The Law Is A Shadow

From Shadows to Substance: The Fulfillment of the Law in Christ

The old covenant law serves as a shadow of the things to come, emphasizing its limitations and pointing towards the perfect sacrifice of Christ that takes away sin once and for all.

These verses teach us that the sacrifices offered under the law were inadequate for salvation, and that they foreshadowed the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus, who fulfills the purpose of the law by providing complete redemption from sin.

The law serves only as a shadow of the true substance found in Christ, who offers complete and final forgiveness for our sins through His sacrifice.

1. Shadowed Imperfection

Hebrews 10:1

The law was never intended to bring perfection but only serve as a shadow of the better covenant to come. This sets the stage for understanding how clinging to old rituals can be futile when compared to the transformative power of Christ's sacrifice. This point helps the congregation appreciate the transition from the imperfection of the law to the completeness found in Jesus.

Hebrews 10:1 ESV

For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near.

A true type is the counterpart of its antitype, and, being specifically devised by God, is a vital part of revelation and inspiration. Even if the human mind could conceive the marvels of the antitype (which it could never do), it could not draw the pattern found in the type nor invent the manifold details—often incorporating many particulars and expansive circumstances which are a part of ancient history. Thus typology as incorporated in the Bible demonstrates the Bible to be such a book as man could not write if he would. It is divine in its origin as it is superhuman in its character.11 Chafer, L. S. (1993). Systematic theology (Vol. 1, p. 31). Kregel Publications.

It is the additional teaching of the book of Hebrews that the Old Testament revelation was a material revelation, the spiritual truth being encased in earthly and cultural shells, and one of types, shadows, and parables—whereas the New Testament is a spiritual revelation, and contains the substance, reality, and fulfilment of the Old Covenant forms.11 Ramm, B. (1970). Protestant Biblical interpretation: a textbook of hermeneutics (Third Revised Edition, p. 103). Baker Books.

On the other hand, the antitype serves to lift the type out of the commonplace into that which is transcendental, and to invest it with riches and treasures hitherto unrevealed11 Chafer, L. S. (1993). Systematic theology (Vol. 1, p. 31). Kregel Publications.

The continuity of the Scriptures, prophecy and its fulfillment, and types with their antitypes, are the three major factors which not only serve to exhibit the unity of the two Testaments and, like woven threads running from one Testament to the other, bind them into one fabric, but serve to trace the design which by its marvelous character glorifies the Designer.11 Chafer, L. S. (1993). Systematic theology (Vol. 1, p. 31). Kregel Publications.

Before Christ, the entire service of types and shadows had significance which it lost immediately after the Advent. To continue it after the Advent would be equivalent to a denial and repudiation of His coming. One’s shadow goes before him; when he steps into the light the shadow disappears. Hence the Holy Spirit performed a special work for the saints of God by giving them a temporary service of types and shadows.11 Kuyper, A. (1900). The work of the Holy Spirit (p. 53). Funk & Wagnalls.

A type is a divinely framed delineation which portrays its antitype. It is God’s own illustration of His truth drawn by His own hand. The type and the antitype are related to each other by the fact that the connecting truth or principle is embodied in each. It is not the prerogative of the type to establish the truth of a doctrine; it rather enhances the force of the truth as set forth in the antitype.11 Chafer, L. S. (1993). Systematic theology (Vol. 1, p. 31). Kregel Publications.

What God then did was to institute a system of animal sacrifices and offerings to teach the people (elementary) lessons on the need for repentance and sacrifice to cover their guilt and restore fellowship with God. However, this, in the nature of things, could only be a temporary patch, as the problem, crudely put, did not lie between animals and God but humans and God. The fact was that the blood of goats and bulls could never take away sin.11 Lennox, J. C. (2024). Friend of God: The Inspiration of Abraham in an Age of Doubt. SPCK Publishing.

2. Sacrificial Reminder

Hebrews 10:2 ESV

Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins?

Hebrews 10:3 ESV

But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year.

3. Sufficient Sacrifice

Hebrews 10:4 ESV

For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

The inadequacy of animal sacrifices to truly remove sins, as this verse sharply contrasts them with the sufficient sacrifice of Christ. This final point stresses the power and sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice, encouraging us to rest in the assurance of salvation, freeing them from the cycle of striving for perfection through our own efforts.