Every animal that is typical of the believer is also in some way typical of Christ. There are seven animals that are used in this double way: the lamb, the calf, the dove, the hart, the lion, the sheep, and the serpent. We will just look at each briefly.
The lamb is typical of Christ in suffering (as led to the slaughter) in death (the Lamb slain), and in glory (the Lamb is the light thereof). It is typical of the believer in feebleness and dependence (as lambs among wolves), also of young believers specially (Feed my lambs).
The calf is typical generally of Christ in death, and specially of Him as the best thing our Father's heart can give us for food. It is also typical of the prosperity of those who form the Jewish remnant, and who fear the Lord, to whom Christ shall arise with “ healing in His wings.”
The dove is typical of Christ in death, being the offering provided for the one who was too poor to buy an ox or a sheep. The believer is also called upon to be as harmless as a dove, while the turtle dove in Psalm 74:1919O deliver not the soul of thy turtledove unto the multitude of the wicked: forget not the congregation of thy poor for ever. (Psalm 74:19) is emblematical of God's people in affliction.
The hart (male deer) is beautifully used in the Song of Solomon as figurative of Christ, and in the Psalms as figurative of the earnest longing of the believer's soul. It is further typical of the believer's joy, and of the security and sure footedness of those who trust in God.
The lion is one of the titles of Christ in the Apocalypse, symbolical of strength and power, doubtless also alluding to the description of Judah in Gen. 49 It is also used by the prophet Micah to show the strength of the faithful remnant of God's people when surrounded by their enemies. No other animal is used in such varied similes as this, which is typical not only of God, of Christ, of Judah, and of the faithful remnant, but also of the wicked cities of Nineveh and Babylon, of rebellious Israel, of Christ's crucifiers, and even of Satan himself.
The sheep in her dumbness and patience at shearing time is typical of our Lord in His sufferings. It is also typical of all believers, once lost, now found.
The serpent (the last of the seven) made in brass and lifted upon a pole is typical of Christ as the only saving object for the eye of faith to rest on, while believers are to be “ wise as serpents,” though “ guileless as doves.”
In our natural state it is not so. The unconverted man is compared in value to an ass, the ransom money for both being the same; also to a dog in his uncleanness and shamelessness, but to neither of these is Christ ever compared.
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