THE OLD TESTAMENT IS FOR OUR INSTRUCTION AND HOPE
The apostle Paul declared that the Old Testament was written for our instruction and hope. Although as Christians we live under the New Covenant of grace and are not under the authority of the Old Covenant law, we are still encouraged to learn and be encouraged by it. For all Scripture is of spiritual benefit.
New believers who begin reading the Old Testament for the first time are often disturbed by its graphic portrayal of human sin and God’s holiness and wrath towards sin. But it’s important to recognize the two streams contained in the Old Covenant, one for our instruction and one to encourage hope.
The stream for our instruction flows tortuous and muddy as through a valley, filled with real stories of human sin, violence and judgment. Seeing its filthy flow, we are overwhelmed and often disgusted. We wonder why a loving God would allow for such. Why would this stream of stories even be in the Bible?
The second stream rushes down from the mountain, cool and clean, it sparkles in the sun as it gushes down rocky heights with revelations of God’s righteousness, forgiveness and love. Observing this awesome torrent and hearing its mighty roar, we are filled with longing and hope. We have a deep desire to dive into its crystal clear depths, yet one inward glance at our fragile fallen selves reminds us that we would be destroyed beneath its crashing flow.
Yet as we follow the two streams passing from the Old Testament to the New, we see them converge. The two streams of Scripture crash together at the cross of Christ. We finally understand. Seen through the lens of the cross it all makes sense. Our sin and God’s righteousness collide in Christ. He took our sin, separation and death, that we might have His righteousness, sonship and life.
The two streams were included in the Scriptures to teach us, that we might have hope and encouragement in Christ. For the Old finds its fulfillment in Christ. We read and understand the Old through the lens of the New, through Christ Jesus!
PRAYER: Dear Father, as we study Your Word teach us by Your Spirit to apply it rightly to ourselves. We give thanks for Your Word. May it strengthen our endurance and encourage our souls. In Jesus’ name, amen.