Paul said, "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that through patience and through comfort of the scripture we might have hope" (Rom. 15:4). The Old Testament Scriptures were n o recorded for our authority under Jesus Christ, but they are written for our learning. If we who are serving God through Jesus Christ properly use the Old Testament we shall, receive a blessing.

What is the right use of the Old Testament for New Testament Christians? The answer to this question comes best by a study of what the New Testament says along this line. The New Testament tells us of three ways in which we may be profited by studying the Old Testament.

Fulfilled Prophecy

The first is obvious by a casual reader of the Bible, for in the Old Testament he reads many prophecies that find their fulfillment in the New. In 2 Pet. 1:19 we find, "We have the word of prophecy made more sure The RSV rendering is, "And we have the prophetic word made more sure. You will do well to pay attention to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. First of all you must understand this that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by the impulse of man, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God."

We are told that there are three hundred and thirty-three prophecies of the Old Testament concerning the coming of Christ. In Matthew, we especially notice the expression "This was done that it might be fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet saying…" Jesus rebuked the Jews because they searched the scriptures for prophecies of the Messiah, but couldn't perceive that he fulfilled them (Jno. 5:39-47).

Types and Shadows

A second use of the Old Testament for a New Testament Christian is for the study of types and shadows. The book of Hebrews is especially concerned with drawing the relationships of the shadows and types of the Old Testament with the realities and anti-types of the New. Heb. 8:4-5 says, "Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, seeing there are those who offer the gifts according to the law; who serve that which is a copy and a shadow of the heavenly things, even as Moses is warned of God when he is about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern that was showed thee in the mount."

The Old Testament abounds in types and shadows. In certain respects some Old Testament characters are types of New Testament characters. Hebrews 5 represents Melchisedec as a type of Christ. His priesthood was simultaneous with his kingship, and he had no forerunner nor follower in the priestly office. Elijah was a type of John the Baptist, as John is spoken of in the name of Elijah (Matt. 17:10-13).

There are also typical things, as well as persons. The raising up of the serpent in the wilderness (Num. 21:9) is typical of the raising up of Christ on the cross (Jno. 3:14). Lambs slain from the foundation of the world typified the "Lamb of God" who was slain for the sins of the world.

There were typical events that shadowed coming things. The delivery from Egyptian bondage contains many types. Bondage in Egypt is a type of bondage in sin; crossing the Red Sea is a type of baptism; wandering in the wilderness is a type of the church, where apostasy is possible; crossing the Jordan is a type of death, and entering Canaan is a type of entering Heaven, the Promised Land, at last.

Study of Examples

The third service we can gain from a study of the Old Testament is the lessons gained from their examples. In 1 Cor. 10:1-12 we find a wonderful case of Paul's using the Old Testament in this way. He uses the example of ancient Israel to show us what not to do, and to admonish us to profit by their mistakes. One of the best services examples can give is to show us the consequences of apostasy, and what it means to trifle with the Word of God.

The story of Saul, who was told to destroy all the Amalekites and their possessions, but who spared old king Agag and the best of the flocks, is an example teaching us that God means for us to do all that he says. No doubt Saul's intentions were worthy, as he wanted to worship God, but his worthy intentions did not harmonize with what God had said, and he was condemned and rejected (1 Sam. 15:22-23).

The story of Naaman the Syrian and his being healed of leprosy is a good example to teach us that God requires complete obedience regardless of how insignificant and senseless the command might appear. When Naaman was told to dip seven times in the river Jordan and his leprosy would be gone, he flew into a rage, much like some denominationalist of today when Acts 2:38 is quoted. Naaman also thought some substitute of his own choosing would do, but was finally convinced he should do what the prophet commanded. When he did so, he came forth cleansed and declared, "Behold now, I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel" (2 Kings 5:15).

Not only do Old Testament examples serve as warnings and admonitions, they also serve to give us hope, as our text states. The Old Testament scriptures show that patience and steadfastness in the service of God was rewarded. Abraham was a man of faith and was willing to do what God said regardless of personal sacrifices, and "his faith was reckoned for righteousness" (Rom. 4:9). For Abraham "in hope believed against hope, to the end that he might become a father of many nations, according to that which had been spoken, So shall thy seed be" (Rom. 4:18).

Moses is an example of meekness. When God called him, Moses recognized his weaknesses, but was willing to be led by God in spite of his weaknesses.

Job is a wonderful example of patience. Of him God could say, "There is none like him in the earth, a perfect and upright man. One that feareth God, and turneth away from evil" (Job. 1:8). Job's patience enabled him, after the loss of all that was near and dear to him, and even after he had been smitten with boils from 'crown-lock to bunion' and his 'friends' had added insult to injury by telling him his suffering was because of sin, to say, "Though he slay me, vet will I wait for him."

These examples give us courage in the face of opposition. With a sword in one hand and their tool in the other, the Jews under Nehemiah were busy rebuilding Jerusalem. Nehemiah refused to compromise with the forces of evil; he was no moral coward. Elijah was no coward as he stood on Mt. Carmel and debated with the prophets of Baal. He let the people know that Baalism was wrong by putting it to the test, and it failed.

Finally, the Old Testament contains examples of encouraging hope. God commanded the Jews to farm six years and let their land lie fallow on the seventh, and promised that they would have enough (Lev. 25:1-22). I wonder if many of us would have the faith to do that, and trust God through hope, for the fulfillment. We can't seem to earn enough in six days to get along, and to set aside the first day of the week for the service of God, but neglect the worship of God for worldly gain.

God can provide, and will keep his promises. You and I must live in such a way as to be able to sing, "I'm standing on the promises of God." The God who could guarantee that the Israelites would have plenty of food during the year, and that their ground lay fallow, and could keep their enemies from even desiring their land while they were up at the feasts (Ex. 34:24), can provide that eternal home for the soul which he has promised. Hope is desire and expectation, and we can both desire and expect to go there if we are faithful children of God.

Conclusion

While the Old Testament is not authority for God's people today, God's people can study it very profitably. Our faith is strengthened when we see the unity in the Bible as demonstrated by fulfilled prophecy. We can learn something of God's intentions for us, and how God prepared the way for the coming of Christ. And, we can learn from the examples of the Old Testament the respect God requires of us for His Word.

Truth Magazine VIII: 8, pp. 20-22 May 1964