Did you realize that there are multiple instances from the Old Testament which foreshadow the Eucharist? Searching within the Old Testament will help us find the different ways the Eucharist is prefigured.

The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, and the Tree of Life : The fruits of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil (Genesis 2:16-17) and the Tree of Life (Genesis 3:22) in the Garden of Eden foreshadows the Eucharist and the purpose of Eucharist. Partaking the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge, caused man to sin and brought damnation. Similarly partaking of the Eucharist, which is the fruit of the Tree of Life, which is Jesus Himself, brings us salvation and eternal life.

The sacrifice of Melchizedek : Melchizedek, the king of Salem is first mentioned in Genesis Chapter 14. Abraham after rescuing Lot, is visited by Melchizedek. In book of Genesis, Melchizedek is described as the Priest of the Most High (Genesis 14:18); in the Letter to Hebrews, He is described as without father, mother, or ancestry, without beginning of days or end of life, thus made to resemble the Son of God (Hebrews 7:3). Thus Melchizedek foreshadows Jesus Christ, who is the King of righteousness and Priest of the Most High, the Son of God. Further the actions of the priest Melchizedek, who offered bread and wine during his meeting with Abraham, prefigures the sacrament of the Eucharist.

The Passover Lamb: God commanded the Israelites to sacrifice and eat the unblemished Passover lamb. Thus by eating the Passover Lamb, the Israelites are saved and their firstborn are spared. Similarly, Jesus Christ, who knew no sin (Hebrews 4:15), unblemished and spotless (1 Peter 1:19), sacrifices His life on the cross and instructs us to eat His Body (Matthew 26:26). Partaking of Christ’s Body, the Eucharist, saves us from the clutches of sin.

Manna from Heaven: God showered Manna for the Israelites during their exodus from Egypt to the Promised Land. This food from heaven was provided to sustain them during the journey. In the New Testament, Christ declares Himself as the new Manna from heaven which helps us to sustain everlasting life.

I am the bread of life. Your forefathers ate the manna in the desert, yet they died. But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which a man may eat and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. (John 6:48-51)

Bread of Presence: The bread of Presence also known as the Show Bread was placed before the Lord’s presence in the Ark of the Covenant. “And you shall set the bread of Presence on the table before me always” (Exodus 25:30). This bread of Presence was prepared weekly on the Sabbath by the priests. The bread of Presence was considered holy, made sacred by the presence of God in the ark of covenant and could only be eaten by the priests. Hence the Bread of Presence foreshadows the Eucharist, in which Christ Jesus is truly present Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity!