MUCH of the teaching of the Scriptures is of a symbolic character which served to make the truth more intelligible to the reader, and which may have protected it from the mockery of the scoffer. Our Leader writes in Science and Health (p. 575) that "spiritual teaching must always be by symbols." The name of a Bible character was sometimes changed to symbolize a change of thought; for example, as Jacob grew in spiritual understanding his name was changed to Israel. Saul became Paul when he was spiritually enlightened. The Master changed Simon's name to Peter, signifying a rock.
The parable is a characteristic oriental way of teaching spiritual truths, a very engaging, interesting, and impressive method; indeed, as Cruden tells us, "the parabolical, enigmatical, figurative, and sententious way of speaking was the language of the eastern sages and learned men." The prophets of the Old Testament made use of the parable, which reached perfection in the hand of the Master in the New Testament. The shepherd has ever been a favorite type of religious thought, and the word pastor means shepherd. Sheep are symbols of God's elect, and the relation between Christ Jesus and his followers is figuratively compared to the shepherd's relation to his flock. The shepherd's crook became a scepter or badge of authority in the hand of a ruler. The lamb has always been an emblem of purity, and the lamb slain for the Passover seems to have become a type of the "Lamb of God, which taketh away the sins of the world." Fire, as well as water, is used as a type of purification. Sea becomes a symbol of chaos, and the sea-serpent represents evil personified. In St. John's vision of the new heaven and new earth "there was no more sea."
Numbers had a special significance for the Hebrews and other oriental nations, which we do not in all cases understand. Certain numbers, as seven, ten, forty, one hundred, were types of completeness. The number three had peculiar significance, and was regarded as specially mystical; for instance, in its application to the Trinity, the threefold nature of God. Holy was repeated three times, and the form of the priestly blessing was threefold. Isaiah walked barefoot for three years, and Daniel prayed three times daily. Jonah was three days in the depths. The three temptations of Jesus correspond to the threefold temptation in Eden. Jesus' ministration lasted three years, and he was in the sepulcher three days, working out the great problem of life for all ages. Baptism was in the name of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, and there were three baptismal elements which typified purification, namely, water, fire, and wind. Faith, hope, and charity are the three great Christian virtues operating through Christian Science in leavening the three measures of meal, the conditions of mortal thought in this age.
