The Typology of “On the Third Day”

I was recently stumbled across a jewel of a journal article, from Dr. Jim Hamilton on the ways David is a type of Christ. It is chuck full of useful information on typology and David in particular, but tucked away in there is a fascinating discussion of the typology of the expression “on the third day.”

I’ve recently wondered about Paul’s contention that Jesus rose from the dead “on the third day in accordance with the scriptures” (1 Cor. 15:4). What Hamilton writes below provides more insight into a possible background for Paul’s understanding of the OT Scriptures with regard to the third day.

ON THE THIRD DAY

The narrator of Samuel is clear about the sequence of events surrounding Saul’s death. While David was living in Ziklag under the authority of Achish the Philistine king of Gath (1 Sam 27:6), the Philistines mustered their forces for battle against Israel (28:1). Saul panicked (28:5) and sought out a medium (28:7). When he went to the witch of Endor, he had an encounter with Samuel, whom the witch brought up for him (28:11-14). Among other things, Samuel told Saul, “Tomorrow you and your sons shall be with me” (28:19), that is, dead.

The next day, on which Saul would join Samuel, appears to be the day that David was sent home by the Philistine lords who feared that he would turn on them in battle (29:1-11). Curiously, the narrator of Samuel then relates that David and his men found their home city of Ziklag raided when they arrived “on the third day” (1 Sam 30:1). This seems to be the third day after the Philistines mustered for battle against Israel (cf. 30:13). In this way, the narrator shows that David was not with the Philistines in battle when Saul met his end. The narrator then relates what happened on the day the Philistines dismissed David: they defeated Saul’s army and Saul took his own life (31:1-7). This means that a death brought the reign of the king who opposed the Lord’s anointed to an end. Three days later, David overcame the thought his men had of stoning him, “strengthened himself in the Lord his God” (30:6), and, rising from the near stoning, pursued his enemies, and recaptured his people—all of them. But this is not the only significant third day in this account. 2 Samuel 1 opens by relating that after David had struck the Amelakites who had raided Ziklag, he remained in Ziklag for two days, and then “on the third day” the messenger came with the news that Saul was dead (2 Sam 1:1-2). This means that “on the third day” David conquered his enemies, took captivity captive, and gave gifts to men when he sent spoil to the elders of Judah (1 Sam 30:26-31). And then “on the third day” he received news that the death of Saul meant that as the Lord’s anointed he, David, was now to be king.

Nor are these the only two significant “third days” in the Old Testament: Abraham went to sacrifice Isaac “on the third day” (Gen 22:4). Yahweh came down on Mount Sinai to meet Israel “on the third day” (Exod 19:11, 16). The Lord raised up Hezekiah “on the third day” (2 Kgs 20:5). The second temple was completed “on the third day” (Ezra 6:15). Esther interceded on behalf of the Jewish people “on the third day” (Esth 5:1). And perhaps most significantly, Jonah was in the belly of the whale “three days and three nights” (Jon 2:1 [ET 1:17]), while Hosea prophesied that the people, having been torn by Yahweh as by a lion (Hos 5:14-6:1), would be raised up “on the third day” (6:2).

These significant events in the Old Testament took place “on the third day,” and this pattern found its fulfillment when Jesus “was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures” (1 Cor 15:4). Perhaps the references in the Old Testament to the remarkable things that took place “on the third day” were themselves read typologically by Hosea, leading him to the conclusion that the restoration of the people after Yahweh’s judgment of the nation would take place “on the third day” (Hos 6:2, cf. 5:14-6:1). Perhaps the same typological reading of these instances led Jesus to the conclusion that he would be the suffering servant who would be torn by Yahweh’s judgment and then raised up “on the third day” (cf. Matt 16:21; Mark 8:31; Luke 9:22).

Just as David defeated the Amelakites on the third day (1 Sam 30:1), Jesus defeated death on the third day. As David took captivity captive and gave gifts to men, Jesus did the same (cf. Eph 4:8-11). Just as David received word that Saul was no more on the third day (2 Sam 2:1), Acts 13:33 links the announcement of enthronement from Psalm 2:7, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you” to the resurrection: “this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus, as also it is written in the second Psalm, ‘You are my Son, today I have begotten you’” (Acts 13:33). The death of the reigning king brought the end of hostility, and the news of that death announced the beginning of the reign of the Lord’s anointed.

…D. A. Carson’s conclusion regarding Jesus being raised from the dead on the third day “according to the Scriptures” is similar: “It is difficult to make sense of such claims unless some form of typology is recognized…. The cross and the resurrection of the Messiah were, in Paul’s view, anticipated by the patterns of Old Testament revelation.”

— excerpted from pg. 16-17, Southern Baptist Theological Journal, (volume 16, number 2 -Summer 2012), “The Typology of David’s Rise to Power: Messianic Patterns in the Book of Samuel” – (accessible online here).

G.K. Beale’s “Three Angles of Assurance”

I’m almost finished making my way through G.K. Beale’s A New Testament Biblical Theology: The Unfolding of the Old Testament in the New (Baker Academic, 2011). It has truly been a rewarding experience in so many ways. Some may question the sanity of reading through a 1,000 page theology book. I have found Beale’s work, however, to be not only intellectually stimulating but also spiritually moving. He unpacks the soul-thrilling message of both testaments of Scripture and like a master jeweler, brings out the innate beauty of the Gem of the Bible in all its brilliance and power. Reading Beale is reading the big picture of Scripture.

Beale also repeatedly brings application and pastoral concerns to bear. He is a theologian with a pastor’s heart, and he never fails to provide the takeaways and connect the dots from theology to Christian living. A perfect example of this is his treatment of assurance. The graphic pictured below is my attempt to reproduce a drawing on pg. 867, in an excursus on assurance, which I found incredibly helpful. I hope my readers will as well.

Beale's 'Three Angles of Assurance'

[Since] Christians do not reach perfection and they sin to varying degrees and in varying ways, and even the most righteous saints become increasingly aware of how sinful they are, how can they be assured that they have a true saving relationship with God? There is no simple answer to this, but there is what may be understood as a cumulative answer that comes from different angles of consideration. We may view the believer’s assurance from three angles, with each angle contributing to an aspect of assurance.

Each point of the [above] triangle represents a truth about how a Christian receives assurance.

Trust in God’s Promise of Salvation through Christ

First, God promises throughout the NT that those who place their faith in Christ and his redemptive work will receive an inner assurance that they have truly benefited from Christ’s work (the top of the triangle). [Beale goes on to discuss 1 John 5:9-15 in support of this point and continues] in this passage from 1 John assurance of true faith comes from (1) the internal witness of the Spirit; (2) the reliability of God’s word that he will give life in the Son to those who believe; (3) the confidence that God hears and answers the faithful prayers of those who ask for salvation in the Son. In fact, the purpose of the entire epistle of 1 John is to give this assurance (v. 13).

Good Works

The role of “good works” is a second angle from which to view the nature of assurance (the bottom left part of the triangle). As we have seen, one who has truly been resurrected (Eph. 2:4-6) and thus becomes a part of the new creation will inevitably and increasingly be characterized by good works (Eph. 2:10) instead of behaving like “dead people” in bondage to “trespasses and sins” (Eph. 2:1-3). Likewise 2 Pet. 1:3-4 explains that Christians possess God’s “divine power” and reflect God’s image (the “divine nature”), and on this basis they are to grow in the fruits of godliness (vv. 5-8). [Beale goes on to discuss verses 10-11 and concludes that] assurance of one’s “calling and choosing” and final “entrance into the eternal kingdom” increases with growth in doing godly things.

Accordingly, believers’ assurance of truly being part of the new creation comes as they look back at their former life and see the changes that have come about since they became Christian. Those who may have grown up from an early age as a Christian may not have such radical differences between their past and present. Nevertheless, they should not be characterized by the kinds of sins that Paul lists in 1 Cor. 6:9-10. Such people also gain a degree of assurance from this recognition. All Christians, to one degree or another, ought to be able to look back and see that they have progressed in godliness during the course of their Christian lives (recalling also that as such growth occurs, ironically so does increasing awareness of remaining sin). This observation ought to bolster Christians’ confidence that they are genuine.

Given time, if confessing believers have not changed the ungodly lifestyles of their former believing lives, then such people should not be given assurance that they have truly believed. Perhaps they are true Christians, but they should not have affirmation that they are…. Possibly, such a lack of assurance might shock them either into the reality of their faith, so that they change, or shock them into truly believing for the first time.

Conviction by the Spirit

The presence of the conviction of sin within professing Christians is a third angle from which to understand assurance… When Christians think or do unholy things, there should be immediate conflict and dissonance with the indwelling Holy Spirit, who is in the process of causing the believer to reach the goal of complete end-time righteousness. Those who are accordingly convicted about their sin will express repentance and change their sinful ways. Those who have no conviction about indwelling sin should have no conviction that they are genuine saints.

Therefore, faithful, growing Christians should receive multiple assurances from these three angles, which have a cumulative force, enhancing the overall sense of confidence about the reality of their Christian experience. What if a Christian is inconsistent in progressing in good works, and an area of life is not under submission to the Lord of the new creation? Such a person should be under great conviction about this sin, and if so, it is a good sign that the Spirit is really in the person, bringing about conviction. Such a person should not doubt knowing God, unless as time goes on the conviction over sin does not issue into repentance, a turning away from the sin being committed.

However, no confidence should exist in those who profess to believe in Jesus but who reflect no discernible change for the good in their lifestyles and who have no conviction about changing their sinful ways.

Generally, the closer people get to God as faith grows, the more such people will desire to please God by what they do, and the more they will be convicted by the remaining sin in them. As a result, they will have even greater assurance as they progress in their Christian lives. [excerpted from pp. 867-870]

I find Beale’s advice to be both important and encouraging. Even our awareness of failure can encourage us, and the very fight against sin is an evidence of being a legitimate child of God (see my post on Heb. 12 on that point). For more on the Biblical teaching on perseverance see any of the following articles:

You can purchase Beale’s book at any of the following retailers: Westminster Bookstore, Monergism Books, Christianbook.com, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or direct from Baker.

Bob’s Best Books of 2012

I’m quite late this year in compiling my list of the top books I read or reviewed this past year. Better late than never! There were many great books that came across my desk, and I couldn’t begin to read all of them, although I wanted to. The following titles represent the very best of the books I did read or review in 2012, and I’m happy to recommend each of them for your consideration.

Bob’s 10 Best:

A New Testament Biblical Theology: The Unfolding of the Old Testament in the New by G.K. BealeBest “Theology” bookA New Testament Biblical Theology: The Unfolding of the Old Testament in the New by G.K. Beale (Baker). This book technically doesn’t qualify for my list. I’m only 2/3 of the way done with its 1,000 pages! But it has been so rewarding that I just couldn’t fail to include Beale’s masterpiece in my list. The last couple years I’ve been grabbing everything I can find by Beale, having finished his Temple and the Church’s Mission. This book is the fruit of his years of careful study and reflection on the biblical text. It is biblical theology par excellence. For more on this book, see this book excerpt or listen to Mark Dever’s interview with him. My review is forthcoming available here.

Christ-Centered Biblical Theology: Hermeneutical Foundations and Principles by Graeme GoldsworthyHonorable MentionChrist-Centered Biblical Theology: Hermeneutical Foundations and Principles by Graeme Goldsworthy (IVP). Another biblical theology gem is this work by Graeme Goldsworthy. This book focuses on the method Goldsworthy developed and used over the last several decades. It is the reflection on a lifetime of work by a faithful Bible teacher. Everyone won’t agree with all of Goldsworthy’s particular emphases, but his recovery of the Old Testament for Christian preaching is his greatest gift to the church. This book fleshes out where his inspiration comes from and makes for a great read. Read my review for more on this book.

Invitation to Biblical Interpretation: Exploring the Hermeneutical Triad of History, Literature, and Theology by Andreas Kostenberger and Richard PattersonBest “Commentary & Reference” bookInvitation to Biblical Interpretation: Exploring the Hermeneutical Triad of History, Literature, and Theology by Andreas Kostenberger and Richard Patterson (Kregel). I still joke about the beginning of this volume. 13 pages of endorsements – 39 in all. I think the publishers got carried away a bit in their excitement about the title. But just picking up this volume and leafing through it is all it takes to agree with them. It is the most useful work on hermeneutics I’ve ever seen, arranged beautifully, indexed and then full of applications and practical exercises. I’m sure it will soon find a wide use in college and seminary classrooms and a warm welcome in Bible institutes and Sunday Schools everywhere. Read my review for more on this book.

Bloodlines: Race, Cross, and the Christian by John PiperBest “General Christian Interest” bookBloodlines: Race, Cross, and the Christian by John Piper (Crossway). John Piper shares his own experiences with racism in the deep south, in this moving book. He challenges the conservative church to wake up to its nascent racism and do some serious soul searching. Particularly intriguing is Piper’s explanation of the five points of Calvinism and how they should make us more loving and accepting of minorities, rather than proud and condemnatory. His characteristic passion bleeds through every page of this well named title. Read my review for more on this book.

Accidental Pharisees: Avoiding Pride, Exclusivity, and the Other Dangers of Overzealous Faith by Larry OsborneBest “Christian Living” bookAccidental Pharisees: Avoiding Pride, Exclusivity, and the Other Dangers of Overzealous Faith by Larry Osborne (Zondervan). It takes a certain personality and special gift to be able to tell people that they are really a self-righteous Pharisee at heart, and do so with a smile on one’s face. Larry Osborne disarms the reader even as he performs delicate heart surgery. So many of us have a tendency toward exclusivity, legalism and better-than-thou-ism. Osborne helps us to see what lies at the root of this tendency and simultaneously encourages and challenges us to pursue the radical freedom that Christ extends to us. Read my review for more on this book.

The Astonishing Adventures of Missionary Max by Andrew ComingsBest “Missions & Church Life” bookThe Astonishing Adventures of Missionary Max by Andrew Comings (Engage Faith Press). This title would have won my fiction category, but I needed a missions or church title. This is the best book that most of my readers haven’t heard about. It’s a first novel, and published in a serial format. It does have a certain comic book character, but the writing is top-notch. Edge of your seat stuff, seriously, with a real Christian message. I think I described the story as Indiana Jones meets David Livingstone, and that about sums up this exciting title. Read my review for more on this book.

Matthew Henry: His Life and Influence by Allan HarmanBest “Church History & BiographyMatthew Henry: His Life and Influence by Allan Harman (Christian Focus). For a true story of a godly man, this book is hard to beat. Almost everyone has heard of Matthew Henry, or at least used his commentary, which is easily the most widely printed and accessible Bible Commentary ever. But few of us know much about Matthew Henry the man. This book is a very readable account of Henry that will educate and inspire the reader. Read my review for more on this book.

 

The Meaning of Marriage: Facing the Complexities of Commitment with the Wisdom of God by Tim KellerBest “Childrens & Family” bookThe Meaning of Marriage: Facing the Complexities of Commitment with the Wisdom of God by Tim Keller (Dutton). I listened to the Audible.com audio version of this book, and I enjoyed it so much I bought the hardback copy too. Anything by Keller is worth reading but his thoughts on marriage are priceless. He brings a unique blend of Biblical wisdom and realistic reflection sprinkled with insights from popular culture and research. I’ve read scores of books on marriage but this stands alone. It’s counter-cultural for both the world and its secularism, and the Church and its baptized romanticism. For more on this book, see this book excerpt. My review is forthcoming.

Lady Jane Grey by Simonetta CarrHonorable MentionLady Jane Grey by Simonetta Carr (Reformation Heritage). This is a beautifully produced book on a true Christian heroine. I don’t remember hearing the story of Lady Jane Grey before, or at least realizing that she viewed her suffering as a persecution for her faith. This book includes a touching letter written by Jane to her sister exhorting her to continue in the faith despite what trials may await her. This is a truly inspirational title that I’m thrilled to be able to have my girls read. Read my review for more on this book.

The Last Temple by Hank Hanegraaf and Sigmund BrouwerBest “Fiction” bookThe Last Temple by Hank Hanegraaf and Sigmund Brouwer (Tyndale House). With this title, I had to go back and read the first two books in the series first. I wasn’t sure what to expect with Hanegraaf’s series and was pleased to find it wasn’t a polemic against other end times positions so much as it was a very well conceived story in its own right that does follow a partial preterist interpretation of the Book of Revelation. The attention to detail bring the years before A.D. 70 to life as we follow the characters around the Roman world, from Rome to Alexandria, on sea and over land, to dungeons, arenas, and even to the cross itself on a hillside in Judea. We are inside and outside Jerusalem in the years leading up to its devastation, and the story is believable yet mysterious and keeps you guessing until the end. It’s a rewarding tale in its own right and also serves to show how the Book of Revelation may have been understood in its own day. For more on this book, view the book trailer. My review is forthcoming available here.

All the Rest:

In 2012, I reviewed 24 books — bringing the total of my book and media reviews to 139 from more than 35 different publishers. I slowed down my pace of reviews this year, probably due to the pace of life speeding up (we had our sixth child last year). You can see all my reviews listed here. I did read 47 books, and you can see that list at Goodreads.

For my previous “Bob’s Best Books” lists, see below.

Additionally, if you are an avid reader, you may want to follow my reviews or friend me on Goodreads or LibraryThing.

Sermon Download: The Parable of the Generous Father

I was blessed to be able to fill in for our pastor again this Sunday. This was my second “New Years” sermon (see this one from last year).

If you don’t have time to listen to the entire sermon (which is only around 35 minutes), please do look over my notes. I believe this message is really important as it reveals the heart of the Gospel – the Father’s generous love and amazing grace.

I didn’t depend exclusively on any one resource for my message, but I was influenced heavily by Tim Keller’s book The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith. That book is a quick read and would make a great book to start 2013 out with. I highly recommend it. (You can pick up a copy inexpensively from Amazon, Christianbook.com, or Westminster Bookstore.)

Enjoy the sermon and if you have any feedback, please feel free to share a comment or contact me.

          Place: Beacon of Hope Church, St. Paul
          Date: December 30, 2012
          Title: The Parable of the Generous Father
          Text: Luke 15:1-3, 11-32
          Notes: Download PDF
          Audio Link: Listen online or download (right click the link and
          save it to your computer)

A Survey of the Reformation, pts. 7 – 10: The Five Points of Calvinism, Answering Objections & Why the Reformation Matters

This Fall, I’ve been teaching a 10 part Adult Sunday School series called “A Survey of the Reformation: Its History and Doctrine.” We finally have the audio up for the final four lessons in this series. I finish out the Five Points of Calvinism over the course of these lessons, and in the final session I make room for answering objections and wrap up the series looking at why all this matters.

The lesson plan for the entire series (which has changed some) is below, and you can download the audio or view the slides from the lessons as they are completed.

    HISTORY

  1. Introduction & An Overview of Church History – Download the Audio, View the Slides.
  2. Forerunners of the Reformation – Download the Audio, View the Slides.
  3. The Protestant Reformation – Audio not available, View the Slides.
  4. Puritanism & The Legacy of the Reformers – Download the Audio, View the Slides.
  5. DOCTRINE

  6. Reformation Doctrine: The Big Picture – Download the Audio, View the Slides
  7. Total Depravity & Irresistable Grace – Download the Audio, View the Slides
  8. Total Depravity & Irresistable Grace (cont.) – Download the Audio, View the Slides
  9. Particular Redemption and Unconditional Election – Download the Audio, View the Slides
  10. Unconditional Election (cont.) & Perseverance of the Saints – Download the Audio, View the Slides
  11. Perseverance of the Saints (cont.), Answering Objections, & Why the Reformation Matters Today – Download the Audio, View the Slides

I used a variety of resources for this series, but the four I recommend to my SS class are listed here below: