Why Study the Old Testament? part 6

The Old Testament was written FOR Christians

A common misconception among Christians is that, while the Old Testament is nice and has some interesting stories, ultimately it isn’t “Christian” and therefore not really applicable or beneficial.  Now, it is certainly true that the original audience of the OT was Israel.  We need to study the OT in its original context and attempt to understand what God said to the original audience.  However, we need to realize that while the Old Testament was not written originally TO Christians, it was ultimately written FOR Christians. 

Don’t believe me?  This is exactly how the New Testament writers understood the Old Testament.  Look at these three statements…

For whatever was written in the former days was written for OUR instruction, that through endurance and through encouragement of Scripture we might have hope. (Romans 15:4)

It was revealed to them (the OT prophets) that they were serving not themselves but YOU in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels longed to look. (1 Peter 1:12)

(Speaking of a quote from the OT Law of Moses) Does he not speak ENTIRELY FOR OUR SAKE?  It was written FOR OUR SAKE… (1 Corinthians 9:10)

According to the New Testament writers, the ultimate audience of the Old Testament writers was the church!  While this does not mean that the Old Testament didn’t have a meaning in the original context, it does mean that the ultimate significance and mean of the entire Old Testament can only be found through Jesus.  Jesus is the interpretive key to the Old Testament.

Keep this in mind as you read the pages of the Old Testament…the law of Moses, the psalms of David, the proverbs of Solomon, and the prophecies of Isaiah were written for US.  It wasn’t written TO us, but it certainly was written FOR us.