Saints' Discussion Forums

We have a sermon on typology in Exodus. ( I need to listen again as it has all seeped out of this non retaining brain of mine  ;D)
Let us look at typology in Genesis, in particular I am thinking of Isaac as foreshadowing Jesus.
Let me start off by the manner of his conception and birth. This was a miraculous conception and birth considering the fact that both parents were too old to have children in normal circumstances and the mother had been barren all her life. The Angel of the Lord announced to Zachariah that his wife would conceive and bear a child.
Compare that with the circumstances surrounding Jesus Incarnation and Birth.

It makes me think of Abel too!

Abraham placing the wood on Isaac's shoulders to carry an offering up the mountain,
reminds me of Golgotha.

Exactly and he was "an only begotten son" as we learn from Genesis 22: 1-2

"....Abraham, Abraham. And he answered: Here I am.  He said to him: Take thy only begotten son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and go into the land of vision: and there thou shalt offer him for an holocaust upon one of the mountains which I will shew thee. "
Even more illuminating is the fact that, from those who are knowledgeable in such matters, we learn that at the time of this occurrence, according to Jewish tradition, it is believed that Isaac was around Jesus age when He was crucified, give or take a few years!
Now, consider the location of Mount Moriah where the Lord directed Abraham to sacrifice Isaac.

A striking thought my friend!

Thanks for beginning this thread Odhiambo!

Typology points out what is to be expected, indicating through imitation, what is to happen before it happens"

St. Basil, "Treatise on The Holy Spirit"

I found this quote today  in one of my daily readings. I didn't know what the word meant, so  it was great to have an answer given to me that way. :)

A nice simple way of explaining it.

Yes, George's point is really striking for as Isaac carried the wood for his own sacrifice,  so did Jesus carry His own cross and both submitted humbly. Isaac in particular could have fought off his father. He was young and strong whereas Abraham was already weak;  but he submitted. :crucifix:

Is The Song of Hannah  foreshadowing  the Magnificat?
 Or is that our Lady using language familiar to her in her own song of praise and thanksgiving to The Lord?

This discussion on typology is  interesting  to me. my exposure to the term up until now has to do with archeology
And using typology to sort out, for example pottery shards or spear tips. It was sorting by physical characteristics and also deciding when a variation was an intentional departure from the norm or a makers failure to meet the ideals of the particular object.

Thank you and God Bless!

That prefiguration is true of all the holy women who were considered "sterile" and unable to concieve in the Old testament. It also includes St elizabeth. 

'The sacrifice of Abraham is the most perfect model of the sacrifice of religious life. If Isaac had not allowed himself to be bound willingly, had he resisted, if Abraham had not been so generous, what occurred would never have happened, and neither Abraham nor Isaac would have merited as they did. Abraham asked no questions, he raised no difficulty to God's command, he did not propose for the accomplishment of his sacrifice any other than the place which the Lord had assigned for it. He simply obeyed. You, my dear daughters, should do as much; you ought to submit to God's will in all things, obeying blindly, generously, and treasures of happiness will redound to your souls.'

St. Mary Euphrasia Pelletier, To the Sisters of the Noviatiate On Obedience, Conferences and Instructions

Abel's offering of the lamb was a prefiguration of Christ's death on the Cross. That is why God was plesed with it. 

Cain's killing of Abel was a prefiguration of Christ's death on the Cross.

The relation between Isacc and his half brother Ismael is a prefiguraaion between the old covenant and the new.

I do not quite see how that is
Can you please explain further?

Ismael was the older brother but Isaac was the child of the promise. Jesus was the child of the promise also and he brought us our salvation and the the New Covenant. Ismael, the older brother is a prefiguration of the Old Covenant that God had with the Jews. Isaac, as the child of the promise is a prefiguration of the coming of Christ.     

Abraham's sacrifice of Isaac was a prefiguration of the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross. When Isaac asked his father, "Where is the lamb for the sacrifice?" Abraham answered that God would provide the lamb. Jesus is the lamb of God who offered himself to save us from our sins.

Jacob's two wives, Lea and Rachel are a prefiguration of teh relation between the old law and the new law.