Systematic Theology, by Louis Berkhof - New Leaven

Isaac, and Jacob were mere sojourners in the land of promise, dwelling there as
strangers and pilgrims. The temporal promise of the covenant was not yet fulfilled.
Hence there was less danger of fixing the mind too exclusively on the material
blessings, as the Jews did later on. The early patriarchs had a clearer understanding of
the symbolical significance of those temporal possessions, and looked for a heavenly
city, Gal. 4:25,26; Heb. 11:9,10.
c. In the understanding of the universal destination of the covenant. The universal
destination of the covenant was more clearly evident in the patriarchal period. Abraham
was told that in his seed all the nations of the world would be blessed, Gen. 22:18; Rom.
4:13-77; Gal. 3:8. The Jews gradually lost sight of this important fact, and proceeded on
the assumption that the blessings of the covenant were to be restricted to the Jewish
nation. The later prophets, however, stressed the universality of the promises, and thus
revived the consciousness of the world-wide significance of the covenant.
But while these differences existed, there were several important points in which the
pre- and post-Mosaic periods agreed, and in which they together differed from the
Christian dispensation. While their difference from each other is simply one of degree,
their common difference from the New Testament dispensation is one of contrast. As
over against the Christian dispensation, the two Old Testament periods agree:
a. In the representation of the Mediator as a seed that was still future. The whole Old
Testament points forward to the coming Messiah. This forward look characterizes the
protevangel, the promise given to the patriarchs, the whole Mosaic ritual, and the
central messages of the prophets.
b. In prefiguring the coming Redeemer in ceremonies and types. It is perfectly true that
these increased after the giving of the law, but they were present long before that time.
Sacrifices were offered as early as the days of Cain and Abel, and also had a piacular
character, pointing forward to the great sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Those who served as
priests foreshadowed the coming of the great High Priest. In distinction from the Old
Testament, the New is commemorative rather than prefigurative.
c. In prefiguring the vicissitudes of those who were destined to share in the spiritual realities
of the covenant in the earthly career of those groups which stood in covenant relationship with
God. The pilgrimage of the patriarchs in the Holy Land, the servitude in Egypt, the
entrance into Canaan, all pointed forward to higher spiritual things. In the New
Testament all these types reach their fulfilment and therefore cease.
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