between King David and God as king. Relevant passages considered are 1 Samuel 8, Romans 1:3, and 2 Corinthians 6:18.
Immanuel in Our Place – Altars: Occasional Testimonies to Sacred Space
A place of worship between the fall and the exodus is called an altar. Chapter 2 gives an overview of how these altars functioned as places of God’s presence. Longman reflects on the altar law of Exodus 20: 24-26, the significance of the altars of Noah and the patriarchs (Genesis 12), and God’s special presence at these altars.
The Meaning of the Word Sheol as Shown by Parallels in Poetic Texts
The function and meaning of the word "Sheol" is important in biblical theology. Its relevance for an understanding of passages like 1 Peter 3:20 and Ephesians 4:8 is indicated. Further, a comparison is made with the New Testament's use of "hades." The meaning of Sheol is explored still more by comparing a number of its occurrences in the Old Testament.
They Speak to Me
From John 1:1,14 this article shows how the tabernacle pointed to Christ.
Five Myths about Jubilee
It is assumed that the Year of Jubilee involved forgiveness of debt and land redistribution. This article shows that this assumptions and the objection to land ownership based on jubilee principle are myths. So what was the point of the Year of Jubilee? Let the article explain.
Ownership and Property in the Old Testament Economy
Based on the doctrine of creation, the eighth commandment, the sovereignty of God, and the Year of Jubilee, this article argues that ownership of property was sanctioned by God. However, property ownership can only happen as a result of hard work, inheritance, or a reward.
That Practical Old Testament
Wisdom
Nicea: Jacob and Esau Come of Age
Clean and Unclean God’s Salvation made Tangible
False Prophecy
Prophecy
Who Were the Old Testament Prophets?
The Ark of the Covenant
Imprecations: Holy Fire
Can we love an enemy and still call for God's wrath against him? This article shows that imprecatory prayers, when motivated by the desire for God's justice and glory, may be prayed. However, the answer to those prayers rests with God.
The Bronze Laver
God’s Eye Knows No Pity
What the Bible Says About the Moon
The Urim and the Thummim
The Dew of Heaven
This article shows the significance of dew in Scripture. It was a symbol of blessing, the resurrection, and the ministry of God's people in the world. Also, it is associated with baptism and manna.
Sunrise
Footstool of His Feet
This article concentrates on the theological significance of the kapporet, the mercy seat. It shows how its symbolism is important background for understanding the Day of Atonement.
Two Shall Become One Flesh, Part 1: Atonement and Eschatology
This article looks at the Day of Atonement through the cosmological lens of Genesis and its vision of unity.
Names of the Sanctuary
This article discusses the biblical terms and phrases used for the tabernacle in order to provide some insights into its nature and function.
The Footstool of His Feet
This article explains the theological significance of the cover of the ark of the covenant, and how it served as the Lord's footstool. The article shows the significance of the footstool in Scripture. Finally, a word about the footstool's redemptive-historical significance is offered.
The Firstborn Son's Double Portion
This article discusses the matter of the double portion in Deuteronomy 21:15-17, and whether it is still in force today. The author argues it is not, as the entire system regarding firstborn laws seems to have been typological.
Seven Exoduses (Part 2)
Israel's exodus from Egypt is one of the central redemptive-historical events in the Scriptures, so central that it is the pattern for at least seven events in Scripture that may themselves be called “Exoduses.” This second article in a series outlines the exodus experiences of Isaac (Genesis 26:6-16), Jacob (Genesis 27-Genesis 31), Israel, God's people through the death and resurrection of Christ, and Peter (Acts 12).
Seven Exoduses (Part 1)
Israel's exodus from Egypt is one of the central redemptive-historical events in the Scriptures, so central that it is the pattern for at least seven events in Scripture that may themselves be called “Exoduses.” This first article in a series determines the main elements of the exodus, and then considers how these are manifested in the events of the exodus of Abram in Genesis 12 and Genesis 20.
Bread and Matzos?
Palestinian Artifactual Evidence Supporting the Early Date of the Exodus
Priests to the Nations
This article shows that on account of the various boundary laws in the Old Covenant, the people of God were never fully able to serve as priests to the nations. This fact called out for the coming of Christ and inauguration of the new covenant.
Gatekeepers
This article explains the relevance of the gatekeeper in Scripture, especially from the account in 1 Chronicles 9:1.
Two Shall Become One Flesh, Part 3: Realizing Recovering
How can heaven and earth be joined together when they are currently so separated? This article gives the answer: through the atonement of Jesus Christ. He fulfills all the recoverings that happened in the Old Testament sacrificial liturgy by becoming the covering himself. This article concludes with reflections on how this comes into the Christian life of forgiveness, based on 1 John 1:6-2:2.
Yahweh's War against Death
This article takes a redemptive-historical look at the Lord's war against death.
Seven Exoduses (Part 3)
Israel's exodus from Egypt is one of the central redemptive-historical events in the Scriptures, so central that it is the pattern for at least seven events in Scripture that may themselves be called “Exoduses.” This final article in a series shows the theological centre of the Exodus principle, namely, Christ and his experience.