Patterns are different from types and images. Yet patterns are typological in that they show how things typically happen. Israel's feasts and the righteous sufferer are patterns.
ISRAEL'S FEASTS
Deuteronomy 16:16 tells of 3 years feasts for Israel. They weren't the only feasts. Passover celebrated Israel's deliverance from Egypt. Pentecost is the Feast of Harvest (Exodus 23:16) Booths celebrated God's provision as the Israelites wandered in the wilderness for 40 years and lived in booths/tabernacles. The constant celebration recounts salvation, provision and bounty. They pointed forward to a greater redemption, a greater provision and a greater harvest. See how God dealt with them in the past would give them confidence in their current sufferings and hope for future blessings.
THE RIGHTEOUS SUFFERER
Cain/Abel. Philistines/Abraham. Ishmael/Isaac. Esau/Jacob. Joseph's brothers/Joseph. The list goes on. Jerusalem stones the prophets. Jesus fulfilled this pattern as the righteous sufferer. When reviled he returned no threats but entrusted Himself to the Father.
WHAT DO SYMBOLS TEACH US?
Symbolically speaking we are liberated slaves that are moving toward a better Eden. Symbols shape our understanding of ourselves and of God. They tell us how the world really works. They shape how we are to live as we follow Jesus.
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