Three Ways that Jesus Christ is Pictured in the Book of Genesis

Animals that were slain to make clothing for Adam & Eve

Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.

Genesis 3:21

The animals were sacrificed for a sin they did not commit to pay the penalty for a sin that someone else committed. Dr. Willmington in the course textbook refers to Isaiah 53:5-6 to show how Jesus Christ will (did) suffer for the sins of world so that the world could be saved. Dr. Willmington observes that this establishes the doctrine of the innocent dying for the guilty and as such I think it is an excellent albeit sad picture of what Jesus Christ did and had to do (if we were to be saved) for us.

Melchizedek, King of Salem

James W. Knox in his commentary on the book of Genesis does not consider Melchizedek to be a Christophany. This is important because if Melchizedek is a Christophany then he is not a picture of Christ but rather Christ Himself. As a picture of Jesus Christ, Knox does outline four similarities between the Lord Jesus Christ and Melchizedek, King of Salem. Knox states that they share a “strange and miraculous ancestry.” Christ Himself was born to a human mother who was impregnated by the Holy Spirit while the record of Melchizedek reveals no father or mother, he is presented without genealogy (Hebrews 7:3). Secondly, Melchizedek is called the “king of peace” (Hebrews 7:2) and Jesus Christ is called the “prince of peace” (Isaiah 9:6). Next, Melchizedek is a High Priest (Genesis 14:18) and Jesus Christ is a High Priest (Hebrews 10:21). Finally, Knox points out that both received blessing from God and men.

Arthur W. Pink agrees with James W. Know in his work titled An Exposition on Hebrews concerning whether the Melchizedek in Genesis is a Christophany. Pink shows from Hebrews 7:17 that Jesus Christ is after the order of Melchizedek not the actual Melchizedek. Therefore, Melchizedek could not have been a Christophany. The Melchizedek order was before the law while the Aaronic priesthood was under the law. In essence, Melchizedek foreshadows the priesthood of the Son of God who will fulfill the law and save His people from their sin which was revealed to the people by the law (Romans 3:20).

Abraham

James W. Knox in his commentary on the book of Genesis also considers Abraham to be a type of Christ. He cites six points (the points below were copied from Knox’s book):

• Abraham conquered the nations, as will Christ - Genesis 14:15.
• Delivered his kinsmen, as will Christ – Genesis 14:16.
• Established peace, as will Christ – Genesis 14:18.
• Brought the kings of the surviving nations before him to determine what they may keep, as will Christ (Matthew 25) – Genesis 14:17,21.
• Given his servants gifts taken from the nations, as will Christ – Genesis 14:23-24.
• Eaten kingdom food with the priest, as will Christ with His priests (Mark 14:25, Revelation 1:5) – Genesis 14:18.

Also, Abraham could be a picture of the Father. Abraham is the father of a nation just as the Father is a father of all those who believe in His Son. Abraham was prepared to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, just as the Father DID sacrifice His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ.

Outside Sources

Knox, James W. The Book of Genesis. Deland, FL: The Bible Baptist Church, 2004.

Pink, Arthur W. An Exposition on Hebrews. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House, 2006.
Wilmington, Dr. Harold. Great Truths from God's Word: Old Testament Survey. Fidlar/Doubleday, 2003.