Topical Bible: The Wisdom of God: Exhibited in His Foreshadowing Events

Bible > Topical > The Wisdom of God

◄ The Wisdom of God: Exhibited in His Foreshadowing Events ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

The wisdom of God is a central theme throughout the Bible, manifesting itself in the divine orchestration of events that foreshadow future realities. This divine foresight is not only a testament to God's omniscience but also serves as a means to reveal His redemptive plan for humanity. The foreshadowing events in Scripture are intricately woven into the narrative, demonstrating God's sovereign control over history and His purposeful design.

Creation and the Fall

The wisdom of God is first exhibited in the creation narrative, where the order and beauty of the universe reflect His divine nature. The creation of man in God's image (Genesis 1:27) foreshadows the ultimate restoration of humanity through Christ, the "image of the invisible God" (Colossians 1:15). The fall of man introduces the need for redemption, and God's promise of a Savior in Genesis 3:15, often referred to as the Protoevangelium, foreshadows the coming of Christ who would crush the serpent's head.

The Sacrificial System

The sacrificial system established in the Old Testament is a profound foreshadowing of the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The Passover lamb, whose blood protected the Israelites from the angel of death (Exodus 12:13), prefigures Christ, the "Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). The Day of Atonement, with its rituals of purification and the scapegoat bearing the sins of the people (Leviticus 16), points to the atoning work of Christ, who "appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of Himself" (Hebrews 9:26).

The Exodus and the Promised Land

The Exodus from Egypt and the journey to the Promised Land serve as a typological foreshadowing of the believer's spiritual journey from bondage to sin into the freedom of God's promises. The crossing of the Red Sea symbolizes baptism and deliverance, as Paul notes, "They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea" (1 Corinthians 10:2). The Promised Land itself is a shadow of the eternal rest and inheritance awaiting believers, as described in Hebrews 4:9-10.

The Davidic Covenant

The covenant with David, promising an everlasting kingdom (2 Samuel 7:12-16), foreshadows the eternal reign of Christ, the Son of David. The wisdom of God is evident in the establishment of David's line, culminating in Jesus, who fulfills the prophecy of a ruler from Bethlehem (Micah 5:2) and reigns as King of Kings. The Psalms, particularly Psalm 22 and Psalm 110, contain messianic prophecies that find their fulfillment in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

Prophetic Foreshadowing

The prophets of the Old Testament, through divine inspiration, provided glimpses of the coming Messiah and the new covenant. Isaiah's prophecies of the suffering servant (Isaiah 53) and the virgin birth (Isaiah 7:14) are clear foreshadowings of Christ's redemptive work. Jeremiah's promise of a new covenant written on the hearts of God's people (Jeremiah 31:31-34) anticipates the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers.

The Wisdom Literature

The wisdom literature, particularly the book of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Job, reflects the wisdom of God in understanding the complexities of life and the pursuit of righteousness. Proverbs 8 personifies wisdom, which many theologians see as a foreshadowing of Christ, "the power of God and the wisdom of God" (1 Corinthians 1:24). The search for meaning in Ecclesiastes and the exploration of suffering in Job point to the ultimate resolution found in Christ, who is the fulfillment of all wisdom and knowledge.

In these foreshadowing events, the wisdom of God is displayed in His meticulous planning and execution of His divine purposes, revealing His character and His unwavering commitment to redeem and restore His creation.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 42:9
Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 46:10
Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Christ of the Gospels. By Rev. Professor Schaff.
... and originating power of youth that wisdom, moderation, and ... He never repented, never
asked God for pardon and ... He exhibited a uniform elevation above the objects ...
/.../the christ of the gospels.htm

Bunsen's Biblical Researches.
... volume before-mentioned Baron Bunsen has exhibited the Hebrew ... It would be strange
if God's work were ... by disparaging the instruments which His wisdom chose for ...
/.../essays and reviews the education of the world/bunsens biblical researches.htm

Period ii. The Church from the Permanent Division of the Empire ...
... God gave it; and this was a point of wisdom also to ... they are to be referred only
to Christ and His Church, which is the City of God, the proclamation of ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period ii the church from.htm