What the Bible Says About the Old Testament

An important aspect of Bible study is to learn what the Bible says about itself. In our present case, we are looking at what the Bible says specifically about the Old Testament. This may be from the perspective and writings of Old Testament figures who wrote about what they had, God's law. This may also be from New Testament personages who, looking back, see the whole of the Old Testament and make comment on it.

Consider the Lord's words to Joshua:
"This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success." (Josh 1:8)

Or this description of Ezra:
"For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgements." (Ezra 7:10)

The author of the first Psalm describes the way of the righteous man in this manner:
"But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in His law doth he meditate day and night." (Ps 1:2)

Psalm 119 is full of descriptions of God's word:
- "according to Thy word"
- "all Thy commandments are faithful"
- "for with them (Thy precepts) Thou hast quickened me"
- "how sweet are Thy words"
- "but Thy law I do love"
- "through Thy precepts I get understanding"
- "teach me Thy statutes"
- "Thy word is very pure"
- "all Thy commandments are truth"
- "all Thy commandments are righteousness"
Let us not forget that the author is speaking of God's law. At this point in time, the Old Testament wasn't canonized. We can easily agree with the author when we consider the entire Bible, but can we honestly say we agree with him in his boundless enthusiasm for the law? It is an interesting and searching question!

"...but he that keepeth the law, happy is he." (Prov 29:18)

Over and again throughout the Old Testament, the results of obedience or disobedience are clearly exemplified. Let us now consider some of what is said by characters from the New Testament. They provide a unique look, for, like us, they are looking back at a "canonized" Old Testament, yet unlike us, are living in another part of the Bible, that of the New Testament.

Jesus says:
"Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill." (Matt 5:17)
"The law and the prophets were until John..." (Luke 16:16)
"...all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning Me." (Luke 24:44)
"But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, 'They hated Me without cause.'" (John 15:25)

And consider these:
"For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." (John 1:17)
"Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, 'We have found Him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.'" (John 1:45)
"Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;" (Rom 3:20-21)
"For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:" (Rom 8:3)
"Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith." (Gal 3:24)
"For He is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; having abolished in His flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinance; for to make in Himself of twain one new man, so making peace;" (Eph 2:14-15)
"For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God." (Heb 7:19)

And these:
"Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet..." (Matt 1:22)
"Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet..." (Matt 2:17)
"And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets.." (Matt 2:23)
"But He answered and said, 'It is written...'" (Matt 4:4)
"Jesus said unto him, 'It is written...'" (Matt 4:7)
"Then saith Jesus unto him, 'Get the hence, Satan: for it is written...'" (Matt 4:10)

And finally:
"For even Christ pleased not Himself: but, as it is written, 'The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.' For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope." (Rom 15:3-4)
"Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted." (1 Cor 10:6)
"Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come." (1 Cor 10:11)

In summation, let's consider what these verses have shown us. First, we see that the law was to be held in high regard, for it was God's law. We see the attitudes of David and others towards God's law. We see blessing for obedience.

Secondly, we see that the New Testament refers often to the writtings of the law, the prophets and the psalms. Jesus uses these to describe the reason for His coming. The writers of the New Testament use these to describe how Christ fulfilled them, and to point to the purpose of the law.

Finally, we see that the things in the Old Testament were written as examples for us. We are to learn from them. We are to avoid those mistakes they made. "Learn from the mistakes of others."

So, what is the conclusion of the matter? I believe that we can safely say that one of the most important aspects of the Old Testament, if not THE most important aspect, is that the Old Testament points to Christ. It is a collection of Divinely-inspired writings which direct our attention towards the coming Redeemer. Remember and hold on to that thought, for as we progress, I believe it will be vital in our understanding of the book of Ruth.

I am sorry for the brevity of coverage of this topic. I have taken a very eclectic sampling of verses to illustrate these points. It would take pages and pages to scratch the coating of the reasons behind the Old Testament. I'm sure that even Old Testament Survey classes barely break the surface of this vast reservoir of stupendous truth. Yet, since this is not an Old Testament survey, and pursuing this topic is not our undergirding purpose, I believe we have established a summarily brief foundation upon which to launch our study.