Reading the Old Testament
Reading the Old Testament
Sometimes reading the Old Testament can make a person nervous. There are a few things that are important to keep in mind when reading scripture in general, and the Old Testament in particular.
What we call the Old Testament is the Hebrew Scriptures. These were for the Jews and written before the covenant of grace was in place. This does not mean that there is nothing we can take from these passages today. It just means that what we read in the Old Testament has a different purpose for us than it did for the Hebrews.
The first five books of the Bible comprise the Law. The Law was the terms of the covenant that God made with the Hebrews at Mount Sinai. It is also called the Law of Moses because Moses received it from God. Part of it was written on stone tablets. In all, the Law contained 613 commands and ordinances. We are told in James 2:10 that the Law is a package deal--if we violate one law, we are guilty of breaking it all.
Jesus elevated the Law in His sermon on the mount, found in chapters 5-7 of Matthew. If you read much of that, you will quickly see that there is no way anyone can possibly keep the Law. That is the point of the Law. (see Romans 3:9)
We are no longer under that covenant--in truth, unless we are ethnic Jews, we never were included in it. Ephesians 2:12–13 (AV) tells us this: "12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: 13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ."
A new covenant, or testament, was instituted by Jesus Christ. (see Luke 22:20, 1 Corinthians 11:25) When Jesus died on the cross, this new covenant took effect. It covered both Hebrews and Gentiles. The new covenant is in place now, and it will never be changed.
Scary passages such as Deuteronomy 28:15-68 show the terrible consequences for the Hebrews should they fail to uphold their end of the old covenant--the Law. The consequences would be the same for us if it were not for Jesus. Romans 6:23 (AV) tells us that "the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." This is the incredibly good news of Jesus Christ. He has done what we could never do. Romans 8:2–4 (AV) declares it this way, "2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
The Old Testament is good for seeing the way Father guided history to ensure the survival of the lineage that would produce Jesus Christ. It is good for seeing shadows of the salvation to come through Jesus. It is good for seeing "acted sermons" that demonstrate the plan of God through the lives of the people of old. It is good for seeing prophesies and promises that have been fulfilled in Jesus. In all these ways, our faith in Christ can be strengthened.
So, new covenant saint, such scary passages of scripture do not apply to you. You are simply reading someone else's mail. Do not fear, my friend. You are safely sealed in Christ. (see Ephesians 1:13-14)
