Throughout scripture there are archetypes of the Messiah, the Holy Spirit and the Father. These allusions and metaphors are not by accident. It is the purpose of God to draw humankind to the theme of the Holy Bible; Jesus the Christ, the promised Messiah. This is one of the ways that God is calling out a people in Christ’s name.
Jesus Christ was the perfect sacrifice for the sins of humanity. From eternity, before the foundation of all creation, the plan of the Creator was to provide objects to whom He could express His unconditional love. God created man in His image and likeness. It was His plan to portray our relationship to Him through the process of Marriage. Two people becoming one flesh and raising children to serve and worship Him is a shadow of our own relationship with God.
The entire warp and weft of the tapestry God was woven He is willing to unfold before you. “Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he reveals his secret unto his servants the prophets” (Amos 3:7)…You are my witnesses, said the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen: that you may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me” (Isaiah 43:10). God has no secrets.
Joshua was a Levite and a descendant of Aaron. He was given the position of high priest of Israel after the return of the Jews from their Babylonian captivity in the mid 500’s BC. This priesthood was returned to it’s place to await the Messiah. “Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, you and your associates who are sitting before you; for they are men of symbol. For behold I will bring forth My Servant, the BRANCH.” – Zechariah 3:8-9.
Joshua [Jeshuah (Heb. Yeshuah)] is rendered in Greek as Jesus1. The Messiah is a descendant of Judah through David’s line. He was crowned prophet, priest and king to rule on the throne of David in perpetuity eternally. Branch is another name for Messiah2. Joshua was clothed in “filthy garments” just as the Christian is filthy with sin. Joshua received the ceremonial robes just as the redeemed receive the white robe of Christ. Having received the robe Joshua was then admonished to “walk in My ways, and if you keep My command, then you shall also judge My house, and likewise have charge of My courts.”
The charge given Joshua by God is given by Jesus in John’s gospel; “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed” – John 8:31 “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” – John 8:32 “…If ye love me, keep my commandments.” – John 14:15
The scriptures are filled with types and shadows of the Christ. These pieces of information are not secret, nor hidden. There is wisdom in these verses which the Spirit of God will reveal to the ardent reader who applies their mind and heart to know the truth. “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraids not; and it shall be given him.” – James 1:5
The beauty of God will appear before your eyes and in your heart and mind as you study the word with the expectation of knowing truth.
- See Zechariah chapter 3, Zechariah 9: 16 & Matthew 1: 21
- See Job 14: 7; Psalm 80: 15; Isaiah 4: 2; 11: 1; 60: 21; Jeremiah 23: 5; Ezekiel 17: 22
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