Biblical Patriarchs like Jesus
Enoch and Noah Foreshadow the Messiah
In the previous article it was demonstrated how Adam and Abel may be described as types of Christ. Unlike the other types, Enoch never saw death because God took him.
Enoch as a Type of Jesus
Enoch walked with God. The theme of walking with God runs throughout the scriptures and typifies a lifestyle of pleasing God and living by faith.
In a similar manner that God respected Abel and his offering, Enoch pleased God. "By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death and was not found because God had taken him, for before he was taken he had this testimony that he pleased God." (Hebrews 11:5) This is evident when John the Baptist baptises Jesus in the Jordan saying "This is my Son in whom I am well pleased." (Matthew 3:17)
Like Elijah, Enoch was taken into heaven and this is clearly a picture of our Lord and Saviour ascending to heaven. God is always true to His word and as Enoch was taken up, there is the opportunity for eternal life for those who believe in Him.
The name Enoch, means ‘tutor’ or ’teacher’. Enoch was a type of Christ in this respect too. To gain some indication of how great a teacher Jesus was John Chapter 3 centres on the discussion between Nicodemus and Jesus. Nicodemus was the Teacher of Israel and referred to Jesus as Rabbi. Nicodemus recognised that He had come from God because of the signs He performed. Nicodemus would have obviously been well versed in scripture and Jesus taught him what it meant to be born again. It was a relatively simple truth and Jesus appeared astounded that Nicodemus was having difficulty understanding the New Birth.
Noah as a Type of Jesus
Interestingly the sub-title for the passage Genesis 6:9-12 in the New King James Version is entitled "Noah pleases God," as did Enoch and Abel before him.
Even though Genesis confirms that it had not rained before Noah built the ark, Noah was faithful in building it. The picture of the Ark as a shadow of God’s redemption is noteworthy. As the rains poured for 40 days and for 40 nights so Jesus fasted for 40 days and nights immediately after His baptism and in preparation for His earthly ministry.
There were eight people that entered the Ark and in biblical numerology, the number eight signifies completion. The flood completely covered the earth and God promised that He would never flood the earth again.
The Jewish calendar confirms that the Ark rested on the 17th day of Nissan. This is the same date on the calendar that Jesus was resurrected. On the same date Israel crossed the Red Sea (Exodus 14:13-14) and Israel ate the first fruits in the Promised Land. (Joshua 5:10-12)
Finally Noah’s name means ‘rest’. In Matthew 11:28 Jesus said "Come to Me all you who labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest." In Hebrews 4:10 there is an invitation to enter His eternal rest, "for he who had entered His rest has Himself also ceased from his works as God did from His." Noah was a type of Christ and the Ark rested on the mountains of Ararat, but Christ gives a far greater promise to enter into His eternal rest.
References
The Holy Bible New KIng James Version Thomas Nelson Publishers Nashville 1988, G. Portaits of Bible Men vol 2 Kregel Publications Grand Rapids 1997
Mattheson
Enoch and Moses are Types of Christ
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