Why Study the Old Testament?

The NewTestament (NT) speaks directly to those who will become and who already are followersof Christ in the church. Christ launched the church following his resurrectionto earth and return (ascension) to heaven and he continues to expand it today.This period spans approximately 2,000 years and counting.

The Old Testament (OT), however, speaks directly to members of the Israelite nation, beginning with Moses approximately 1,500 years before the crucifixion of Christ and the start of the church. It also speaks to other nations in that time long ago, as with Obadiah’s message to Edom and Isaiah’s prophecies to Moab, Ethiopia, Egypt, etc.

Is the OT irrelevant and obsolete? The answer to this question is a resounding ‘no.’

Since the NT speaks directly to believers today and since the OT speaks directly to Jewish people many years ago, is the OT now irrelevant and obsolete? The answer to this question is a resounding ‘no.’ But why?

Common-SenseReasons

To answer thisquestion, first consider two obvious and common-sense reasons.

The OT providesbackground material that is essential for understanding the NT.

This backgroundmaterial includes important historical events (like the fall of man and theexodus from Egypt), people (like Abraham and David), prophecies (esp. aboutChrist) and theological terms and concepts (like the Mosaic law and substitutionarysacrifice).

The NT frequentlyquotes from the OT.

According to G.K. Beale, the NT either quotes or alludes directly to the OT at least 278 times(94 from the Pentateuch, 99 from the Prophets, and 85 from the Writings). Onthis basis alone, you should become very familiar with the OT, studying notonly these direct quotations and allusions, but the context that underliesthem. (See The Right Doctrine from the Wrong Texts?: Essays on the Use ofthe Old Testament in the New [Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 1994], 14.)

New TestamentReasons

In addition to these common sense reasons, we should also recognize that the NT itself offers many reasons why we should study the OT and become very familiar with it. Rather than render the OT obsolete, the NT strongly emphasizes the importance and ongoing relevance of the OT for believers today.

2 Timothy 3:16-17

All Scriptureis given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof,for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may becomplete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

“All Scripture”refers directly to the OT and affirms that God himself revealed the words of theOT. This fact alone should compel us to study the OT to discover what God hasrevealed there. Even more, it demands that we do so.

• “It is useful for doctrine.” The OT is a source of sound theological teaching about God, life, and salvation.
• “It is useful for reproof.” The OT is a resource that enables us to refute the errors of false teaching and to expose personal failures in our lives due to sin.
• “It is useful for correction.” The OT equips us to restore our doctrine and practice back to a right position before God.
• “It is useful for training.” The OT serves as a vital resource for developing personal discipline and for discipling and mentoring others to follow God.

In summary,Paul emphasized that a thorough knowledge of the OT equips us (esp. pastors) toserve the church and the world in a more complete way. A deficient or incorrectunderstanding of the OT handicaps our ability to minister with maximumeffectiveness.

Romans 15:4

Whatever thingswere written before were written for our learning, that we through the patienceand comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.

Though God revealed the OT directly to Israelites centuries ago, he also intended for us to learn from the OT as well. In particular, he wanted to encourage greater patience and encouragement in our hearts. Discovering what the OT teaches will strengthen your resolve and increase your confidence in God. It will better prepare you to face the challenges of life today and reinvigorate you with the sure prospect of a far better future to come.

1 Corinthians10:11

All thesethings happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition,upon whom the ends of the ages have come.

“All these things” refers specifically to the experiences of the Israelites in the wilderness after God had rescued them from slavery in Egypt. Why did these things happen? Not for their personal benefit only, but also for our benefit today (1 Cor 10:6). The OT shares these events from God’s perspective so that we can learn not to commit the same errors that they committed in their relationship with God (cf. 1 Cor 10:1-13). For this reason alone, you should not be ignorant of the OT, especially the books of Exodus and Numbers (1 Cor 10:1).

Luke 24:27, 44

Beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.

He said tothem, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you,that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses andthe Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.”

Jesus referredhis followers back to the OT to verify the authenticity and necessity of hisearthly ministry. This verification included his suffering (Luke 24:26, 46),his resurrection (Luke 24:46), and the evangelism and missionary work thatwould take place afterwards through his followers (Luke 24:47). Jesus wants youto understand and comprehend how the OT teaches these things (Luke 24:45) andconsiders it foolish and slow-hearted if you don’t (Luke 24:25).

Matthew 5:17

Do not thinkthat I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy butto fulfill.

The OTunderscores the importance of the person and work of Jesus Christ. Without theOT, we would fail to understand what Jesus had come to accomplish (or fulfill).Without Jesus, the OT law would remain broken and OT prophecies would remainunfulfilled.

John 5:39

You search theScriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are theywhich testify of Me.

The OT providesa resounding witness that reveals the one person you need to believe on to havea restored and endless relationship with God. In fact, if you believe everythingthat Moses wrote (i.e., Genesis - Deuteronomy), then you will believe on Jesus aswell (John 5:46-47). If you fail to understand what Moses wrote or you rejectwhat he wrote, then you will fail to understand Jesus and will reject him aswell.

1 Peter 1:10-12

Of thissalvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied ofthe grace that would come to you, searching what, or what manner of time, theSpirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehandthe sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. To them it wasrevealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the thingswhich now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospelto you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to lookinto.

OT writers didnot understand everything that we know today about the saving ministry of JesusChrist and the way that God would bless us with his grace. However, many of thethings which they said had future significance related to the death andresurrection of Christ. Today, we have the privilege of looking back at OTrevelation to verify the authenticity of Jesus’ person and work in retrospect.

Romans 4:23

It was notwritten for his sake alone that it was imputed to him, but also for us. Itshall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from thedead…

This statementrefers back to an OT statement written by Moses which said, “He believed in theLORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness” (Gen 15:6). Why did God saythis to Abraham and why did he lead Moses to write it down? Because he wantedus to believe and follow the same God whom Abraham had followed by faith, justas Abraham had followed him.

Though Abrahamdid not know everything that we know today, he believed in the same God bytrusting that he would do what he had promised in giving him a son and blessinghim with innumerable descendants (Gen 15:2-5). Today, we must believe in thesame God and in the ultimate result of his promise to Abraham, which is theperson and work of Jesus Christ (Rom 4:24-25). God has always providedsalvation by grace alone through faith alone in redemptive revelation thatpointed to Christ.

Acts 17:2-3

Paul, as hiscustom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from theScriptures, explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and riseagain from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I preach to you is theChrist.”

The OT providesus with an invaluable resource for persuading people to believe the truth aboutJesus (Acts 17:4). It provides key information for explaining and demonstratingwhy Jesus had to die for our sins and resurrect from the dead. It also provideskey information for explaining and demonstrating why it was Jesus Christ, andnot someone else, who had to do this.

Consider forinstance how: (1) Creation (Gen 1-2) reveals God’s purpose for our lives, (2)the Fall (Gen 3) reveals our sinful nature and need for redemption, (3) the MosaicLaw (Exo 20) reveals our sinfulness in specific ways, and (4) the SufferingServant Song (Isa 53) reveals our need for a substitutionary savior.

2 Timothy 3:14-15

Continue in thethings which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you havelearned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, whichare able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

“HolyScriptures” refers specifically to the OT. As such, Paul upholds the value ofteaching our children from a young age to have confidence in the OT as reliableand authoritative revelation from God. He also affirms that teaching the OT tochildren prepares them to believe on Jesus Christ for salvation. Knowing this, familiesand churches should ensure that children and adults alike develop a personalfamiliarity with and understanding of the OT. We should not relegate OT studiesto scholars or adults alone.

1 Corinthians9:9-10

It is writtenin the law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out thegrain.” Is it oxen God is concerned about? Or does He say it altogether for oursakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written...

The OT teaches timeless principles, even through the Mosaic law. Though we do not follow the Mosaic law as legal obligation (since we are not Israelites living in a kingdom governed by the Mosaic law), we should still gain wisdom and discover principles for wise and godly living from these laws. For instance, notice how Paul claimed that God intended for an obscure OT law about caring for farm animals (Deut 25:4) to inform our own thinking today. In fact, Paul repeats this NT application twice regarding an important responsibility of a church (1 Cor 9:9-10; 1 Tim 5:18).

Conclusion

How well do youknow the OT? What have you studied in the OT and what about the OT do you stillwant to learn and understand? I have given you two common-sense reasons tostudy the OT. More importantly, I have given numerous, explicit NT reasons fordoing so. Knowing these things, you should not neglect to read and study the OTScriptures.

When you do, you will undoubtedly have some questions about what you read. When this happens, feel free to contact your pastor or another Bible teacher in your church. They will be glad to assist you!

For another helpful look at this question of why a NT Christian should study the OT, click here.