Habakkuk opens with a question, “O LORD, how long shall I cry out for help and you will not hear?” However, I imagine many people were asking another question as we started a three part preaching series in the book: “Why Habakkuk?” This was certainly the opinion of one older man in my church, proving that grey hairs are not synonymous with wisdom or maturity. It is my hope that this short article will move Christians to thank God for the Old Testament.
Three Quarters of The Bible Is Old Testament
Take a look at your Bible side on and split it at the page between the Old and New Testaments. You will notice that the Old Testament accounts for more than three quarters of God’s Word.
Either God carelessly wastes words and trees or he wants us to read all of Scripture.
Either God carelessly wastes words and trees or he wants us to read all of Scripture.
Outdated & Irrelevant? Christ Didn’t Think So
Sadly, today many churches, and those in them, consider the Old Testament to be outdated or irrelevant. They think it is too confusing; of no real worth for living and following after our Lord Jesus Christ.
This has led to the call for the 21st century Church to unhitch from the Old Testament. Others are less bold, subtly expressing their low view of the Old Testament through a preference for the New.
Christ himself said the law, prophets, and writings (the Old Testament) testify to him.
Unfortunately these attitudes are not consistent with Christ himself. In Luke 24 he said that the law, prophets, and writings (the Old Testament) testify to him (Luke 24:26-27).
We Should Thank God For The Old Testament
Very briefly, looking at just two New Testament passages, and making two linked points, I hope to convince you of the God-given value possessed by the Old Testament, from Amos to Zechariah.
1. It Testifies To Jesus Christ
The apostle Peter writes this in his first epistle. “Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow” (1 Peter 1:10-11).
The Old Testament speaks of Christ, both in anticipation and even by explaining aspects of his life, death, and resurrection. When we read the Old Testament, one of the questions we should be asking is: ‘How is this fulfilled in Christ?’ or ‘How does this point to him?’
When we read the Old Testament, one of the questions we should be asking is: How is this fulfilled in Christ?
Peter goes on in 1 Peter 1:12. “It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel.” Therefore, in God’s wisdom the Old Testament, given to the nation of Israel, is also for his Church today. This brings us to our second point.
2. The Prophets Wrote For Christians Today
Listen to 2 Peter 1:19. “We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.”
We must not lose sight of the prophets as a light shining in the present to which we must look.
Here Peter names the prophetic message of the Old Testament something we should pay attention to. At best, most Christians are happy to consider the Old Testament reliable, because what was promised about the future has reached a partial culmination in Christ.
But that is to wrongly limit three quarters of the Bible to foretelling Christ; stripping it of any importance or relevance today, for the Christian Church.
This is a huge mistake, tantamount to confusing Nahum (an Old Testament minor prophet) with Nostradamus.
Enriching, Illuminating, Equipping Us Today
We must not lose sight of the prophets as a light shining in the present to which we must look – which is how Peter describes them. It is for this reason that Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 that the Old Testament is profitable or useful in teaching and equipping us how to live.
In conclusion, the entire Old Testament is inspired by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:20-21). That explains the anticipation and promise of Christ, but also impresses on us that it is for God’s people today.
Thank God for the Old Testament!
So let’s read it in order to have our faith in Christ enriched and learn how to live for Christ while we wait for his return. Thank God for the Old Testament!
