The Bible has three main divisions:
The book of the Father
Genesis is the story of the fathers.
Second son motif
Genesis has two groups of fathers which have the same pattern: the original father has a son who dies desolate, and the second son is fruitful and multiplies. (In Hebrew a grandson can be referred to as a son). This usurping second son motif which is set in motion in Genesis, will be repeated throughout scripture.
- God, Adam and Noah are the ancient fathers of the nations. God has a son, Adam, who sinned, and all his children are killed. But Noah is preserved and from him all the nations of the earth come to be.
- Abraham, Isaac and Jacob are the fathers of the nation Israel. Abraham has a son, Isaac, who is figuratively put to death. But Jacob has 12 sons who become the 12 tribes of Israel.
When two things are closely associated, they represent one thing which has two aspects. Sometimes the one thing is hard to name.
| One thing | heavenly/spirit 2-h | earthy/flesh 2-e | |
|---|---|---|---|
| creation | heaven | earth | Ge 1:1 |
| nature of existence | without form/vain | void | Ge 1:2 |
| nature of God | light/holiness/Day | dark/love/Night | Ge 1:3 |
| relationship | evening/separation | morning/reconciliation | Ge 1:5 |
| waters/word | waters above | waters below | Ge 1:6 |
| waters below/ | seas/chosen | dry land/desolate | Ge 1:10 |
Repetition 2-r*
When the same phrase is used twice, it means that it is true in a fleshly and a spiritual aspect.
- Le 1:3 ¶ If his offering [be] a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish: he shall offer it of his own voluntary will at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD.
'he shall bring near him' is repeated. It is translated that 'he shall voluntarily bring near him'. Not only must he physically bring it, but he must willingly bring it.
'*' used as a reference when something is repeated twice.
Seven
Seven represents completeness in popular typology. We can specifically say that it is the unity of the heavenly fathers and the earthly fathers.
- 1Jo 5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
- 1Jo 5:8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.
The lamp had seven lamps:
- Ex 25:31 ¶ And thou shalt make a candlestick [of] pure gold: [of] beaten work shall the candlestick be made: his shaft, and his branches, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, shall be of the same.
- Ex 25:32 And six branches shall come out of the sides of it; three branches of the candlestick out of the one side, and three branches of the candlestick out of the other side:
- Ex 25:37 And thou shalt make the seven lamps thereof: and they shall light the lamps thereof, that they may give light over against it.
The book of the Son
The story of Israel is the story of the Son of God. Speaking of Israel God said:
- Ex 4:23 And I say unto thee, Let my son go, that he may serve me: and if thou refuse to let him go, behold, I will slay thy son, [even] thy firstborn.
There are two Israel's represented in the story. The first ones dies in the desert and the second one is fruitful.
- Israel in the desert represents the flesh, or the first son
- Israel in the promised land represents the spirit or the second son
The book of the Holy Ghost
The New Testament has two parts representing the first and second sons:
- The gospels tell of Jesus in the flesh who died alone and desolate.
- The letters tell of Jesus in resurrection and his fruitfulness through his bride (the church).