I’ve heard people say, “I don’t see the value in studying the Old Testament. I don’t understand it so therefore, I stay in the New Testament.” Others believe that the Old Testament has no significance for New Testament believers. I disagree. In fact, the Old Testament is absolutely VITAL for 21st century believers. Yes, we live in different times and under a different covenant. Old Testament saints lived under the law… a law that enforced rules and regulations. It was legalistic. New Testament believers live under grace. But our key verse, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” speaks of a fundamental message that we cannot understand our Lord unless we examine Him in the Old Testament. In fact, the Old Testament reveals God while the New Testament primarily teaches about God (Jesus Christ).
We ask… why should I devote myself to Jesus, follow Him, run the race with perseverance, live wholeheartedly for Him, and give up my will, desires, and ambitions for His will, desires, and ambitions? Obviously, the most pronounced reason is that Jesus gave His life for ours. But I think it can also be tied to who God is… a God that has revealed Himself to us throughout Scripture, especially in the Old Testament. There are many things about God that are revealed in the Old Testament, but here are four…
God is LOVE! One of the most endearing features about God in the OT is that He displays a love for His people that is unmeasured. God never abandoned His people even when they abandoned Him. We read in Jeremiah 31:3: “I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself.” God promised to love His people and He shows a GREAT love over and over again. God’s love has NEVER changed.
God is FAITHFUL! This is probably the most powerful attribute of God. God’s plan of redemption is laid out in the first chapters of Genesis and God continues to move forward to accomplish His plans and purposes. Fulfilled prophecy is one sure sign that God will do everything He said He would do… therefore, we can trust in His Word. We can know for certain that His plans for my life will be fulfilled and that we will one day be with Him forever. God’s faithfulness has never changed.
God is JUST! This one might be the reason why people don’t like the Old Testament. The people of God suffered when they disobeyed God. Because God judges sin. Here’s the thing… we suffer too when we disobey His mandates. Why? Because there are consequences to sin. He may not strike us down, but our sin may bring about loss, brokenness, and turmoil. No wonder Jesus said to obey His commandments. God’s justice has never changed.
God is HOLY! I think that we often forget that our God is holy and righteous. He is perfect. One of the things that set the Israelites apart from other nations was the holiness of their God and the righteous behavior He demanded of His people. God wanted them to live a life unstained by sin and depravity. We are to live the same way. Peter quotes the Old Testament when he says in 1 Peter 1:16: “You must be holy because I am holy.” God’s holiness have never changed.
So, why should we devote ourselves to Jesus? Because He loves us with an everlasting love, He is faithful to His Word, He is just, and He is holy. Let me encourage you to do your own research through Scripture to learn more about your God.