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Patriarchs and the Suffering Trinity
By daniel | August 4, 2005
I know you hear a lot about our study we're doing on suffering. Last week, we found some very interesting correlations between the sufferings of the patriarchs and those of the Trinity, in the great scheme. It's been helpful for me to be able to see God in this light, and I've really only been able to see it by keeping in mind the stories of these men.
Abraham as a type of the Father
We see Abraham sacrificing his only son.
We see Abraham as the owner of the great plot for the redemption of the world.
We see him as a traveller, seeking a place to call home, a resting place. (note the Father's interactions with the bush, tabernacle, temple, and church. Note especially Jesus' thoughts about the temple and the church.)
We see him responsible to provide a wife for his son.
Isaac as a type of the Son
We see Isaac rejected by his natural brothers.
We see Isaac inheriting and making his own the great plot and mission of his father.
We see Isaac offered by his father.
Jacob as a type of the Spirit
We see Jacob sent from his father's house.
We see Jacob suffer at the disunity of his children. (note the Spirit's grieving over the disunity in the Church, seen in many of Paul's letters)
We see Jacob persecuted by Esau. (note Esau used persistently throughout the Scriptures as a type of the flesh.)
We see Jacob battling for each step, in carrying out the out the mission handed down to him. (note the Spirit's work is much more hands-on in the continual gaining of the mission, as opposed to the initiation by the Father, or the once-for-all work of the Son)
Topics: Spirituality - Essays |
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