Is the Old Testament too old?

John 5:39

Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

When Jesus made this statement, what was the available text? Well, you guessed it. It was the Old Testament Scriptures. Jesus said that if they searched the scriptures they would learn about him, and there are many verses in the Old Testament that point to Christ, the most prominent being Isaiah 53, which is what the Ethiopian Eunuch was reading when Philip joined him, to give him the meaning and understanding as recorded in Acts chapter 8.

This may be a sensitive issue for some, but one I think needs to be discussed. Many Christians believe that the Old Testament has expired as a result of receiving the New Testament, so no emphasis is placed on its study.

The sad reality is this, without the Old Testament, the New Testament would not be easily understood. Why is that? I will tell you but first, let us look at how the Old Testament is organized and see if we could appreciate its structure.

The Torah or Pentateuch

The first five books of the Old Testament are Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. It is considered to be the Law or referred to as the books of Moses. They contain the historical account of the beginning of humanity. They reveal to us why the world is the way it is today and it shows us what God’s plan is to reach lost humanity as a result of sin.

These books reveal the way he works, using men and women to reach men and women. Thus he chooses a man, Abraham, to bring forth a people that should teach the world about him and lead the world to righteousness. Through this people called, he reveals the plan of salvation. There is much more that could be said but we’ll leave it a that for now.

The Historical Books

The next 12 books contain the historical accounts of the people chosen by God to teach the nations about him. It reveals God’s dealings with his people and their response to him. The Bible in recording this history doesn’t hide the faults of men but shows us transparently, the good, the bad, and the ugly. This history exposes many secrets hidden in the heart of men and gives a glimpse of ourselves as we in many ways are no different in our behavior and attitude today.

From many of the experiences of these men and women of old, we can draw strength and hope, or even receive warning and instruction.

These books are Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1st & 2nd Samuel, 1st & 2nd Kings, 1st & 2nd Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther.

The Books of Wisdom

These books give us life lessons learned by the authors in their relationship with God and offer much-needed spiritual advice.

These books are Job, Psalm, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon.

The Major Prophets

These books are Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, and Daniel. They are called Major simply because these books are much longer and contain much more content. Their messages span a longer period of time than many of the other prophets.

The Minor Prophets

These books are Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. The term minor does not mean that their messages are less important than the major prophets. Their messages are much shorter and more specific.

Old Testament Influence

The Authors of the New Testament Books had as their Bible the Old Testament. When we study the New Testament we will find that the New Testament authors used a lot of Old Testament imagery. It is for this reason that we must study both together in order to get a proper understanding. Also, many New Testament authors, quote the Old Testament.

Romans 1:17

For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

The Apostle Paul is making a profound statement, that is undoubtedly very popular and known by many. However, he introduces the idea by first stating “It is written”. Well, where did he get this idea from?

Habakkuk 2:4

Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.

This is a classic example of how the Old and the New Testaments are intertwined. When we study Habakkuk we get a better understanding of this concept, of righteousness by faith, as Habakkuk was the prophet that brought forth the idea in a simple way.

Many of the prophecies contained in the Old Testament were fulfilled in the New, however, the details of the prophecies are not always given so an examination of them in the Old Testament helps us to understand their fulfilment.

One such example is taken from Luke 4:21, which is based on Isaiah 61:1,2. Another is Isaiah 53.

Jesus used the Old Testament Scriptures

 

In his defence against satan, Jesus quoted the Old Testament Scriptures. One such example is contained in Matthew chapter 4 and verse 4. “It is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God”.

At first glance, we can see that Jesus is stating an obvious truth, physical food is not greater than obedience to the Word of God or that physical food is not our only form of sustenance.

However, there is a deeper and more beautiful meaning to what Jesus said but we have to go back to the Old Testament, to the verse he is referring to.

Deuteronomy 8:3

And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live.

The truth stated by Moses is so powerful. The bread was all they knew so they felt that in their hunger they needed bread, but God provided for them by His Word, something they had never seen or even heard about, but that was better than bread.

Moses emphasizes that you can’t live by bread alone, but by the word of God which could provide what you need but is not aware of. God knows exactly what we need, we don’t, so, rely on him to provide.

This is what Jesus was saying to satan in the wilderness. Turning stone into bread to satisfy his hunger is not proof that he is the Son of God, but trusting his Father to provide for his needs in ways that he may not understand or know in his humanity is overwhelming evidence. This is the lesson that we must also embrace in our Christian journey. God can bring into existence whatever he deems necessary for our well-being. That is the proof that we are Sons and Daughters of God.

The Old Testament Scriptures are never too old. I love them very much and find strength and comfort in them as much as in the New Testament. The Old and New Testaments make up one complete Book, the Bible, and one is not complete without the other.

Enjoy studying God’s Word!