The Shadow

      A shadow is nothing more than an indefinite representation of whatever it is that cast it.  A shadow can only depict a very vague image of its cause.  A tree is a good example of this.  A tree has many branches and leaves, which provide shade for people and animals so it serves a good purpose.  However, the shadow does not show the leaves or their colors, or any other of the finer details.  This type of relationship may also be called a type and antitype.  This concept of a shadow has great Biblical significance.  The second chapter of Colossians teaches that the Old Testament was a shadow of the New.  Just from understanding the relationship of a shadow as mentioned already, this text can be somewhat understood.  While (as can be seen in Colossians two) the specific details of the two testaments are different, they both have the same cause.  God initiated both covenants, and while the details of each are somewhat different, it is certain that the principles are the same because in each testament God declares His immutability.  Therefore, it can be known with certainty that God has expected the same from man through all the ages of time.  There is another great lesson that can be received from a study of Colossians chapter two.  Verse 14 declares that the Old Testament had been blotted out by Christ upon His death, burial, resurrection and ascension.  At which point the New was in full force (Hebrews 9:17).  Because of this, Colossians 2:16-17 says “Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of a holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.”  Here Paul says that the Old Law had ended and that it is not at all binding in this New Testament age!  Yet many denominations as well as the catholic church are guilty of imposing the things listed here!  However, this does not make the Old Testament useless; nothing could be further from the truth!  In Romans 15:4 Paul writes that “those things which were written aforetime were written for our learning”.  In this respect, the Old Testament has great value because it provides many situations and events that people of this day still encounter, and because the immutability of God those principles can still be trusted in, therefore people are capable of finding out how to work through those situations.  It is confusing why people today still want to uphold all or part of the practice of the Old Testament, especially since most people who elect to do so are not Jewish people.  The Bible states that even when the Old Law was in effect, it was never binding to anyone who was not an Israelite (Romans 3:19)!