04. The Old Testament
Key Verses / Passage:
For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words? John 5:46-47
Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfil them. Matthew 5:17
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While Jesus was teaching in Jerusalem, the priests and legalists watched him closely to accuse him of wrongdoing at every turn. In John 5:46-47 a discussion leads to a claim by Jesus that Moses, the author of the most sacred books (Old Testament), wrote about him (Jesus) in those sacred books. Wow! An astonishing claim! A serious claim! Unless it is true…
The OT was written by about 30 authors with vastly different levels of education and backgrounds including shepherds, kings, historians and priests. It took approximately 1000 years to write, with thousands of ancient OT manuscripts in existence, across multiple continents.
The authors were inspired by God, who intended it to:
• Reveal sin - our own disobedience against God.
• Foreshadow the Messiah Jesus (the promised, super-one who would save them).
• Prepare people to anticipate for the arrival of the Messiah.
The 39 books are divided into 3 parts. The first 5 books are called the Torah or “Law” describing creation, then some history and the selection of one man who would create a group of people to represent God on earth to all the other nations.
Secondly, God continued to speak to the chosen people through normal people who were called “Prophets”. These individuals were in direct contact with God and instructed to speak or write on God’s behalf. In the Bible they speak God’s words to rebuke, commend, command, teach or tell the future.
The 3rd section of the OT are the books of wisdom, poetry and songs. The Jews call these the “Writings”.
Jesus is not specifically named in the OT, but he is presented, foreshadowed, and prophesied in every book in the OT through symbols and specific predictions.
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Reflection / Questions:
• Does this description of the Old Testament change the way you would read this collection of books?
• Reflect (meditate) on the word of God by listening to the words of Psalm 1, which opens with “Blessed is the man (godly person) who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, but... His delight, both day and night is in the law of God almighty.”
• The OT is like the biggest treasure adventure story with clues to follow, which are about Jesus and His love for us. Think about that... God gave us clues to find Him when we are ready to come to Him.
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Prayer:
Oh Jesus, how I long to hear and understand your words for me. Thank you that it’s all about you. Please help me see you in all the Old Testament.