Why Study the Old Testament?

11/05/17

1. The Old Testament is true history.

Shakespeare said that history is “a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.” The Christian view of history is quite a contrast; we believe God ordained it, organizes it, and moves it towards a meaningful, definite, and certain purpose.

However, many Christian entertain a negative view of Old Testament History, of its usefulness and even its accuracy. It is often regarded as “far away” and “distant” chronologically, geographically, socially, and theologically. “What can it do for me?” and “Why study it?” are common questions.

Let’s examine those objections for a moment.

First, I would like to examine the big question. Is Genesis 1 and 2 true history? Did God create everything and if he did, did he do in the way described in the first two chapters in the Bible? Turn to Genesis 1.

We see in the first verse that God created time (In the beginning) and space (the heavens) and matter/energy (and the earth). Everything that is created consists of these three things. Exodus 20:11

1. We learn of the history of the Israelites.
   1. The history of the Israelites is true history, critics try to manipulate dating in order to show that the Bible is wrong, i.e. dating of the Exodus, the reign of David, authorship of Isaiah and Daniel, among others.
2. We learn why the OT authors included certain events and not others.
   1. OT history is selective history.
   2. OT history is not all inclusive, we don’t know everything that went on in David’s life, or Abraham’s, or anyone else’s for that matter.
3. The history it records is both purposeful and relevant because it is redemptive.
   1. OT history is purposeful because it answers the “why” question. Most history books answer the what, when, where, and how questions, in contrast, biblical history has a clear purpose: it is a progressive revelation of the mind and heart of God for the benefit of needy sinners. God is the subject and the hero of the Bible. Therefore, when we read an OT narrative, we ask three questions:
      1. What does this story reveal about God?
      2. How is this intended to help needy sinners?
      3. What role does this story play in the larger and longer biblical story?
   2. This last question will help prevent us reading the chapters as disconnected dots and unrelated events.

• OT history is relevant because a right understanding of Old Testament history enables us to understand the original message to the original audience at the original time and place; and having done this, the bridge to the present message is far easier and safer to construct.

1. OT history is Redemptive history. God actively directs human history for the purpose of redeeming sinners to himself. The Holy Spirit inspired the writers of the OT to record what would graciously reveal that redemptive purpose, even the redeemer himself (Luke 24:27). The biblical history, then, is not just facts to teach us theology. These historical facts serve to bring in God’s elect. What greater motive do we need to study it than that these Scriptures are able to make us wise unto salvation (2 Tim. 3:15).

“In the beginning God created the Heavens and the Earth”

Genesis 1:1

Time

Space

Matter/Energy

Creator must be outside of time – timeless – Infinite/eternal

Creator must be outside of space/not bound by it – omnipresent, etc.

Creator must transcend matter – Incorporeal/Spirit

In order to be the Creator, God cannot be bound by the box – something cannot create itself.