The Old Testament is an amazing production. The book has over thirty authors and each one was Spirit guided (2 Pet. 1:20-21). The fact that it is no longer binding is plainly taught in such passages as 2 Corinthians 3:6-16; Ephesians 2:11-18 and Colossians 2:13-14, but to say that that part of God’s word has outlived its usefulness would be altogether false. Augustine has been given credit for saying “the Old Testament is the New Testament concealed; the New Testament is the Old Testament revealed.” Think how deprived we would be without access to all the prophecies about Jesus Christ and his kingdom that are found in the Old Testament. Can you imagine studying Hebrews without some knowledge of the Old Testament? There is not a chapter in the book that does not rely heavily on types, shadows and illustrations from the Old Testament. Consider all the wonderful examples that enrich and strengthen our lives. The serpent on the pole, Naaman dipping seven times in the Jordan, Moses and his meekness, Job’s patience, Elijah and courage, and Joseph and divine providence to name a few. Then you go all the way back to Cain and Abel to find God beginning to stretch a scarlet line of blood that reaches to the cross (Heb. 9:15). And what a loss not to have the beauty of the psalms and the practical wisdom of Proverbs. Our lives are indeed richer because of our study of the Old Testament.

 

Aude McKee