The Value of Studying the OT

On Tuesday night, I enjoyed the privilege of speaking at the APEX young adult service at Allison Park Church. My incredible bro Dave, the young adult pastor, invited me to conclude their series on studying the Bible with a message about the Old Testament.

The OT can be tough. I think there are 2 main reasons why we find the OT difficult. 1) It’s really long and there are very few pictures (unless you refer to one of those amazing illustrated kid’s Bibles), and 2) the immense cultural gap. It can be difficult to see how sacrifices, ceremonies, blood, guts, floods, etc. from thousands of years ago can mean anything to us today.

Its important to realize however that as Christians, the OT is an indispensible part of a vibrant Christian life. In fact, we can’t understand the depth of the New Testament without a basic understanding of the Old. Conversely we can’t understand the correct interpretation of the OT without the NT. We need both.

I think most Christians agree in theory with Paul in 2 Tim. 3:16 that “All Scripture [OT included] is breathed out by God.” I think we have a bit of a harder time believing that it is “profitable” as Paul says. In my talk I shared from the NT 3 ways the OT is spiritually profitable for us. These are:

1. The OT leads us to Jesus- Luke 24:27; 44-45.

It’s easy to think that just the NT is about Jesus, but Jesus himself said that Moses and the Prophets foretold of him. All the OT Scriptures point to Christ and find their ultimate fulfillment in him. Furthermore, they cannot be fully or rightly understood apart from Jesus. The OT enriches our understanding of Jesus, the nature of his sacrifice, and the power of our salvation in him.

2. The OT instructs us in righteous living- 1 Cor. 10:6-12

Paul said that the experiences and events of the OT were, “written down for our instruction on whom the ends of the ages have come.” This means that we are to learn from the experiences of God’s people throughought history so that we will not be doomed to repeat their mistakes.

3. The OT challenges us to persevere in faith- Heb. 11-12:1-2

In a messed up world it is easy to get discouraged. When we read the OT stories of faith we are encourged because we realize that we are not the first to live by faith, or fail miserably, or experience persecution. We can draw strength by knowing that we are surrounded by great men and women of faith who have gone before us and encourage us to persevere by their example.