Understanding the Old Testament

Jump to Comments

The Old Testament is my weakest part of the Bible. I’m sure it is for you as well.

With Israel constantly breaking the covenant, the multiple and long winded generational reports, and Leviticus there is a lot going on and it’s a lot to try to understand. So, I can understand why some people skip to Matthew when starting to read the New Testament (but as my professor pointed out the other day in class … even the New Testament starts with those nasty genealogy reports that trace Jesus through David and Abraham). But when we do so we are missing the boat. We are missing God’s message and without the Old Testament will never have an understanding of what the New Testament offers in the message of Jesus Christ through the New Covenant.

The Old Testament is not just the start to some stories that lead to Christ, but it is our story. Our story of God’s redemption starts with the Old Testament and the story of Noah. It’s here where God saves humanity through the love and devotion of Noah. It continues through Abraham who receives the promise of being the father to a great nation. But, even here you can’t understand what that really means without understanding that Abraham comes from a patriarchal society where the father has great authority and responsibility, so for Abraham to be told by God that his descendants will become a great nation has a lot of power and significance for Abraham. It continues with Moses where God brings the nation of Israel out of slavery in Egypt and gives them land promise of the promise land. It continues with David who is promised that his sons will be a great dynasty. Eventually, it is through this line that Christ comes to become that great messiah.

(And yes, this is also essay prep for the test later.)

There are so many stories … our story really that all lead to redemption being full circle with New Jerusalem where Eden returns and life as God intended it is restored. How amazing will that day be!

So as we enter the Spring Break here in less than 8 hours, we can honestly say we know more about the Old Testament than ever before and can be thankful for it. And because of it we can say we understand Christ a little bit better as well.

0 Comments

Filed under Faith