Symbolism

May it not be said, especially of us ministers, “You are Israel’s teacher, and do you not understand these things? … I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?” – John 3:10, 12

What’s more important: the symbol or the thing symbolized? the image or the real? the wedding ring or the marriage? the photograph or the wife? man or God? The answers are obvious.

Symbols are not unimportant, however. Disrespect for the symbol translates as disrespect for the thing symbolized. Spitting on my wife’s picture insults my wife’s person. Murder defaces the image of God and thus expresses disdain for God Himself. Disregard for your spouse, i.e. for your marriage, reflects your perspective of Christ’s relationship with His Church. To shun participation in water baptism and the Lord’s supper is to shun the Lord Himself.

Symbols are important. However, it is possible to idolize a symbol while still scorning the thing symbolized, which is why Hezekiah destroyed the brass serpent. It is also possible to overreact to such idolatry with a total disregard for the symbol while claiming an emphasis on “what’s really important.” But both extremes are likely the result from failing to appropriately connect the type with the antitype.

A fuller understanding of the greater real often results in a deeper appreciation for and participation with the symbol. Those who deeply love God are more inclined to evidently love their neighbor, the image of God.

They appreciate the symbol, but they also remember its place. The sewer guy who lost his wedding ring at work will not assume that, when he gets home, his wife will be missing. Solomon spent 7 years building a temple for the LORD that was likely the grandest of his day, yet he recognized its inadequacy. I Kings 8:12-13, 27 – “Then spake Solomon, The LORD said that he would dwell in the thick darkness. I have surely built thee an house to dwell in, a settled place for thee to abide in for ever. … But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have built?”

Though not insignificant, symbols can eventually become unnecessary; but until the reality becomes full and complete, the symbol remains important and appropriate. Symbols abound in the Holy Scriptures and in our lives. Symbols speak. – Indeed, they cannot be silent. – What are they saying about God? What are we saying about God? -- Read, observe, study, learn, grow, explore, and discover.

I Corinthians 9:9-10a – “For it is written in the Law of Moses: ‘Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.’ Is it about oxen that God is concerned? Surely He says this for us, doesn’t He? Yes, this was written for us, ….” (See also reference from Deut. 25:4)