Why Study The Old Testament
The Old Testament is the New Testament concealed; the New Testament is the Old Testament revealed.
2Tim 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 perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Rom 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
The Holy Spirit considered Old Testament worthy to quoted in New Testament scripture many times.
An example of how the Old Testament often fills in gaps of information;
Eph 4:10 The all things Christ, as High priest, filled are seen in Ex 28:36-38 with Leviticus Chapter 10
Example of Learning Form The Old Testament: Deuteronomy 4:1-40 The command Moses commanded
V1: Hearken unto the words; V:2 Preserve the words as delivered, V5 They were to live them in the land of promise.
Vs 6-8: Keep them and do for in them is wisdom and understanding that the Gentile nations would be in awe of and the nations would testify saying
· Israel is a great nation of wise and understanding people
· There is no other nation so great that their God is so nigh unto them [their gods were never close to them]
· There is no other nation that has statutes and judgments as righteous as the law of Israel.
· Would the Gentile nations have said, "I wish we had a God like them. Let's go to Israel and inquire about HIM!'
Ř Israel failed in this responsibility in the past.
Ř Note the future in those days: Zec 8:23, Isa 2:3
· Isaiah 43:9-13 What Israel was to declare to the nations.
V9a Take heed to thyself and keep thy soul diligently; command to each individual. Each individual was not to forget all that they saw so the statutes and judgments would never depart from their hearts.
V9b But instead of letting them depart from thy heart teach them to your children and their children, Deu 6:7
· Could teaching the children be a means of not forgetting?
· You must have the knowledge before the knowledge can be passed on.
· Sharing with others helps us remember what we know.
The LORD told Judah in Isa 43:18 “Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.” The reason for Isa 43:14
Isa 46:8-10 Remember this, and shew yourselves men: bring it again to mind, O ye transgressors. 9 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, 10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:
· The things of old declare who the LORD is: He is omnipotent; He is omniscient.
· Judah had forgotten who the LORD was. The knowledge and wisdom had departed from them because they allowed righteous statutes and judgments of the LORD's law depart from their hearts.
Look who suffered because the fathers forgot:
· Jer 7:18 The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead their dough, to make cakes to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto other gods, that they may provoke me to anger.
· Mic 2:9 The women of my people have ye cast out from their pleasant houses; from their children have ye taken away my glory for ever.
Why do we study the Old Testament along with the New?
· 1Cor 10:6 ¶ Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. [They: Israel]
· 1Cor 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
· If we fall {not lose our salvation but live as if we are not saved} the children will suffer and the glory of the Lord will be hid from them.
Ps 77:11-12 I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old. 12 I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.
Ps 119:152 ¶ Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever.
Isa 25:1 ¶ O LORD, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.