THE PLACE OF THE OLD TESTAMENT
"How should we read the Old Testament?" This was a question a certain Bible College lecturer asked which he actually answered himself with: “Ask Jesus!”
Here are a few samples of what Jesus says:
1. He asserted that the Old Testament prophecies and types predict and foreshadow Him:
"’ ... all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me’ ... He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures,” Luke 24’44-45.
"The Scriptures ... are they which testify (bear witness) of Me,” John 5’39.
“As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up,” John 3'14.
That means He is the one who Jews, and Gentiles, are to take notice of. In short, all Believers are to relate to the OT in the same way as He did:
2. He confirmed that the Old Testament people were real persons:
Like Abel and Zechariah: "from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah who perished between the altar and the temple,“ Luke 11’51.
And Abraham: “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM,” (John 8’56-58).
3. He also confirmed that Genesis chapters 1-11 are historical:
" ... from the beginning of the creation, God ‘made them male and female,” Mark 10'6.
"Remember Lot’s wife”, Luke 17’32.
"For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark," Matthew 24’38.
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Jesus shows that the Old Testament is what straightforward reading of it conveys it to be: literal, historical, prophetical, typological, poetical. And that the people are real persons living real lives.
All these things show that the Old Testament is to be included in the thinking of Believers. And especially to anyone who wishes to have a leading ministry, the Holy Spirit says:
"Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth," 2 Timothy 2'15.
And in doing that remember to obey the Father and hear Jesus.