How the Old Testament Points Us to Christ

In Galatians, we've seen Paul lean on the Old Testament quite a bit to make the case for justification through faith in Christ alone. Here's how Nancy Guthrie lists the variety of ways the OT can point us to Jesus Christ.

1. A problem that only Christ can solve (the curse, our inability to keep the law, our alienation from God)
2. A promise only Christ can fulfill (blessing, presence of God with us)
3. A need that only Christ can meet (salvation from judgment, life beyond death)
4. A pattern or theme that only comes to resolution in Christ (kingdom, rest)
5. A story that only comes to its conclusion through Christ (the people of God, creation/fall/redemption/consummation)
6. A person who prefigures an aspect of who Christ will be or what he will do by analogy and/or contrast (Joseph, Moses, David)
7. An event or symbol that pictures an aspect of who Christ will be or what he will do (ark, exodus, sacrifices)
8. A revelation of the pre-incarnate Christ (wrestling with Jacob, commander of the Lord’s army)