1 : the expression by means of symbolic fictional figures and actions of truths or generalizations about human existence; also : an instance (as in a story or painting) of such expression2 : a symbolic representation The Apostle Paul uses the word “allegory” in Galatians 4:24 of the King James Bible when he writes concerning the Two Covenants, and the first two sons of Abraham. He writes: “which things are an allegory”, meaning that Ishmael/Hagar were illustrating the Old Covenant and Isaac/Sarah were illustrating the New Covenant. Seeing the allegory of the two (2) covenants is just the beginning.

There are other covenants besides these two, of course, but it’s important to recognize the contrasts and comparisons between the Old Covenant for the Jew under the Law, and the New Covenant for the Gentile by his grace and our active faith.

The story of King David and how his affair with Bathsheba led to the murder of her husband Uriah, and it’s a classic example of allegory. The man of God, Nathan, comes to David and tells him about a rich man with many flocks who takes a poor man’s only lamb to serve to his guests. Apparently David didn’t see it coming, and declared out of his own mouth how that the rich man should die for his actions. That’s when Nathan said to him “Thou art the man”.

David should have recognized the allegory right away, how it was Bathsheba who was the “lamb” that Uriah loved. But he was deceived and in sin. Nathan went on to tell him about the consequences of his action and, to his credit, David acknowledged his sin against the LORD. Have you heard the word of God from the man of God? Have you confessed your secret sins to the Lord? If so, then receive the “sure mercies of David”, Acts 13:34. That is the allegory. Today we all must receive the word by repentance, faith, and baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sin. Allegory of the Cup.It nearly goes unnoticed in Genesis 44 when Joseph ordered that his own silver cup be “planted” in his younger brother Benjamin’s sack. As no explanation is given anywhere in the Old Testament concerning why he would want to frame him and have him labeled as a thief. Joseph and Benjamin were full brothers; born of the formerly barren Rachel who had died giving birth to Benjamin. In hindsight, their names: Joseph (“the Lord will add a son”) and Benjamin (“son of the right hand”) are clearly applicable to Jesus who wouldn’t be born in Bethlehem for another two thousand years. The psalms tell us how “my cup runneth over”, Psalm 23:5. Now we are not ignorant of figurative “cups”, but the allegorical clincher is when Jesus declares in the Garden of Gethsemane:”The cup which my father has given me, shall I not drink it?” God gave Jesus the cup, just as Joseph gave the cup to Benjamin! That’s the allegory! The scripture “He was numbered with the transgressors”, Isaiah 53:12/ Mark15:28, reminds us that Benjamin wasn’t really a thief (the cup had been planted in his sack, and he wasn’t involved in the bloody coat event) and of how Jesus was different from those he was crucified with. Joseph didn’t reveal himself to his brothers on their first visit, but he told them they must surely have the little brother Benjamin with them when they returned. Likewise, the Jews didn’t recognize their King, and if you don’t have Jesus in your heart/life (Galatians 3:27, Romans 6:4, and Acts 2:38) when He returns, you won’t be going with Him! Allegory of the Bread.As we read the Scriptures, the first real glimmer of insight into this amazing truth comes when Jesus claimed to be the Living Bread! John 6:35. Who would have suspected such a development?

Then, when we arrive at 1Corinthians 10:17 and understand that We the People are “one body and one bread”, it adds fuel to the logic of this revelation. This is not Jesus alone, but his followers are also termed “bread” and we’re forced to acknowledge that this isn’t just the usual bakery bread we need for strong bodies, but is spiritual bread for mankind who is “spirit, soul, and body” according to 1Thessalonians 5:23.

The Pharisees, Sadducees, and various denominations refuse to acknowledge this truth, even to this very day, and it’s a shame because the analogy doesn’t stop there. We have to recognize how the Old Covenant emphasizes the Flat Bread (without leaven) which did not rise, and compare it to the improved New Covenant “bread” which is going to “rise and meet the Lord in the air” according to 1 Thessalonians 4:16.

Does that mean that everyone is going to rise and meet the Lord in the air? No. The allegory requires that we be filled with this hidden (Matthew 13:33) leaven which is “Christ in you, the hope of glory”, Colossians 1:27. The allegory demands that only those who really are following after Christ, and ready with their oil, (Which is the Holy Spirit, which comes in after our baptism. See Matthew 3:12-17, Colossians 2:12, and 1 Peter 3:21) will be like the five wise virgins of Matthew 25.

Allegory of the Lamb.It was John the Baptist who introduced Jesus “Behold, the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world”, John1:29. The Jews knew about the Passover Lamb, but this concept of how a “person” could be a lamb would not of set well with them. In their thinking, the Passover Lamb was for the saving of the Jews (Israel), and definitely wasn’t for a world full of pagans, infidels, and Gentiles.

It had all began with the obstinate Pharaoh in Egypt who refused to allow the Israeli’s to depart for their “promised land”. The final plague called for all the “first-born” to die, except for those who selected their “Lamb” and then killed it and smeared the blood over the doorways to their residence. Those living at that time couldn’t see this as a precept, of course, but once Jesus was identified as the “Lamb”, and this allegory supports the need of his sacrifice at Calvary.

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