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Typology in Scripture: Deepening Understanding of God's Character

Typology in Scripture involves understanding how earlier events, persons, or institutions in salvation history foreshadow later, greater realities, particularly those related to Christ and his work. This interpretive method deepens the understanding of God's character by revealing consistent patterns in his dealings with humanity across different eras. The Bible itself presents God's character through various attributes and actions, which are then echoed and expanded upon in typological relationships.

One fundamental aspect of God's character revealed through Scripture is his wisdom and knowledge. The apostle Paul exclaims, "O the depth of the abundant wisdom and knowledge of God: how unsearchable are his judgments and his ways past finding out" (Romans 11:33, Tyndale translation) [6]. This divine wisdom is not merely intellectual but is demonstrated in his providential ordering of history, where earlier events serve as preparations for later ones. For instance, the Old Testament often describes God in human terms, using anthropomorphism (assigning human characteristics) and anthropopathism (assigning human feelings or emotions) to help the human mind grasp his ways, even though God is not limited by these human descriptions [7, 10]. These representations, while accommodating to human understanding, consistently point to a God whose character is unchanging and whose plans unfold with perfect insight [9].

God's character is also consistently portrayed through his loving-kindness and mercy. This is described as great (Nehemiah 9:17), excellent (Psalm 36:7), good (Psalm 69:16), marvelous (Psalm 17:7; 31:21), multitudinous (Isaiah 63:7), everlasting (Isaiah 54:8; Jeremiah 31:3), and merciful (Psalm 117:2) [1]. It is through Christ that this loving-kindness is ultimately expressed (Ephesians 2:7; Titus 3:4-6) [1]. The Old Testament narratives, such as God's deliverance of Israel from Egypt, serve as types of his later, greater acts of salvation. These historical acts demonstrate God's unwavering love and commitment to his people, providing a foundation for understanding the ultimate expression of his love in Christ. The love of God is described as sovereign (Deuteronomy 7:8; 10:15), great (Ephesians 2:4), abiding (Zephaniah 3:17), unfailing (Isaiah 49:15-16), unalienable (Romans 8:39), constraining (Hosea 11:4), and everlasting (Jeremiah 31:3) [5]. This love is manifested towards perishing sinners (John 3:16; Titus 3:4), his saints (John 16:27; 17:23; 2 Thessalonians 2:16; 1 John 4:16), and the destitute (Deuteronomy 10:18) [5].

The concept of "knowing God" in Scripture often signifies an intimate, saving relationship with him [8]. However, even those who "knew about God" through creation did not always act righteously, instead worshipping gods of their own making [8]. Typology helps bridge this gap by illustrating how God's character, revealed in earlier interactions, calls for a specific response. For example, the fear of the Lord, which is described as a hatred of evil (Proverbs 8:13) and wisdom (Job 28:28; Psalm 111:10), is commanded throughout Scripture (Deuteronomy 13:4; Psalm 22:23; Ecclesiastes 12:13; 1 Peter 2:17) [2]. The motives for this godly fear include God's holiness (Revelation 15:4), greatness (Deuteronomy 10:12, 17), goodness (1 Samuel 12:24), and forgiveness (Psalm 130:4) [2]. These attributes are consistently demonstrated in typological events, such as the giving of the Law on Mount Sinai, which established a covenant relationship based on both God's holiness and his gracious provision.

God's character also serves as the motive for righteous behavior [11]. A godly life provides evidence that an individual truly knows God [12]. This is seen in the requirement for humility, which is necessary for the service of God (Micah 6:8) and exemplified by Christ himself (Matthew 11:29; John 13:14-15; Philippians 2:5-8) [3]. Those who possess humility are regarded, heard, and delivered by God (Psalm 138:6; Isaiah 66:2; Psalm 9:12; Isaiah 10:17; Job 22:29) [3]. Similarly, diligence is required by God in seeking him (1 Chronicles 22:19; Hebrews 11:6), obeying him (Deuteronomy 6:17; 11:13), and striving after perfection (Philippians 3:13-14) [4]. These ethical demands, rooted in God's character, are not arbitrary but reflect his nature and his desire for his people to reflect him.

The "form of God" (Philippians 2:6) refers to Christ being the brightness of God's glory and the express image of his person [13]. This is not an accidental form, as there are no accidents in God; rather, whatever is in God, is God [13]. This concept is crucial for understanding typology, as Christ is the ultimate fulfillment and embodiment of all that the Old Testament types foreshadowed. He is the perfect revelation of God's character, making the divine visible and comprehensible in human form.

Moses' experience of God's presence involved a revelation of God's "name," which in this context signifies his character (Exodus 34:5-9) [14]. God showed Moses the glory of his goodness, emphasizing his personal name, Yahweh [14]. This revelation of God's character to Moses serves as a foundational type, demonstrating God's willingness to make himself known to humanity. The subsequent unfolding of salvation history, culminating in Christ, further elaborates on this initial revelation, showing how God's goodness, mercy, and justice are consistently displayed. The mystery of Christ, which Paul speaks of (Ephesians 3:4), is understood through this unfolding pattern, revealing God's ultimate plan for redemption.

Sources

  1. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Loving-Kindness of God, The — Is through Christ -- Eph 2:7; Tit 3:4-6. Described as Great. -- Ne 9:17. Excellent. -- Ps 36:7. Good. -- Ps 69:16. Marvellous. -- Ps 17:7; 31:21. Multitudinous. -- Isa 63:7. Everlasting. -- Isa 54:8. Merciful. -- Ps 117:2. Better than life. -- Ps 63:3. Consideration of the dealings of God gives a knowledge of -- Ps 107:43. Saints Betrothed in. -- Ho 2:19. Drawn by. -- Jer 31:3. Preserved by. -- Ps 40:11. Quickened after. -- Ps 119:88. Comforted by. -- Ps 119:76. Look for mercy through. -- Ps 51:1. Receive mercy through. -- Isa 54:8. Are ”
  2. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Fear, Godly — God is the object of -- Isa 8:13. God is the author of -- Jer 32:39,40. Searching the Scriptures gives the understanding of -- Pr 2:3-5. Described as Hatred of evil. -- Pr 8:13. Wisdom. -- Job 28:28; Ps 111:10. A treasure to saints. -- Pr 15:16; Isa 33:6. A fountain of life. -- Pr 14:27. Sanctifying. -- Ps 19:9. Filial and reverential. -- Heb 12:9,28. Commanded -- De 13:4; Ps 22:23; Ec 12:13; 1Pe 2:17. Motives to The holiness of God. -- Re 15:4. The greatness of God. -- De 10:12,17. The goodness of God. -- 1Sa 12:24. The forgiveness of God. -- Ps 130:4.”
  3. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Humility — Necessary to the service of God -- Mic 6:8. Christ an example of -- Mt 11:29; Joh 13:14,15; Php 2:5-8. A characteristic of saints -- Ps 34:2. The who have Regarded by God. -- Ps 138:6; Isa 66:2. Heard by God. -- Ps 9:12; Isa 10:17. Enjoy the presence of God. -- Isa 57:15. Delivered by God. -- Job 22:29. Lifted up by God. -- Jas 4:10. Exalted by God. -- Lu 14:11; 18:14. Are greatest in Christ's kingdom. -- Mt 18:4; 20:26-28. Receive more grace. -- Pr 3:34; Jas 4:6. Upheld by honour. -- Pr 18:12; 29:23. Is before honour -- Pr 15:33. Leads to riches, honour, ”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Diligence — Christ, an example -- Mr 1:35; Lu 2:49. Required by God in Seeking him. -- 1Ch 22:19; Heb 11:6. Obeying him. -- De 6:17; 11:13. Hearkening to him. -- Isa 55:2. Striving after perfection. -- Php 3:13,14. Cultivating Christian graces. -- 2Pe 1:5. Keeping the souls. -- De 4:9. Keeping the heart. -- Pr 4:23. Labours of love. -- Heb 6:10-12. Following every good work. -- 1Ti 5:10. Guarding against defilement. -- Heb 12:15. Seeking to be found spotless. -- 2Pe 3:14. Making our call, &c, sure. -- 2Pe 1:10. Self-examination. -- Ps 77:6. Lawful business. -- Pr 27:”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Love of God, The — Is a part of his character -- 2Co 13:11; 1Jo 4:8. Christ, the especial object of -- Joh 15:9; 17:26. Christ abides in -- Joh 15:10. Described as Sovereign. -- De 7:8; 10:15. Great. -- Eph 2:4. Abiding. -- Zep 3:17. Unfailing. -- Isa 49:15,16. Unalienable. -- Ro 8:39. Constraining. -- Ho 11:4. Everlasting. -- Jer 31:3. Irrespective of merit -- De 7:7; Job 7:17. Manifested towards Perishing sinners. -- Joh 3:16; Tit 3:4. His saints. -- Joh 16:27; 17:23; 2Th 2:16; 1Jo 4:16. The destitute. -- De 10:18. The cheerful giver. -- 2Co 9:7. Exhibited in The g”
  6. Romans “Romans 11:33 (Tyndale) — O the depnes of the aboundaunt wysdome and knowledge of God: how vnserchable are his iudgementes and his wayes past findyng out.”
  7. Deuteronomy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Deuteronomy 8:2: 8:2 to prove your character (literally to know what is in your heart): God already knew the Israelites’ innermost thoughts (Pss 51:6; 139:1, 4, 23); he wanted their character to come out in their actions. • to find out whether: The Old Testament often describes God in human terms, even in ways that appear to limit God. Anthropomorphism (assigning human characteristics to God) and anthropopathism (assigning human feelings or emotions to God) are ways of representing God on a human level so the human mind can better grasp his ways, but God is not limited in his ”
  8. Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 1:21: 1:21 To know God in Scripture usually means to have an intimate, saving relationship with him (see 2 Cor 5:16; Gal 4:9; Phil 3:8, 10). Here, however, they knew God means that people knew about God. All people have some understanding of God through creation, yet they do not do what is right based on that knowledge. Rather than learn more about God, they worship gods of their own making.”
  9. Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 33:4: 33:4-7 God’s word displays his character and his power.”
  10. Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 1:66: 1:66 the hand of the Lord: This anthropomorphism (describing God with human characteristics, cp. 1:51) meant that God was at work in John’s life.”
  11. Exodus (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Exodus 23:7: 23:7 God’s character is the motive for righteous behavior (see 22:22-24, 27).”
  12. Isaiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Isaiah 33:15: 33:15 A godly life provides evidence that an individual truly knows God (see Col 3:5-17; Jas 2:14-18; 1 Pet 1:14-16; 1 Jn 1:5-6).”
  13. Philippians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Philippians 2:6: Who being in the form of God,.... The Father; being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person. This form is to be understood, not of any shape or figure of him; for as such is not to be seen, it is not to be supposed of him; or any accidental form, for there are no accidents in God, whatever is in God, is God; he is nothing but nature and essence, he is the , the Jehovah, I am what I am; and so is his Son, which is, and was, and is to come, the fountain of all created beings nor does it intend any outward representation and resemblance of hi”
  14. Exodus (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Exodus 34:5: 34:5-9 Moses experienced God’s presence in a revelation of the name, or character, of God. As God had promised (33:19), he showed Moses the glory of his goodness. 34:5-6 Yahweh: Here God is emphasizing his personal name.”
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