Why Study The Old Testament?

INTRODUCTION to my book “The Sacrificial System”

Why Should We Study

The Old Testament?

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One might ask, “Why should a Christian study a series of lessons from the Old Testament?” Don’t we live this side of the cross? Don’t we live under the New Testament of our Lord and Savior who died and with that death established his “Last Will and Testament? The obvious answer to these questions to a student of the word of God is “YES.” We are now living live this side of the cross of Jesus. We live under the “Last Will and Testament” the “New Testament” of our Lord. This is the law that will judge all who have lived after the death of our Lord. Again then if this is correct, why would we study at length a series of lessons from the “OLD LAW?”

For the answer let us turn to God’s word which shall give us the reason for such an endeavor. Turn with me and read from the book of Romans ( Romans 15:4) where Paul writes: “ For whatsoever were written were written aforetime were written for our learning, that through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope” Turn with me now to the book of Galatians (Galatians 3:24-25 ) where we read these words: “Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come we are no longer under a schoolmaster.” [ please note that throughout our study we will be quoting from the King James Edition of the Bible ]

From the passages we must conclude that what was written “aforetime” that is to say that which was written prior to the writing of the book of Romans ( in particular the reference is clearly to the Old Law ) were written and preserved for a purpose which God had. That purpose was that God’s children might through the reading of them have learning and knowledge and through study of them might learn patience and understanding. The text also says that through these scriptures we might have comfort in their reading and might be made more aware of the hope God has planned for us in eternity.

Further we learn from the second scripture from Galatians that the Old Law the Old Testament was to serve as a schoolmaster to bring us to the realization of Christ. The Greek word here is paidagosos (paidagosos) which means a guide, a guardian of children. What Paul is saying is that the Old Testament was to serve a purpose, that preparing the learner for the coming Messiah ( Christ ). It was to establish the need of a Savior as the Law was incapable of bringing men to perfection ( a right standing with God ). Our Old Testament was to bring man to the realization of their own inadequacies and a need for one who would take their place. It was to bring man to the startling fact that in order to please God it was going to require “Faith” and not simply works as the Old Law practiced.

To this end we too must follow their example and study with earnest desires the Old Testament with these same thoughts in mind: How do these scriptures cause me to learn more of God and His will for me?; How do these scriptures bring me the true knowledge of patience and hope in Christ?; How do they bring me to greater faith in the Lord?

For these reasons alone we ought to desire to learn all we can from those words of God recorded and preserved for our benefit. Yes we live under a new and better law, but to neglect the rich studies of the Old Testament is to miss so much of what God’s overall plan for man is.

Why Study The

Tabernacle With

It’s Sacrifices?

For an answer to this question we again would as for God’s guidance from His Holy Word. Turn with me to the book of Hebrews ( Hebrews 8:1-2 ) for a look at what God has to say through His inspired writer. “Now of things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such a high priest, who is set on the right of the throne of the Majesty in the. heavens; A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.”

Once again let us turn to the book of Hebrews ( Hebrews 10:1 ) where we read the following: “For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers hereunto perfect.”

From these two passages we would like to draw the following conclusions. When you see a shadow being cast you are made aware that there is something following that is casting that shadow. The shadow is not reality and at very best doesn’t but give a faint picture of what is reality. But the shadow does reveal something about the reality. These scriptures make it clear that the Old Law with its sacrificial system was but a shadow of the true the reality. The true what? The reality of what? The scriptures stated above clearly define our answers. The Old Testament tabernacle was the shadow. What then was the reality, that which was casting the shadow? The text says it is “ a true sanctuary which the Lord pitched, not man.” That is to say that this is in contrast to and earthly, temporary structure, the tabernacle to the true tabernacle of the Lord. It was to show the temporary nature of man’s life here upon the earth. It was a shadow of the reality in Christ. The word translated tabernacle literally means a tent, a temporary dwelling place, an abode. The question then arises; “Where then is the true tabernacle of God, that eternal abode, that place where God and Christ abide now in this life and in the final abode of the soul?” “What was casting a shadow that we read about in the books of Leviticus and in Numbers?” We contend and hope to prove through our study that the “TRUE TABERNACLE OF GOD” is now “THE LORD’S CHURCH” over which He now serves a “High Priest” over those of us who are His “Kingdom of Priests” (Revelation 1:5-6, 9 ) The Lord now has put an end to all animal sacrifices by offering Himself once for all for a complete sacrifice. ( Hebrews 10:12 )

For a further scriptural answer we turn to again the book of Hebrews (Hebrews 9:23 ). Here the writer says; “It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.” What then of the Old Testament things that were shadows of the true? Let us suggest the following for your consideration.

THE BOOK OF LAW ( THE SHADOW )

THE NEW COVENANT ( THE REALITY)

THE JEWISH PEOPLE ( THE SHADOW )

THE NEW TESTAMENT CHRISTIANS ( THE REALITY)

THE TABERNACLE ( THE SHADOW )

THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH ( THE REALITY)

THE VESSELS OF WORSHIP (THE SHADOW )

THE NEW TESTAMENT WORSHIP (THE REALITY)

THE HIGH PRIEST ( THE SHADOW )

OUR HIGH PRIEST JESUS THE CHRIST (THE REALITY)

THE ROYAL PRIESTHOOD (THE SHADOW )

THE KINGDOM OF PRIESTS ( THE REALITY)

THE YEARLY SACRIFICES ( THE SHADOW )

THE ONE TRUE SACRIFICE OF CHRIST (THE REALITY)

From these scriptures and our in-depth study we hope to see an even truer picture of Christ, His church, and God’s plan for man. Truly we can learn much from a study of this Old Testament Law with its sacrificial system. It is through these scriptures ( Leviticus and Numbers ) that we can see the place of our Lord’s dwelling now and in the redeemed church of heaven where we will serve God face to face in our own reality for all of eternity.

 May God richly bless each and every one of you who have given of your time to read and study from these few notes compiled for our mutual learning and growth in the true knowledge of Christ.

Throughout our study ask yourself this question: If this is the shadow under the Old Law what is the reality under the New Law which was casting the shadow?

This is but the introduction to the book I have written and taught from. The complete book can be yours to download. If you would be interested in a copy please leave me a comment and make sure to include your e-mail address. I will respond and attach a complete copy of the book in a PDF format that you can read with any Adobe Reader or other program that allows you to read PDF files. The file is rather large as the book is 169 pages complete with text, illustrations, charts and diagrams all which are suitable to teach from or share with others. Your e-mail address will not be shared with anyone. The download will be free of charge. I would ask though, if you enjoy it share it with others and consider making a small donation so I can continue to develop useful Christian literature in the future. May God bless you as you study from this book. My e-mail is heeaton@yahoo.com if you would rather make your request there.