As Christians we are not under the Old Testament Covenant with Israel and all that goes with it.
Yet, the bulk of the Old Testament (at least Exodus – Malachi) is written in the context of that Covenant and is still profitable for us (2 Tim 3:16; 1 Cor 10:11).
Here is a list of reason why you, as a Christian, should study the Old Testament.
- To understand God’s character better (holy)
- To understand man’s default character better (rebellious)
- To understand what is needed for salvation (mercy)
- To understand what characterises a true believer’s life (love & obedience)
- To understand the truths and concepts of the NT better (Christ as ‘lamb’, sacrifice, wrath of God, substitution, practical love for neighbour)
- To understand the missing-in-the-Mosaic but necessary saving-ness of the New Covenant (doing what even the Mosaic could not do)
- To see real examples of what is only stated briefly in the NT
- Bringing principles to bear where the NT has no law. (OT ethics & morality: e.g. abortion)
- Make sure the principle is reflected in the OT text
- Make sure it is timeless (i.e. not bound to their or your culture), and relevant (applicable to theirs and yours)
- Make sure it fits with the rest of Biblical Theology
Fall in love with the God Who so graciously and completely revealed Himself to us!
For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
Romans 15:4
Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come.
1 Corinthians 10:11