Scripture records Christ as “the last Adam” in 1 Cor 15:45. Were there others who stood in as an “Adam” in the course of redemptive history? I think the Bible shows this to be the case, with Noah, Abraham, David, and the nation of Israel (summed up in Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob) being the “interim Adams” before the last One appeared.
This chart shows my view on how Israel fulfilled this role.
Comparing Adam and Israel
ADAM | ISRAEL |
Formed by God from the dust of the earth.
(Gen 2:7; 1 Cor 15:47) |
Formed by God from the dust of the people of the world. (Gen 11:10 – 11:3; Deut 7:7) |
Was brought to life by the word and breath of God. (Gen 1:26 & 27; 2:7) | Was brought into being by the word of God. (Gen 12:2 & 3; 15:1; Ex 3) |
Had close fellowship with God. (Gen 2:15ff; 3:8a) | Had close fellowship with God. (Gen 15; Ex 15; 2 Kings 23:1 – 27) |
Was given a covenant within which to live and prosper. (Gen 2:16 & 17; Hosea 6:7) | Was given a covenant within which to live and prosper. (Gen 17:14; Ex 19:3 – 6; 24:3 – 8; Neh 9 & 10) |
Broke the covenant and received the penalty of death, which was carried out in due time. (Gen 3:6 & 7; 22 – 24; 5:5) | Broke the covenant and received the penalty of death, which was carried out in the fullness of time. (Deut 31:16 – 18; Judges 2:11 – 15; Jer 11:10 – 13; 1 Kings 11:9 – 11; Ezek 44:1 – 7; Hosea 6:7) |
Was cast out of the garden, cursed to walk and work in the world which was wrecked by The Fall. (Gen 3:23 & 24; 3:17 – 19) | Was divorced by God, left desolate, cursed to walk and work in darkness until the light of Christ. (Jer 3:6 – 10; Matt 15:12 – 14; 23:37 & 38; 2 Cor 3:12 – 17) |
As a type of Christ, Adam points us to the anti-type, Christ Jesus, in whom there is life for Adam’s children who are secure in the Last Adam. (1 Cor 15:45) | As an echo of Adam, Israel points us to the anti-type, Christ Jesus, in whom there is life for Abraham’s children of promise. (Gal 4:21 – 31) |