In my last archive article I passed on three key points I learned that helped with my Bible reading goals. I got some great feedback and would like to expand more on point two. Point two was: Don’t spend a lot of time reading the Old Testament (OT) until you have a strong understanding of the New Testament (NT).
The Apostle Paul teaches in his letters that the OT, is “hidden” (1 Cor 2:7,Eph 3:9,Col 1:26) and incomplete (Heb 8). It is very easy to misunderstand God’s true merciful character in the OT, as it is “hidden”, especially if you aren’t aware that the first couple chapters span several hundred years. Let me explain.
In the beginning there was no law. God walked with his kids on Earth and had a very personal relationship with them (Gen 3). Adam and Eve sinned. God in his mercy goes to find them (Gen 3:9). Cain kills Able. God in his mercy protects him (Gen 4:15). Eight verses later (Gen 4:23) Lamech, Cain’s great, great, great, great, grandson records the second murder in the Bible. Next verse he says, “If Cain is avenged seven times, then Lamech seventy-seven times.” Eight verses span several hundred years which show us how corrupt the thinking of God’s children became. They knew that God was a merciful father and began to abuse his love. Several commentators believe that hundreds if not up two thousand years may have passed before the law came into existence on the Earth. “Love is patient…” (1 Cor 13:4 on)
So what is the point of the law you ask? 🙂
By biblical definition the law: makes sin come alive, it arouses sinful passions, gives power to sin, makes us feel guilty and condemned. It was created to destroy our pride and selfishness. (Rom 7:4-9, Rom 8:2-4, 1 Co 15:56, Gal 3:10,13,23-24, Ja 2:10, Col 2:14,) The purpose of the law was to break us down to the point of surrender and need of a savior which could restore us. This is like today’s military training. They break you down to build you back up. The OT law is meant to break us down and NT grace is meant to build us back up even stronger. All the stories of the OT were to show us that we can’t “work” our way into relationship with a perfect God. They are a setup to reveal our true need for a savior. (Luke 24:44)
Very few people, even Christians, really understand this. Many today still live under the law.
Do you remember the 80’s movie Footloose? Ren McCormick played by Kevin Bacon fights for the ability to have a dance during the school prom. His initial opposition was from Reverend Shaw Moore. Do you remember Rev Shaw’s daughter, Ariel, and how rebellious she was? This is what the law does. Rev Shaw was a “legalistic” preacher and parent which made sin come alive in Ariel. He thought he was teaching the right thing but was ignorant of how the law works and almost destroyed his daughter along with their relationship. Thankfully God used Ren McCormick to teach them grace and mercy. In the end, it was grace that saved all of the relationships in town. A whole new spirit emerged. This is God’s desire!
Grace, mercy, and the Holy Spirit can be found at work in the OT. However it is “hidden” therefore you have to be very attentive to find it or you need to be taught where to look. With this being said, I have asked Ken Klay to do a follow up article next week revealing God’s grace, mercy, and the Holy Spirit through the OT. Please stay tuned.
To learn more about how NT grace reveals mercy in the OT, I encourage you to dive into the NT books of Hebrews, Romans, and Galatians. They all speak directly about this. The fulfillment of truth is visibly found through the life of Christ in the NT. (Col 1:19, 2:9-10,Eph 4:3,) Through Christ we have been shown the fullness of God’s character and a better way to live! (Col 2:9, Jhn 14:6, Gal 4 & 5, Rom 8) We are no longer under the law, but under grace. Thank you Jesus!! Grace and Peace, Andy Anderson