The Hebrew alphabet has twenty-two letters, and according to the rabbis and to Psalm 119 these letters have meanings. The 22nd letter, tav, is said to be defined as “truth and perfection,” and “judgement.” The tav, before its modern design, was in the shape of an “X” or a cross.

Psalm 22 is a prophecy of the Cross. It begins in verse one with, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” I am sure you recognize the words of Jesus on the Cross. The psalm continues; “all my bones are out of joint” (verse 14), “they pierced my hands and my feet” (verse 16), “They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture” (verse 18).

Genesis 22 contains the story of Abraham offering Isaac, the son through whom all mankind was to be blessed, as a sacrifice. This is one of my favorite foreshadows. Abraham is a type of God, our Heavenly Father. Isaac is a type of Jesus, His “only begotten Son.” Abraham was prepared to sacrifice the “child of promise.” The Lord actually sacrificed His Son. According to Josephus and Hebrew tradition, Isaac was about 30 years old, about the same age as Jesus when He began His ministry, when this occurred. If this is so, then Abraham was about 130 years old, and it indicates that Isaac allowed himself to be bound on the altar, just as Jesus allowed Himself to be crucified. And the story took place on Mount Moriah, where later the Temple of God was built.

Second Samuel 22 also follows this pattern. Ostensibly it is about King David, but there are several verses that point to the Lord Jesus. “I was also upright before him, and have kept myself from mine iniquity.” (verse 24) This is Jesus. David was not sinless. “Thou hast kept me [to be] head of the heathen (gentiles): a people [which] I knew not shall serve me.” (verse 44) When Jesus returns, He will be King of kings and Lord of lords. That includes the heathen (gentiles).

In fact, Second Samuel 22:8-16 sounds like the Return of Jesus. The language is apocalyptic. “Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations of heaven moved and shook, because he was wroth.” (verse 8) “He opened the heavens and came down; dark storm clouds were beneath his feet.” (verse 10) “The foundations of the world were discovered, at the rebuking of the LORD” (verse 16). The best is saved for the last verse of chapter 22. “[He is] the tower of salvation for his king: and shows mercy to his anointed (Jesus), unto David, and to his seed for evermore.” Jesus is the Lord’s anointed. The Hebrew word for anointed in this verse is mashiyach (Strong’s H4899) This word is also translated Messiah.

The Revelation 22 is about Jesus and His coming. “Behold, I come quickly.” (verses 7, 12) The Lord repeated this for emphasis. He restated it again in verse 20, “Surely I come quickly.” The same statement three times must mean that the Lord Jesus is serious.

Chapter 22 is about Jesus, Who personifies the “truth and perfection” of the tav. It is about the Messiah, whether in Genesis, the Psalms, Second Samuel, the Revelation, or other books. It is a tav chapter and tells of Jesus and the Cross. “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” (Revelation 22:20) Amen.