Why Study the Old Testament?
The New Testament (NT) speaks directly to those who will become and who already are followers of Christ in the church. Christ launched the church following his resurrection to 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-Sense Reasons
To answer this question, first consider two obvious and common-sense reasons.
The OT provides background material that is essential for understanding the NT.
This background material includes important historical events (like the fall of man and the exodus from Egypt), people (like Abraham and David), prophecies (esp. about Christ) and theological terms and concepts (like the Mosaic Law and substitutionary sacrifice).
The NT frequently quotes 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). On this basis alone, you should become very familiar with the OT, studying not only these direct quotations and allusions, but also the context that underlies them. (See The Right Doctrine from the Wrong Texts?: Essays on the Use of the Old Testament in the New [Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 1994], 14.)
New Testament Reasons
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 Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
“All Scripture” refers directly to the OT and affirms that God himself revealed the words of the OT. This fact alone should compel us to study the OT to discover what God has revealed 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) to serve the church and the world in a more complete way. A deficient or incorrect understanding of the OT handicaps our ability to minister with maximum effectiveness.
Romans 15:4
Whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and 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 Corinthians 10:11
All these things 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? Well, they happened, not only for the personal benefit of Israelites, 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 to them, “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 and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.”
Jesus referred his followers back to the OT to verify the authenticity and necessity of his earthly ministry. This verification included his suffering (Luke 24:26, 46), his resurrection (Luke 24:46), and the evangelism and missionary work that would take place afterwards through his followers (Luke 24:47). Jesus wants you to understand and comprehend how the OT teaches these things (Luke 24:45) and considers it foolish and slow-hearted if you don’t (Luke 24:25).
Matthew 5:17
Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.
The OT underscores the importance of the person and work of Jesus Christ. Without the OT, 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 remain unfulfilled.
John 5:39
You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.
The OT provides a resounding witness that reveals the one person you need to believe on to have a restored and endless relationship with God. In fact, if you believe everything that Moses wrote (i.e., Genesis – Deuteronomy), then you will believe on Jesus as well (John 5:46-47). If you fail to understand what Moses wrote or you reject what he wrote, then you will fail to understand Jesus and will reject him as well.
1 Peter 1:10-12
Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into.
OT writers did not understand everything that we know today about the saving ministry of Jesus Christ and the way that God would bless us with his grace. However, they said many things that had future significance related to the death and resurrection of Christ. Today, we have the privilege of looking back at OT revelation to verify the authenticity of Jesus’ person and work in retrospect.
Romans 4:23
It was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him, but also for us. It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead…
This statement refers back to an OT statement written by Moses that said, “He believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness” (Gen 15:6). Why did God say this to Abraham and why did he lead Moses to write it down? Because he wanted us to believe and follow the same God whom Abraham had followed by faith, just as Abraham had followed him.
Though Abraham did not know everything that we know today, he believed in the same God by trusting that he would do what he had promised in giving him a son and blessing him with innumerable descendants (Gen 15:2-5). Today, we must believe in the same God and in the ultimate result of his promise to Abraham, which is the person and work of Jesus Christ (Rom 4:24-25). God has always provided salvation by grace alone through faith alone in redemptive revelation that pointed to Christ.
Acts 17:2-3
Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ.”
The OT provides us with an invaluable resource for persuading people to believe the truth about Jesus (Acts 17:4). It provides key information for explaining and demonstrating why Jesus had to die for our sins and resurrect from the dead. It also provides key information for explaining and demonstrating why it was Jesus Christ, and not someone else, who had to do this.
Consider for instance 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 Mosaic Law (Exo 20) reveals our sinfulness in specific ways, and (4) the Suffering Servant Song (Isa 53) reveals our need for a substitutionary savior.
2 Timothy 3:14-15
Continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
“Holy Scriptures” refers specifically to the OT. As such, Paul upholds the value of teaching our children from a young age to have confidence in the OT as reliable and authoritative revelation from God. He also affirms that teaching the OT to children prepares them to believe on Jesus Christ for salvation. Knowing this, families and churches should ensure that children and adults alike develop a personal familiarity with and understanding of the OT. We should not relegate OT studies to scholars or adults alone.
1 Corinthians 9:9-10
It is written in the law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain.” Is it oxen God is concerned about? Or does He say it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written…
The OT teaches timeless principles, even with 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 you know the OT? What have you studied in the OT and what about the OT do you still want to learn and understand? I have given you two common-sense reasons to study the OT. More importantly, I have given numerous, explicit NT reasons for doing so. Knowing these things, you should not neglect to read and study the OT Scriptures.
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!
Related: NT/OT: A NT Christian Studying the OT Layton Talbert on a similar theme.
Thomas Overmiller serves as pastor for Faith Baptist Church in Corona, NY and blogs at Shepherd Thoughts. This article first appeared at Shepherd Thoughts, used here with permission.