"Throwback Thursday"
EPISODE 71
Revisit the Old Testament
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Every Thursday, folks flood social media with old photos from their childhood. It's Throwback Thursday! But Jesus and his apostles continually referenced the past in their teaching.
"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" (Rom. 15:4).
How do you view the Old Testament? Is it something you find useful and worth your consideration? Or do you think of it as old-fashioned, outdated, or unimportant in your walk with Christ? Though we're no longer under the regulations and requirements of Moses' Law (Col. 2:13-14), there's still great value in studying "whatever was written in former days!"
Points Us to Christ
"And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself" (Luke 24:27).
Like you can sometimes learn about a friend by looking at old photographs from their childhood, we can learn about our Savior from the early pictures of Christ in the Old Testament. So when Jesus needed to explain his identity to two baffled disciples after his death, he led them on a journey through those beautiful old books.
Personality of God
"Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." So we can confidently say, "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?"" (Heb. 13:5-6).
Old photos might showcase embarrassing hairdos, old flames, or even a lifestyle we left behind years ago. People change. But God never changes. We see the same mercy, holiness, and faithfulness in the stories and laws of Israel and the ancient world.
Throughout the history of Christianity, some have preferred to focus on the revelation of God in the New Testament. One influential second-century teacher named Marcion even denied that the God of the Old Testament was the true God. But Jesus saw the story of the ages — his story — in the Hebrew Scriptures. The same God who brings forgiveness through the cross brought judgment through the flood. Until we see the whole story of the Bible, we will misunderstand the Father, Son, and Spirit we serve.
Profitable for Our Lives
"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work" (2 Tim. 3:16-17).
Every word "breathed out by God" is profitable, offered by a loving God that we "may be complete." The genealogies of Genesis, the ceremonial laws of Leviticus, the violent stories of Judges — every word has a purpose. The Bible's first 66 books begin humanity's instruction in the principles that bless a life, now and into eternity. More than a throwback for old time's sake — we return to these words again and again, because in them, we live (Deut. 8:3).
