Originally posted on 12/5/23
Recently, one of our members asked if Christians should still read the Old Testament. I understand why some people might think it is outdated and not relevant to us. I would compare reading the Old Testament with reading a book from the beginning to the end. If we only read a book beginning with the last 50 pages, we would miss information crucial to understanding the entire story. Have you ever watched a movie, but you missed the first 30 minutes? Sometimes things are shown in the first few minutes that explain the rest of the plot as it unfolds. The same applies to reading the Bible.
There is a tremendous amount of rich information in the Old Testament. We often hear that the Old Testament no longer applies to Christians. Does it still apply to us? Most scholars agree that because of the blood of Christ, we are no longer bound by the law. I would agree that we are no longer under the old Mosiac and Davidic covenants. Do we need to read it at all then? I would answer with a resounding “YES”. I admit that there was probably a time when I might have said, “no”.
I recently finished a chronological reading of the Old Testament. I will be the first to admit that I haven’t always spent a lot of time in the Old Testament. However, I was determined to read the Bible chronologically in 2023. I set out on January 1 to read the Bible in a year. What I gained from reading the Old Testament chronologically has entirely changed the way I read Scripture. I feel like I finally understand the overarching theme of the Old Testament. I never understood how the pieces fit together. I even think I understand the New Testament better.
When I read the Bible from cover to cover, it didn’t always make sense. But by reading chronologically, one has an opportunity to really see how the events fit into the timeline of the Big Story of Scripture. I have a better understanding of the events and when they happened. When I read the books in order, I would get lost in the timeline of history. It was difficult to keep track of how the events unfolded.
There are other reasons to read the Old Testament. Reading the Old Testament gives us a greater understanding of the New Testament. Indeed, we are not bound by the law in the same way that the Isrealites were. When we read the Old Testament passages that discuss the law, we realize how incapable we are of meeting the demands of following the law. Our need for a Savior is enhanced by reading the Old Testament. After reading the Old Testament in chronological order, I have a greater understanding and appreciation for the sacrifice of Christ.
As I read the Old Testament, I saw the faithfulness of God through each story. It is helpful to see God’s faithfulness throughout history. We all go through rough times and wonder if we are all alone in our struggles. When we have that Scripture to reference, we can trust that God will be faithful to us as well.
It is also important to know the background of each book in the Old Testament. Who wrote it? To whom was it written? Where does it fit into the overall story of the Bible? What genre is the particular book? The answers to those questions make a difference in how we read each book.
Knowing your heritage is truly important. As we read the New Testament passages, it helps us understand the history of the Old Testament. Context is everything when reading Scripture. If we have a clear understanding of the events in the Old Testament, we can see how various prophecies have been fulfilled and the ones that have yet to be fulfilled. We even have a better understanding of the barriers that Jesus and his disciples faced.
My answer to the question of whether we should read the Old Testament remains a resounding, “yes”. Even reading just Exodus will solidify God’s faithfulness. Once you have a good understanding of the history of the Old Testament, it is easier to trust in God’s faithfulness. When things are not going well, I can draw on the knowledge that God has been faithful since the beginning of time. I can trust him to be faithful to me.
If you haven’t ever read the Old Testament, I encourage you to read it chronologically. It will change the way you view the rest of the Bible. Some books that will be easier to read than others. Stick with it and you will not be sorry.